America’s national parks are seeing more visitors in 2009 than a year earlier, according to visitation information collected by the National Park Service. In the first half of 2009, national park units experienced 127,728,898 visits, an increase of nearly 4.5 million visits over the same period in 2008. In June alone, visitation to national parks increased by more than 718,000 visits from 2008.
Whitewater at its wildest.
The Colorado whitewater classic known as Timberline Gore Canyon returns to the Colorado River between Kremmling and the Pumphouse Recreation Area for the wildest boat race of the summer at noon Saturday. Would-be campers should note that camping at Pumphouse on Friday and Saturday is reserved for the event. Wildwater race divisions on the Class V course include rafts, kayaks (in three length divisions), creature crafts, shredders and riverboards. Spectators are asked to respect railroad property closures on river right and access the course via boat or the hiking trail upstream from the campground on river left. Contact Lisa from Timberline Tours at 970-390-4481 or visit for registration info.
Meet at Moab.
There’s still time for adventure racers to register for the inaugural Kokopelli Challenge Adventure Weekend in Moab over Labor Day weekend. Participants can choose from a 30-mile downriver kayak race Sept. 4, a 24-hour adventure race Sept. 5 and the Moab Xstream Off-Road Triathlon on Sept. 7, or combine all three to be eligible for the overall Kokopelli Challenge. For detailed information about the Kokopelli Challenge race registration process, visit or call the race hotline at 970-259-7771.
Good as gold.
Three Colorado masters women cyclists brought home a total of 10 gold medals from the Summer National Senior Games in Palo Alto, Calif. Marsha Macro dominated all four of her races in the women’s 65-69 age class, including 5K and 10K time trials and 20K and 30K road races. Eleanor Hamre of Longmont won gold in the 70-74 age class in the 5K and 10K time trials, silver in the 30K road race and bronze in the 20K. Elizabeth Bramhall, from Boulder, raced unopposed in the 85-89 age class.
White, Clark shine.
Olympic halfpipe champions Shaun White of Carlsbad, Calif., and Kelly Clark of Mount Snow, Vt., dropped in for their first wins of the snowboard season at the Burton New Zealand Open on Saturday. White debuted his new cab double-corked 1080 with a stalefish grab as one of two highly technical off-axis spins in his victory.
Summer sailing.
Registration is underway for the Denver Sailing Association’s Junior Regatta at Cherry Creek Reservoir on Aug. 29. A limited number of boats are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve in advance by calling Steven Frank at 303-757-7718.
Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
