We're Going Back to the Poudre River June 21 - 23, 2024!

It's been several years but for 2024 CW is returning to the Poudre River for a great weekend of boating and comraderie. We will plan cruises for a variety of skill levels. As always, river weekends are not instructional events and are not suitable for those who have not had instruction or experience in whitewater kayaking or rafting. That said,  our friends at Rocky Mountain Adventures can offer instruction that weekend and rafting trips for friends or family that don't already boat. http://www.shoprma.com

CAMPING / REGISTRATION TYPES: Paul Radman is graciously letting us camp at his home right on the river. This is a private residence so be considerate. The address is 49 Hewlett Road, Bellevue CO 80512. This is just past Poudre Park. There is no cell service in the canyon so if your car doesn't have GPS be sure to look at a map before you come. There is room for some pickup/van campers and we're giving priority for these spots to approved cruise leaders and sweeps. We may open this up to others later. Most people will be walk-in tent camping with their cars parked on immediately adjacent forest service land. We are limiting the number of vehicles that will be allowed on site but have plenty of additional registration slots for those who either carpool or are day participants. To reiterate, If you want a pickup/van camping space you need to register for one and be approved to lead or sweep a cruise. Email Ryan Ness at ness.ryan@gmail.com to volunteer. Once those spaces are gone only walk-in tent camping is available. No sleeping is allowed on the forest service land, just parking vehicles.  We encourage car pooling. If you are doing so, one person should register for the vehicle spot and others should register as carpoolers. No camper trailers are allowed. Raft trailers are okay but will need to be parked on the forest service land.  

SOME GUIDELINES:

• Members Only / Registration: You must register in advance and be a Colorado Whitewater member to attend, regardless if you boating or are just camping. This includes significant others and children. There is no cell service at the camp so if you are not on the list you will have to go back to Fort Collins, join and/or register, and bring back evidence of that.
• Release Forms: Be sure you sign your annual waiver using this webpage. Colorado Whitewater - CW Release Waiver. Only need to sign once per year.
• Skills / Gear: As a reminder, river weekends are not instructional events and are not suitable for those who have not had instruction or experience in whitewater kayaking or rafting. Although we're all there to support one another, plan on boating within your skill level. Minimum necessary equipment for all boaters includes helmet, river shoes, type 3 or type 5 personal flotation device, and appropriate dry top or other layers. Kayakers should also have their float bags and skirt. Inflatable kayaks and rafts must be intended for whitewater use - not the vulnerable ones from department or sporting goods stores. 
• Fires: No wood burning fires are allowed. You can have propane fires and stoves at your individual campsites provided they do not damage our hosts' lawn, there are no fire restrictions in place prohibiting them, and they can be switched off if needed.
• Dogs: Our hosts welcome dogs as long as they're under your control and don't leave our camping area. If this means a leash for your dog, please keep them on a leash. We can't have dogs roaming onto neighbors' properties. You also cannot leave your dog tied up or in your tent while you go boating. Obviously, you have to pick up after your dog, too.
• Sunday Departure: We need to vacate Paul's on Sunday afternoon after boating. 

CRUISES: TBD but will include a spectrum of difficulty. I will have signup sheets for cruises at camp on Friday evening so you can see who is running what and if you can workout a carpool, go for it! We'll meet at 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday mornings to finalize cruises.  

Questions? Email Ryan Ness at ness.ryan@gmail.com. Include "Poudre River Weekend" in the subject line.