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| Kayak | 3.76 Miles |
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| | Kayak | 3.76 Miles | 1 Hour 28 Mns | | 2.62 mph |
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| no partners | | This section of the refuge is called Topock Marsh - North Dike. It's the northernmost of the three put-ins for the 10-mile-long marsh. I went for a short paddle there, after work on New Year's Day. I was feeling tired and a little depressed. I had worked all morning at the front desk where I live. Since I had gone for an early morning walk, I could convince myself I'd had my exercise for the day, and it was hard to get myself going. Even when I got to the put-in at North Dike, I almost talked myself out of going because it was a little windy. Not so windy to be unsafe, just maybe a little annoying.
I got started anyway, after kicking myself several times for being lazy. I usually follow along the west side channel because it's free of those dead trees sticking up everywhere, but I decided to switch things up a bit and went over to the east side. There was an open channel that way, between the dead trees. I got over to an area where the white pelicans roost. There were four of them floating on the water. It was funny to see them simultaneously dip their heads down, and come up again, like a coordinated dance. Sometimes one or two of them would catch something in its bill. It would put its head back and flop its bill and swallow. I let the wind push me toward them, not paddling. I knew once they caught sight of me it would not be long before they'd fly away. I was able to get fairly close before they did take off. I didn't have my good camera with me, unfortunately, so the photos aren't that great. I'll bring it next time.
I also saw one or two osprey (maybe saw the same one twice). I saw a couple of great blue herons, a snowy egret, a great egret, and numerous coots. I didn't see any cormorants, which I usually see.
If anyone is visiting the area and wants to go kayaking, let me know. I may have time to paddle with you. I have a loaner boat, which is an Advanced Element Advanced Frame inflatable.
The water level in the river and the marsh are both kind of low right now. The marsh is man-made, and its water level is regulated by a series of ditches and gates. You can NOT paddle directly from the marsh into the Colorado River. There is a place on the southwest end of the marsh lake where you can portage to a channel that leads to the river, but ONLY when the river is higher than it is right now. When it's low you will be paddling on the mudflats. (Been there, done that, got stuck!) Google Earth is very useful in figuring out the marsh. All of the maps are out of date and show water where there is no water. When looking at my GPS route, switch it to satellite.
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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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