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SOAR Inflatable Canoes - Somewhere On A River
North Fork of the Gunnison River, Colorado
Photos by Marc W. McCord

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North Fork of the Gunnison River, Colorado

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The headwater is at Paonia State Park at the confluence of Muddy Creek and Anthracite Creek

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Information kiosk at Paonia State Park

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Looking downriver in low water at Paonia State Park

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Late-fall Colorado whitewater on the North Fork

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Late-fall Colorado whitewater on the North Fork

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Taking a break at the Somerset Access at the far end of River Road

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Looking downriver from the Somerset Access

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River-wide rock weir one-half mile below the Somerset Access

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Re-launching below the rock weir one-half mile below the Somerset Access

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A Class II- rapid between Somerset and Paonia

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The river flows clean, clear, cool and (usually) shallow between Somerset and Paonia

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Approaching the first SH 133 crossing below Somerset

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Looking at this relatively flat river, it is hard to imagine Black Canyon being just a few miles to the south

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Deadfall and overhanging tree crowns create potential strainers in fast currents on river bends

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Another Class II- rapid on the North Fork above Paonia

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The North Fork of the Gunnison is a beautiful place to canoe or kayak in southwestern Colorado

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Approaching Paonia, the river is more desirable in June than in November

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Approaching the SH 133 crossing just above Bowie

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The North Fork river channel is completely remote and undeveloped

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Approaching the Bowie coal mining operation between Somerset and Paonia

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The rail car coal loading operation at Bowie on river right

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Another small rapid on the North Fork between Bowie and Paonia

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The hills are getting lower (or else the river is rising ... substantially!)

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The small rapid above the railroad bridge just northeast of Paonia

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Approaching Paonia, the river is still wild and remote

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The rock weir at Paonia is definitely a place to line a boat in moderate to low water levels and a wild ride in higher flows

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Approaching the foot bridge just northeast of Paonia

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Close-up of the foot bridge just northeast of Paonia

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Paonia River Park landing on river left

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Looking down the path to the river at Paonia River Park

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Information kiosk at Paonia River Park

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Looking downriver from Paonia River Park

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Looking downriver from southwest Paonia

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The North Fork below Paonia in low water conditions

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Looking upriver from near the Gunnison River confluence

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The BLM Gunnison Forks Access on the North Fork just above the confluence

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The river widens and gets shallow near its mouth at the confluence

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BLM boat ramp at Gunnison Forks Access on the Gunnison River

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Looking toward the river from the BLM boat ramp at Gunnison Forks Access on the Gunnison River

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© September 23, 2002. All rights reserved.		 Last updated November 19, 2018

Copyright © 1997-2019, Marc W. McCord dba CobraGraphics. All rights reserved. Southwest Paddler, CobraGraphics and Canoeman River Guide Services are trademarks of Marc W. McCord dba CobraGraphics. The textual, graphic, audio, and audio/visual material in this site is protected by United States copyright law and international treaties. You may not copy, distribute, or use these materials except for your personal, non-commercial use. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All original photographs on this web site are the exclusive property of Marc W. McCord or other designated photographers and may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced, distributed or used in any manner without prior written permission under penalty of US and International laws and treaties.