Gunnison River Festival, great water levels, sailing, rafting, boating & more

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (June 4, 2013) — Experiencing high-country mountain streams and lakes is easy for hard-core athletes, weekend warriors and families in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado. Not only is the area known for outstanding rafting and kayaking ranging from scenic Class I to fast-paced whitewater Class IV on the Gunnison and Taylor Rivers, there are options galore for taking part during Gunnison River Festival, enjoying premiere boating and sailing on Blue Mesa and Taylor Reservoirs and trying tricks at Gunnison Whitewater Park.

“The water levels this summer are ideal for rafting and kayaking. They will be favorable for fishing as well, once we are past the run-off period; even now the Taylor River is fishing well and we are guiding trips every day,” says Mark Schumacher, owner of Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting in Almont. “Taylor River Road construction is now complete, and there are all-new river accesses for fishing and rafting. It’s easier than ever to get on the Taylor River.”

Gunnison River Festival, June 19 – 22

The 12th annual Gunnison River Festival is a unique blend of hardcore and lighthearted outdoor recreation for all ages on June 19 – 22. The event kicks off on Thursday, June 19 with a concert featuring Bonnie and The Clydes and registration at I Bar Ranch. Food and beverages are available starting at 5:30 p.m. and attendees can fly fish on Tomichi Creek before the concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on I Bar Ranch’s website.

Festival happenings continue June 20 with a community float/paddle to Gunnison Whitewater Park, location of an authentic fish fry at 5:30 p.m. Participants are invited to bring guitars, banjos, mandolins and drums for a jam session on the banks of the Gunnison River. The cost is $13 per person. Microbrews from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the festival sponsor, will be served.

For a full slate of river activities, water lovers should head to Gunnison Whitewater Park on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. A canine big air competition, Kayak Boater X, inflatable whitewater rodeo, and hooligan build-your-own boat race (or King of the Wave if water levels are high) are planned, and a floaty boat race and a kids’ zone with entertaining and educational options are available for youth. The day wraps up with a celebration at Gunnison Arts Center with a water-themed art exhibition, river film series with “Dam-Nation,” silent auction and more.

On Sunday, the festival moves to nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area for a one-mile open water swim at Blue Mesa Reservoir at 9 a.m. and the Taylor River near Almont for a kayak competition, competitive down river raft race and Gene Taylor’s Bridge to Bridge fly fishing tournament.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.gunnisonriverfestival or call (970) 210-1777. Pre-registration for all events is at Gunnison Community Center, 200 E. Spencer, starting June 2 or at the I Bar Ranch concert on June 19.

Rafting & Kayaking

Whitewater enthusiasts have been floating the lower Taylor River, offering I to IV class waters, and the Gunnison River, providing class I to III options, for years. Various types and lengths of trips on rafts, kayaks and Duckies are available through two experienced area outfitters Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting and Scenic River Tours. Fishing, zip lines, rock climbing and lodging are additional options offered by these outfitters.

Sailing

Nautilus Sailing offers sailing instruction and certification on Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and part of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Consistent southwesterly winds that begin building in the morning provide ideal sailing conditions on this picturesque mountain lake that has 96 miles of shoreline to explore and encompasses 41,972 acres.

Boating

The marinas at Blue Mesa Reservoir offer pontoon boats, aluminum fishing boats, kayaks, standup paddle boards and fishing gear to rent. Make sure to take time and enjoy a meal or snacks on the deck of Pappy’s at Elk Creek Marina, which overlooks Blue Mesa. Also check out the campsites operated byCurecanti National Recreation Area.

Let someone else do the driving on a Morrow Point Boat Tour, a 1-1/2 hour journey on the Gunnison River past waterfalls, stunning spires and the dramatic cliffs of Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The tour guide is a national park ranger who shares interesting history and facts about the area. Tours on the 42-passenger pontoon run twice a day, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., every day except Tuesdays from now through Labor Day. A walk up and down a long flight of stairs and an easy, picturesque hike (3/4 mile each way) on a wide trail along the Gunnison River to the boat dock is required. The cost is $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations and prepayment are required; call (970) 641-2337, ext. 205.

Located at an elevation of 9,300 feet, Taylor Park Reservoir is a quiet and beautiful paradise for fishing, boating and camping. Taylor Park Marina has a fleet pontoon and fishing boats available for rent. The marina also has fishing tackle, provisions, a deli and grill, and more. There are cabins and camping and RV sites in Taylor Park or stay in lodging properties in the Almont area.

Rafting, Dining & Family Fun Packages

Combine a half day of rafting with Scenic River Tours on the Gunnison River and Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Adventure Park (chairlift rides, climbing wall, bungee trampolines and miniature golf) for only $70 adults for adults and $50 for kids 10 and under. This Family Fun Package is available through Scenic River Tours from June 15 – Sept. 1, 2014.

Raft the Gunnison River with Three Rivers Outfitting on June 20 for Gunnison River Festival’s kickoff fish fry. Sit back and relax on this scenic ride to Gunnison Whitewater Park for dinner with this Raft & Fish Fry for $30 deal.

Enjoy the area’s only dinner cruise, Rocky Mountain style! Start at Three Rivers Resort in Almont by 4 p.m. and enjoy a 10-mile scenic float trip on the Gunnison River to Garlic Mike’s Restaurant for a delicious Italian dinner. The total time required is approximately three hours. Garlic Mike’s Float ‘n Dine is available seven nights a week during the summer with at least 24 hours notice and a minimum of four people. The cost is $68 per person and includes the float trip, vehicle shuttle and a voucher for Garlic Mike’s.