Colorado River & Trail Expeditions will be running a Dory and Music trip July 5-16, 2015 through Utah’s Canyonlands. The trip will start at Loma, Colorado near the Utah/Colorado Stateline. The trip will follow the Colorado River through Ruby, Horsethief, Westwater, and Cataract Canyons before ending at the headwaters of Lake Powell. The trip will be hosted by boat builder and musician Andy Hutchinson; and famous historian, author, and boat builder Brad Dimock. This should be the perfect trip for those who have always wanted to experience the Colorado River above the Grand Canyon in the sleek style and feel of a Dory. In addition to the rapids and river scenery, the schedule should allow for plenty of time for off-river hiking and exploration. Camp time will be filled with stories, history, music, and campfires. The trip is priced at $2995.00/person with round trip transportation provided from Green River, UT. Below is a rough itinerary for the trip. As of today, there are 8 spaces available.
Day 1:
We will get an early start and drive from Green River, Utah to Loma, Colorado where we will be fitted with life jackets, given a safety orientation, and introduced to the guides. Shortly after we will push off on the mighty Colorado River. Right away we will be in Horsethief Canyon. Camp will be set up at Mee Corner.
Day 2:
We will leave Horsethief Canyon and then enter Ruby Canyon. The camp will be set-up in the Black Rocks section.
Day 3:
Around lunchtime, we will say our goodbyes to our Adventure Bound guide and support raft. The first few miles after lunch will be spent floating through big cottonwood groves and sandstone outcroppings teaming with an array of birds including Bald Eagles. Then suddenly the Wingate sandstone walls become high and the black rock of the metamorphic complex starts to reach its fingers out of the river. Westwater Canyon is one of the most beautiful sections of the Colorado River. After a short hike to the abandoned Miner’s Cabin, and running a few small rapids, camp will be set up near the Little Dolores River.
Day 4:
Today will be one of the most exciting whitewater days of the river trip. The fun and exciting class III-IV rapids of Westwater Canyon will come one after another. Some of the bigger rapids include Funnel Falls, Skull Rapid, and Sock-It-To-Me. After the river exits Westwater Canyon it will mellow out again and the river banks once again will be filled with large cottonwood groves and sandstone outcroppings. The camp will be set up near Fish Ford and we will hopefully do a nice hike to a big view.
Day 5:
Today brings us into the upper section of the Moab Daily and past the Cutler Sandstone Fisher Towers. Views of sandstone spires, pinnacles, and buttes will be framed by the laccolithic La Sal mountains from our camp along the rapids of Onion Creek.
Day 6:
After a nice early start, we will maneuver our way through the last few rapids of the Moab Daily section of the Colorado River. Sometime before lunchtime a motorized raft will meet up with us and motor us through 30 miles of flat water. Garbage and recycling will be exchanged for new food and drink. We will float past the Salt Valley known as Moab, through the Portal, and into Canyonlands National Park.
Day 7:
In the morning we will take a short hike amongst the ruins and pictographs of the Ancestral Puebloan site at Lathrop Canyon. Then we will get back on the boats and float toward Indian Creek. Indian Creek offers more opportunities for hiking and ruins as well as a nice camping opportunity.
Day 8:
The river makes a large gooseneck, and at the narrowest part, a short steep hike affords some spectacular views and the opportunity to meet the boats on the other side. Along the hike are ancient petroglyphs. In the afternoon the Colorado River will meet the Green River. The confluence of these two rivers is often referred to as the “Center of the Universe” amongst rafters.
Day 9:
Layover Day!! Relax and Read, or Hike up to the Dolls House of the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. Pack a lunch. Great Geology! Great Views! Great Hike!
Day 10:
Rapids! Today we will run the first 20 rapids of Cataract Canyon. The rapids will start small and gradually increase in size. Camp will be set up at the top of the famous Big Drop Rapids.
Day 11:
The Biggest Rapids of the Trip! Today we will run the series of rapids known as the Big Drops. The Big Drops in Cataract Canyon are always very technical and at high water are the biggest rapids in North America. In July they should be a little more tame, but still very exciting. After the Big Drops, we will see the effects of a 15-year prolonged drought, as some rapids that have been buried under the water of Lake Powell for the last 30 years have re-emerged recently. These include a long rocky rapid at the head of Waterhole Canyon. In the afternoon we may have time to hike into Dark Canyon.
Day 12:
After an early start, we will reflect on our incredible journey over the past 12 days. The trip will end at North Wash and transportation will be provided back to Green River.
