Brooklyn Lake, Lake Marie, and Saratoga
Brooklyn Lake
Short Description: This is a relaxing trip that takes us over the Snowy Range and into Saratoga. We first paddle around Brooklyn Lake Friday evening and camp at the lake. Saturday morning, after breakfast, we drive over to Lake Marie. Next we drive to Saratoga and drop our boats at the put-in near the hot springs. After the float, we will go to the hot springs to soak and then drive to Hog Park Reservoir. Participants can do all or any part of these activities.
Date: Friday afternoon or evening, September 18, 2015, meet at Brooklyn Lake.
Rating: Class I flatwater, everyone is welcome. We will have to to carry the boats about 100-200 yards from our cars to Brooklyn lake. The North Platte River is very low. You will have to step out of your boat occasionally in shallow areas, especially in town at the start. Then you have to paddle down the river, as the current is almost non-existent. You can skip the river float if you don't want to scratch your boat. The North Platte at this time of year is very pretty. The water is clear and you can see the bottom in most places. I highly recommend doing the river float, but I realize that some people don't enjoy low water floating.
Wyoming Decal: If you are floating a boat in Wyoming, you need to purchase an invasive species decal. Only inflatables of 10 feet or less are exempt. You can purchase the decal for $15.00 at this link or at any store in Wyoming that sells fishing licenses.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/AIS-Decal
If you order online, you need to have a printer so you can print a receipt that is good for 15 days. They will mail you the actual decal within 10 days. We were checked on the North Platte river once. You need a separate sticker for each boat you float in Wyoming. The money goes to trying to keep invasive species out of Wyoming.
Wyoming Inspection: All boats have to stop and be inspected as they enter the state during the summer months. That includes canoes and kayaks. The inspection stations are only open certain hours, so you will have to plan your trips accordingly. This will affect all floats on the North Platte. If you plan on driving up 287 to Laramie, then the inspection station is at the Port of Entry, 1 mile south of Laramie.
More information is available at:
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/AIS-Inspection-Locations
Short Description: This is a relaxing trip that takes us over the Snowy Range and into Saratoga. We first paddle around Brooklyn Lake Friday evening and camp at the lake. Saturday morning, after breakfast, we drive over to Lake Marie. Next we drive to Saratoga and drop our boats at the put-in near the hot springs. After the float, we will go to the hot springs to soak and then drive to Hog Park Reservoir. Participants can do all or any part of these activities.
Date: Friday afternoon or evening, September 18, 2015, meet at Brooklyn Lake.
Rating: Class I flatwater, everyone is welcome. We will have to to carry the boats about 100-200 yards from our cars to Brooklyn lake. The North Platte River is very low. You will have to step out of your boat occasionally in shallow areas, especially in town at the start. Then you have to paddle down the river, as the current is almost non-existent. You can skip the river float if you don't want to scratch your boat. The North Platte at this time of year is very pretty. The water is clear and you can see the bottom in most places. I highly recommend doing the river float, but I realize that some people don't enjoy low water floating.
Wyoming Decal: If you are floating a boat in Wyoming, you need to purchase an invasive species decal. Only inflatables of 10 feet or less are exempt. You can purchase the decal for $15.00 at this link or at any store in Wyoming that sells fishing licenses.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/AIS-Decal
If you order online, you need to have a printer so you can print a receipt that is good for 15 days. They will mail you the actual decal within 10 days. We were checked on the North Platte river once. You need a separate sticker for each boat you float in Wyoming. The money goes to trying to keep invasive species out of Wyoming.
Wyoming Inspection: All boats have to stop and be inspected as they enter the state during the summer months. That includes canoes and kayaks. The inspection stations are only open certain hours, so you will have to plan your trips accordingly. This will affect all floats on the North Platte. If you plan on driving up 287 to Laramie, then the inspection station is at the Port of Entry, 1 mile south of Laramie.
More information is available at:
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Prevention/AIS-Inspection-Locations
Itinerary:
All activities are optional. You can pick and choose. Times are approximate.
Friday Afternoon: We will meet at the Brooklyn Lake campground on Friday afternoon or evening. You can arrive anytime. From Fort Collins, take 287 to Laramie, Wyoming, get on I-80 west and exit immediately on the Snowy Range Road. It is the first exit. There is a Subway and McDonald's if you need
food. Go west on Highway 130 to Centennial, Wyoming. Then continue 8 miles west of Centennial on 130 and turn right onto NF-317. Follow 317 for 2 miles to the Brooklyn Lake campground. There are 19 sites and the cost is $10.00 to camp. If there are not enough sites available at Brooklyn Lake campground, we can camp at Nash Fork Campground which is 1/4 mile off of Highway 130 on NF-317. We drive by it on the way in to Brooklyn Lake. It has 27 sites. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Fort Collins to Brooklyn Lake Campground.
Saturday Morning: Leave Brooklyn Lake and head west on Highway 130. Stop at the Libby Flats Observation Point. Then stop at the parking lot to the west of Lake Marie. We can look at the lake and decide if we want to float depending on the wind and weather.
