What's out West?

[Mason]

Diablo does maintain a jolly 50F water temperature all summer long. Ross tops out in the lower 60's.. We got surprised by 30mph winds on Diablo that came up with no warning - steep 2-1/2 ft waves, it was a struggle to get to shore right side up. The NPS campground registration system for Ross takes no account of the fact that you might get windbound. As pretty as it is, it was one of the most bullsh*t canoeing experiences I've ever had, and not because of the weather. There's better places to paddle than that.

I paddled the length of Ross over 40 years ago, one trip starting from the north in BC and getting about half way (weekend trips), and once starting from the south on Diablo with the truck portage around the dam. The winds on Diablo can be troublesome (wish that I was tandem instead of two solos). But, 40 years ago (with a youthful perspective) the world was a different place. We had a good time.