Echo Gets New Launch Ramp

[Echo Lodge]

This just in.... New launch ramp will be finished in 2 weeks!

Sent via Android!

 

[NicPaus]

The big question is will it be 2 wheel drive friendly. Saw the CAT when I left. This is the pic I just got sent from the neighbor. No more driving to Rockhouse for some I hope:thumbsup

 

[NicPaus]

I would of thought they would do it in winter when the water level is lowered for dock and ramp repairs. That way they can slope it out further so not the huge incline.

 

[coz]

I would of thought they would do it in winter when the water level is lowered for dock and ramp repairs. That way they can slope it out further so not the huge incline.

If they do it like they did ours up river, they'll form it up on dry land slide/crane the form into place and pump the concrete while it's under water.

 

[linus3]

This is the kind of shit that can get out of hand Eric. A new ramp at Echo, come on.....who dumped all the dirt blocking the ramp, clearly photo-shopped. Im not falling for your sick jokes anymore......

 

[Chris231g]

That is GREAT news....

 

[Marko]

Got a couple calls about this this weekend and one was from Laura so its true!!! :thumbsup

 

[Echo Lodge]

What's the over under for the rent increase next year? $20? $40?

Sent via Android!

 

[Riverjunkie42]

I would love a real launch ramp at our park but its so close to the rockhouse that it probably doesn't matter. Houses are also in the way and Emerald Cove has one as well but I would never use that one.

 

[SLOPOKE]

I would call Photo Chop too If I haddent seen it with my own eves.

 

[vee-driven]

It's true, i was oficially the last person to use the old launch ramp this morning, they started ripping it up when i was pulling out.

 

[linus3]

What's the over under for the rent increase next year? $20? $40?

Sent via Android!

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe we should grab one of those old cement bags they dropped in years ago and mount it in Paradise.

 

[500bbc]

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe we should grab one of those old cement bags they dropped in years ago and mount it in Paradise.

:hmm Wouldn't you get an indecent exposure for that?

 

[rlemn8r]

Thats great news. Wonder if they are going to extend it farther into the water also???

 

[linus3]

Eric to the red phone, any update pics. Wondering if it is going to be 2WD Tahoe friendly.

 

[BKinSoCal]

I think the only way they can truly make that happen is if they stop the sand from swirling around from the beach and getting washed onto the ramp. That would mean extending the wall on the downriver side, which I would guess isn't going to happen.

Plus, for your boat, I would think you would need the ramp to be extended out about 6'. I know my trailer wheels go right to the edge when I launch at Echo and your boat has 5' on mine.

 

[River Express]

The way people haul ass around that bend.... I shudder to think about the possibility of boat t-bone at that section. Boats loitering waiting for the ramp or someone launching and backing down into the path of a go fast.

 

[linus3]

Like the accident Fathers Day. Rock House it will be then. Water is warmer down there anyway.

 

[BKinSoCal]

The water is warmer? What, 1/2 a degree? Let me get you some Vagisil

 

[linus3]

Little birdie told me part of the wall fell down due to digging......

 

[linus3]

FYI, little guy trip for Bobs B-Day Sept 30, Oct 1& 2 if you locals can make it. Im sure we can find something to do.

 

[Riverjunkie42]

The way people haul ass around that bend.... I shudder to think about the possibility of boat t-bone at that section. Boats loitering waiting for the ramp or someone launching and backing down into the path of a go fast.

Echo Lodge has some of the worst RIVER LICE around. Plus the whole park is on a curve along the river, so its always interesting going through there on weekends.

 

[linus3]

I concur, had a close call with a mom and her small child cut in front of me doing 40 ish. Damn near clipped them. :thumbsdown

 

[Echo Lodge]

FYI, little guy trip for Bobs B-Day Sept 30, Oct 1& 2 if you locals can make it. Im sure we can find something to do.

I might be able to swing it!

 

[vee-driven]

Anyone gonna post up some current pics of the construction?

 

[Echo Lodge]

Tell luscious to send us some pics!

 

[linus3]

:thumbsup

I might be able to swing it!

 

[NicPaus]

unloading the cart now. Will go get some updated pics.

 

[NicPaus]

So I went down to check it out. Some of the shoddiest work I have ever seen. I could of done a better job in 2 weeks with my little CAT. They have some big equipment for how slow they are going. Looks like they ran out of rebar. There mesh is in the dirt and they have a small army that could easily do this right. Very disappointing. As far as extending further looks like they cut it back to me. They are pouring some side walk type deal on side maybe to dock to? I will get more pics later they started to get mad when I was taking pics and making comments.