All activities are optional. You can pick and choose. Times are approximate.
Friday Afternoon: We will meet at the Brooklyn Lake campground on Friday afternoon or evening. You can arrive anytime. From Fort Collins, take 287 to Laramie, Wyoming, get on I-80 west and exit immediately on the Snowy Range Road. It is the first exit. There is a Subway and McDonald's if you need
food. Go west on Highway 130 to Centennial, Wyoming. Then continue 8 miles west of Centennial on 130 and turn right onto NF-317. Follow 317 for 2 miles to the Brooklyn Lake campground. There are 19 sites and the cost is $10.00 to camp. If there are not enough sites available at Brooklyn Lake campground, we can camp at Nash Fork Campground which is 1/4 mile off of Highway 130 on NF-317. We drive by it on the way in to Brooklyn Lake. It has 27 sites. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Fort Collins to Brooklyn Lake Campground.
Saturday Morning: Leave Brooklyn Lake and head west on Highway 130. Stop at the Libby Flats Observation Point. Then stop at the parking lot to the west of Lake Marie. We can look at the lake and decide if we want to float depending on the wind and weather.
Lake Marie
Saturday Afternoon: We take highway 130 west until it intersects with highway 230. Turn right at the intersection and go to Saratoga. Go east on East Walnut Avenue and follow it to the river. Those that want to float will drop off their boats and drive the shuttle to Foote Campground. The float is about 6 miles on the river. You will have to get out at times because the water is very low, especially in town. Those who don't want to float can enjoy the hot springs, spend some time in Saratoga, and then drive to Hog Park Reservoir. The steps going into the hot springs can be slippery, so be careful.
Those driving the shuttle, go back to 230 and head north. Turn left at the road to Foote Campground. The boat launch is on the south and the campground is to the north. Go to the boat launch. We will be able to see our cars so we don't float past the take-out. Then the drivers will get into one car and return to Saratoga. The float will take around 2-3 hours. It is hard to tell. You will have to paddle as the current is slow.
After the float, you can go to the hot springs and then drive to Hog Park Campground or head for home.
Saturday afternoon or evening: We will camp Saturday night at the Hog Park Reservoir Campground. From Saratoga, head south on 230 to Riverside. Take 70 west to 550. Go south on 550. Take 550 to 496. Take 496 to 4961E. Follow it to the campground. Hopefully there will be signs. I have never been to this reservoir before.
Contact: If you have any questions, contact Roger Faaborg, [email protected], 970 669 4182
Things to remember: PFDs, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket, rain suit, water, snacks, rubber boots or water shoes, swim suit for the hot springs and
dry clothing. People who float the river will have to step out of their boats and need the appropriate shoes or boots. It will be cold in the mountains around Brooklyn Lake, but should be warm in Saratoga.
Some Phone Numbers:
Platte Valley Medical Clinic, 1208 S. River Street, (307) 326-8381
Saratoga Police, 110 E. Spring, (307) 326-8316
Saratoga, towing, Herold Iron Works, 1004 S. River Street, (307) 326-8800
Walden, towing, North Park Towing, 970-723-4768
Laramie, towing, L & W Towing, (307) 745 8316
Fort Collins, towing, Kramer & Houston Towing, 970-493-3375
Those driving the shuttle, go back to 230 and head north. Turn left at the road to Foote Campground. The boat launch is on the south and the campground is to the north. Go to the boat launch. We will be able to see our cars so we don't float past the take-out. Then the drivers will get into one car and return to Saratoga. The float will take around 2-3 hours. It is hard to tell. You will have to paddle as the current is slow.
After the float, you can go to the hot springs and then drive to Hog Park Campground or head for home.
Saturday afternoon or evening: We will camp Saturday night at the Hog Park Reservoir Campground. From Saratoga, head south on 230 to Riverside. Take 70 west to 550. Go south on 550. Take 550 to 496. Take 496 to 4961E. Follow it to the campground. Hopefully there will be signs. I have never been to this reservoir before.
Contact: If you have any questions, contact Roger Faaborg, [email protected], 970 669 4182
Things to remember: PFDs, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket, rain suit, water, snacks, rubber boots or water shoes, swim suit for the hot springs and
dry clothing. People who float the river will have to step out of their boats and need the appropriate shoes or boots. It will be cold in the mountains around Brooklyn Lake, but should be warm in Saratoga.
Some Phone Numbers:
Platte Valley Medical Clinic, 1208 S. River Street, (307) 326-8381
Saratoga Police, 110 E. Spring, (307) 326-8316
Saratoga, towing, Herold Iron Works, 1004 S. River Street, (307) 326-8800
Walden, towing, North Park Towing, 970-723-4768
Laramie, towing, L & W Towing, (307) 745 8316
Fort Collins, towing, Kramer & Houston Towing, 970-493-3375
We float from Saratoga to Foote Campground