So here's a steelhead idea?

I just talked with the Skunk Train lady and get this:  They will sell me a 10 person 'commuter' ticket to where we get off for $56.  For an additional 50 bucks they will follow the train with their "speeder" loaded with all the gear.  We can have the train and the speeder stop at the cabin, unload the gear, and continue on up to our put-in.  So ten guys with all their gear moved for 106 bucks - That sounds absurdly cheap to me.  Like ten bucks apiece.

So, I'm gonna find out more on the condition of the cabin, but I think this is a go.  I'll post a tentative weekend soon.  Man, I think you could get a lot of beer in a speeder.



Dave

Sweet Deal, I would be up for kayaking or crewing for the rest if it works out!

So here's a pic of the cabin.  i haven't been there yet, but I heard its funky inside.  We're supposed to fix it up this summer.

So here's a pic of the cabin.  i haven't been there yet, but I heard its funky inside.  We're supposed to fix it up this summer.

Nice looking cabin!  Wish I can be there to help yuo guys fixing/breaking it 

I used to paddle whitewater regularly, and the Skunk-Harbor shuttle on the Noyo was always tempting, but the problem was then (15 years ago anyway) they didn't take hardshells, only inflatables. That was if you were trying to board as an regular tourist/customer, it might be different if you booked an entire run...

I think some buddies did eventually do it, I seem to remember they said there were strainers, but otherwise boring from a whitewater standpoint. Also the railroad ran alongside the river, which depending on your aesthetics might be good or bad.

I think Jeff/Cate have some experience on that stretch:
http://www.liquidfusionkayak.com/

and checkout their blog on paddling the SF Noyo

http://liquidfusionkayak.blogspot.com/

And this writeup:

http://www.cacreeks.com/noyo.htm/
mike

Sounds cool!  Keep us posted.  

Mike, i asked Jeff and Cate if they wanted to join us.  They haven't got back to me yet.   Yeah,  you're right, the Noyo is not a whitewater river, but that makes it good for what we want to do.  We'll go when the flow is low enough so we can avoid strainers.

It getting more excititng all the time Dave. My caper is all ready to go.

Sounds like an AWESOME trip guys!!!  Make sure to video it

I have fished the Noyo multiple times back in the late nineties and early 2000s when I was still in the BSA.  The train would drop us off at the old camp just above the dam.  I remember it being fantastic trout fishing at the right flow and time of year.  I might be able to do this trip, but the only kayak I have is my inflatable whitewater self-bailer.  I remember the train costing around 50 bucks per person or something silly like that.  Either way, I'd LOVE to go.

Thats a sweet deal!

So I'm thinking the weekend of the 22nd or the 29th.  The train doesn't start running until the 15th. 

january?

So I'm thinking the weekend of the 22nd or the 29th.  The train doesn't start running until the 15th. 

I'm in Dave!

Any worries that could be a Hanta-Hut?  (hantavirus concerns with the small mammals?)

I'm in Dave!

Any worries that could be a Hanta-Hut?  (hantavirus concerns with the small mammals?)

I guess.  It hasn't been used in a year or two - but I'm friends with the former owner and he's nearly 80.  he's healthy.  I'm going out there in the next couple of days.