 

[NicPaus]

I did a little asking. The ramp will be better than before and 2 wheel drive should be no problem. The work quality is not the best but its not from a Contractor. Its the parks crew doing the work. What to be expected in Parker. They have tried for years to get it replaced and it will be better than before. Lots of traction to say the least

 

[linus3]

Thanks for the pics. So is it safe to say that the years of hearing that the Army Corp of Engineering and BLM holding up the project was BS.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Thanks for the update!

 

[NicPaus]

Thanks for the pics. So is it safe to say that the years of hearing that the Army Corp of Engineering and BLM holding up the project was BS.

From what he told me it was there main holdup for almost 15 years now. All the big equipment is theres he said except cement truck and pump. I thought it was a concrete company so I was very skeptical on there work. Turns out it is the parks crew feel bad bashing there concrete skills after talking with the boss. Glad they are trying to make it work for 2 wheel drive owners in the park:thumbsup

 

[linus3]

The pitch looks good. How far out into the water does it go. Does it look far enough for longer stuff. :thumbsup

 

[NicPaus]

The pitch looks good. How far out into the water does it go. Does it look far enough for longer stuff. :thumbsup

Does not look as far out as before but they brought it way in to keep from launching right into current. Pitch is sloped out good. The storm gave them problems tuesday and they said they plan on pouring more further out. Wish they new about cold joints when it comes to concrete. Either way you wont have to go to rock house anymore if you have 2 wd.:thumbsup I will get more pics tomorrow. They said ramp should be done yomorrow just have to finish wall that got knocked over on down river side after that.

 

[Rivergirlz]

Progress was slowed for awhile when they learned a water main went through the ramp wall (they broke it digging). Water was out in park for a whole day. Cement is very wavy and uneven but big grippy divets anout 2" deep in it should help you two wheel drive guys. I don't know if I will be able to use new ramp since the river is less than 3 feet deep behind the ramp. Looks way better than before either way.

 

[linus3]

Great, another good looking ramp that I cant use.......

 

[Rivergirlz]

Too Muddy, can't get pics under water or report on how deep the new ramp goes

 

[linus3]

thanks for the pics. :thumbsup

 

[Echo Lodge]

Progress was slowed for awhile when they learned a water main went through the ramp wall (they broke it digging). Water was out in park for a whole day. Cement is very wavy and uneven but big grippy divets anout 2" deep in it should help you two wheel drive guys. I don't know if I will be able to use new ramp since the river is less than 3 feet deep behind the ramp. Looks way better than before either way.

So good luck launching in the winter time or low water Thursdays?

 

[NicPaus]

So good luck launching in the winter time or low water Thursdays?

From what Denny told me they were going to pour more yet further out. The storm last tuesday increased water flow from 1600-2200 and raised river so they could not pour it further out. my main concern is all the cold joints with no steel to tie them together. The ramp also starts in the middle of the road so backing in large boats wont be easy. Looks like a 24' boat and truck would not be able to pull in turn out and back down. Will have to turn down ramp from road then use turn out once boat trailer is on ramp.

 

[Rivergirlz]

Today's progress...looks like they are wrapping up....maybe

They poured about 4-6" on top of the old ramp so now big boats (like ours) will have less water to launch in. Seems to end where the old ramp ended. Wonder if we get more ramp on dock repair week? Hope so or it's still Rock House for us. Will be great for smaller boats and jet skis.

Beautiful day at the river today. 110 and all sun.

 

[Rivergirlz]

Here's our new wall and I'm standing with my heels at the end of the concrete(soft mud left over from temp. dam after that).

 

[linus3]

Please tell me your not standing at the end of the ramp.

 

[cjbuilder1]

"A" for effort but it appears that there will be a loss of depth without going off the "end" IMHO

 

[Rivergirlz]

I was actually very sad about it. I was excited about being able to use a ramp at Echo. I hate driving to Rock House. There is a part of the ramp about 10 feet out that is a foot deeper, then at the end it gets more shallow. Concrete ended there. Too mucky to be able to tell if there is anything beyond that. Where I am standing is where they stopped pouring. Then it's very soft mud. This was taken at about 4PM so the water is up pretty good too.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Too bad..... I hope they do an additional pour and take the ramp out another 10 feet.

 

[BKinSoCal]

Based on Shirl's last picture, the only thing that will be able to be launched there will be flatties and SeaDoos/WaveRunners.

Looks like it was a nice effort, but a poor execution. I hope they make it right when the water level goes down so the ramp will be useable for more than I listed above.

 

[NicPaus]

If your still out there. Go ask Jeff or Denny if they are finished? From what I was told they had planned to pour further out. Water level rose from rain and they released more than planned from dam. Had to pull out 4 boats Sunday from beach and it was easier than are old ramp. Extend this one and say bye bye to launching at Rockhouse for all with 2wd. Wait maybe thats a bad idea I have never had to wait to launch at Echo

 

[Echo Lodge]

I just got my yearly bill for my space rent and the price......... Did not go up!