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| | CC Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge), AZ | | | |
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CC Cragin Reservoir (Blue Ridge), AZ
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| Kayak | 6.08 Miles |
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| | Kayak | 6.08 Miles | 3 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.04 mph |
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| no partners | | This turned out to be a rather exciting day. There was a fire, and everyone was evacuated from the lake!
It started out as a normal morning paddle. I decided to go up the arm of the lake near the dam, since I had not been to the end of that arm on my previous trip here. I passed a large group of young teens swimming and canoeing at one little cove. They were having a blast. I kept on, and going around a corner I saw smoke and then heard active flames. Rounding the bend I saw a fire in progress. I thought it was part of the managed fire that was going on in the area. I took photos and paddled on. I didn't see anyone.
I got up to the end of that arm. Since the lake is at only 25% capacity right now, you can see on my GPS route that it potentially could go much further. It was very muddy at the end, so I didn't try to get out of the boat, I just turned around and went back. On my way, I heard people talking on the ridge next to that fire. Rounding a bend almost back to the ramp I ran across 4 other paddlers and stopped to chat.
Pretty soon a motorboat with the words "Arizona State Fire" stenciled on the side approached us. The uniformed Forest Service ranger aboard the boat asked us to please head back to the ramp because there would be a helicopter in the area soon, and he wanted everyone off the lake.
When I got back to the ramp it was very crowded. I had to bring my car down to get my boat. If you've ever been there you know what that ramp is like. It's a very rocky dirt road that goes down the edge of a cliff. It was cluttered with vehicles of people trying to take out, and Forest Service vehicles.
The Sikorsky Sky Crane helicopter showed up, but didn't take on water within view of the ramp.
Pretty soon the Blue Ridge Hot Shots bus turned up, and the Hot Shots, in single file, walked down the ramp. They were shuttled in small groups by the same boat we'd seen before. I finally got my boat de-rigged and onto my car and left the area.
It was a nice day to paddle, with a little bit of unexpected excitement at the end! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Scarlett Penstemon. |
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CC Cragin Reservoir |
1-25% full |
1-25% full |
| | | I'm told the reservoir is at 25% capacity right now. It still has plenty of water in it to enjoy paddling. The Coconino Sandstone layers that are exposed by the low water are very interesting. | | _____________________
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
