CURECANTI NP

1st June San Juan Skyway Drive

We set off from Cortez along Route 145 which is part of the San Juan Skyway Drive.  The full drive is a very picturesque circular loop, of 232 miles, joining Route 62, 550 and 160 and would normally pass through Durango but we were advised that a portion, known as the Million Dollar Road, is not suitable for RVs.

 

So our route took us up through the San Juan Mountains with 14000ft peaks still covered with snow. 

 We turned left at Montrose and passed the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River NP.  The road was very twisty and we gained and lost elevation several times.  Elk Creek campground is within the Curecanti National Recreation Area – right next to a lake, created as a reservoir, fed by the Gunnison River.

Paul got the kayak out ready for a trip on the lake.  He discovered more chewed paper in the cupboard – evidence from the mouse that travelled with us – hopefully it had not chewed the kayak!

2nd June Blue Mesa Reservoir

We spent most of the day on the lake of the Blue Mesa Reservoir which is 20 miles long.  We saw again the effects of water shortage, even up here in the Rockies.   The lake is around 48% full: with a drop in water level of nearly 50ft.  We could see bare land and rocks which were covered in water 5 years ago.  We stopped on the shore line for coffee and lunch.  We almost had the place to ourselves with only 3 or 4 motor boats passing further out in the lake.  Paul fished from the kayak.  He caught a few but they managed to jump off the barbless hook – no fish for dinner tonight then!

We stopped again on a shore across the lake for an afternoon drink.  Suddenly we got a face full of sand.  The wind had suddenly picked up.  We were about to board the kayak when a gust lifted the kayak out of the water; luckily Paul was holding onto it.  We headed home immediately – which meant paddling across the lake into the wind! We got home tired but had had a very enjoyable time.

3rd June Morrow Point Reservoir

We drove to Pine Creek for a guided boat trip down the Morrow Point Reservoir which took us through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  The Gunnison River has three dams creating three consecutive reservoirs.  Blue Mesa serves as the main storage reservoir.  Morrow Point Dam generates most of the power and Crystal Dam maintains an even flow through the rest of the canyon.

 

 

The initial walk down to the boat took us along an old railway line, as there used to be a narrow gauge (3ft) railway right through the canyon until 1949.  Most of it is now under water.

Along the way we came across a bush loaded with caterpillars.

 

Once on board we floated along with rock faces rising up around 1000ft either side.  Chipeta Falls is now a waterfall of 140ft but used to fall for 200ft before

the water level was raised.

We saw geese and four goslings, some ducks and a mink on the far shore. 

 

As we neared Kokanee Bay, where the boat was to turn around, Paul spotted a log floating in the water – only the log was moving across the lake at a steady pace …………… it was a black bear!!!

 

A bear was swimming across the canyon from one shore to the other. It was a strong swimmer and kept a straight line all the way.  Our boat pulled up nearby and we watched it get out, water pouring off its fur, and it ran off into the bushes. 

 

It was really exciting and the highlight of the day.

We sat by the lake and had lunch, then headed back to camp for a rest and get things put away ready for our move in the morning.