Highlights

 Activities

• Whitewater Raft & Whitewater Inflatable Kayak: Desolation and Gray Canyons, Green River

Ages

18+ (or if child/children, accompanied by a parent or guardian)

Days

8 (5 days on river)

Dates

August 8th - 15th, 2016

Arrive/Depart

Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)

Cost

Minimum Participation Cost is $1,500.00 (Includes meals/food/transportation to and from put-in, hotels and closing celebration on the last evening)

Suggested Matching Contribution is $1,500.00 (And please note, any size donation large or small, is gratefully acknowledged and accepted by Geography of Hope.) 

(Airfare to and from Salt Lake City not included)

Itinerary

Green River - Desolation Canyon River Trip Details

Where to stay:

Lodging before the trip with be in Salt Lake City and after the trip will be at the River Terrace, 435/564-3401 

Our Job (What we provide):

• Pick up at Salt Lake City Airport
• A pre-departure gathering meeting.
• Transportation to Sand Wash (launching point)
• All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day, lodging and banquet on last day.
• Transportation from the take-out in Green River to Salt Lake City
• Rafts (see below)
• Safety Equipment, Lifejackets and helmets
• Waterproof bags for the limited amount of personal belongings you MUST bring
• All equipment, professional river guides, cooks and bottlewashers

YOUR JOB (What you are responsible for):

• Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items (see equipment list)...(there is a prize for the smallest bag!)
• Sleeping bags and tents (these items can be rented if desired - see equipment list)
• Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages for those over 21 years of age (see below)
• Guides gratuities if you are so inclined (see below)

Additional information:

Types of boats: We will travel with two types of boats which you will be able to ride in:

Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches.

Inflatable kayaks are 10 - 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience, and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river.

Inflatable kayaks are limited. We will bring as many as we can possible fit, and, we may have to rotate if an over abundance of folks prefer to kayak so that everyone gets a chance to participate.

Meals: Great fresh food, meats, fruits, and vegetables. The river guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a multitude of choices. Lunches are usually hand-held foods and are enjoyed picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. Any special dietary requirements or special event during the trip we should know about, please just give us a call in advance.

Drinks: Hot coffee, tea and cocoa start us off in the morning and water, lemonade and punch are provided during the day. If you would care for soda, beer or wine with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda can be in cans, wine in bags/boxes or plastic bottles. 

Camping: Overnight camping is our mode of lodging at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. There is usually a central kitchen area and campfire burning and guests pick out spots in the surrounding area to pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping bags (which Jim has volunteered graciously to manage.)  Portable toilet facilities are provided (a.k.a. Groovers). Dinner is served at sundown and the campfire is often kept burning into the night for music and story-telling.

Weather: The weather along the Green River is usually very comfortable and sunny with highs in the 90's during the day and lows in the 60's at night. The sun can be intense for those not used to it and lightweight cotton clothing, (synthetic, long-sleeved shirts, lightweight cotton pants, old dress shirts, etc.), and sunscreen along with a wide-brimmed hat should be worn for protection. The water temperature is warm in August, but always provides a refreshing way to cool off. Wet, loose-fitting clothing and a wet hat provide natural air conditioning and will help keep you cool. Rain, usually in the form of short thunderstorms, can occur at any time and good rain protection for both day and night (rainshell and tent) are advised. Desolation Canyon often experiences strong, afternoon winds, (always upstream), and our we do our best to accomodate this - expect early morning departures and early afternoon arrivals in camp with plenty of time for exploring.

Wildlife Habitat: Mule deer inhabit the canyons and on occasion a big horn sheep is seen. There is plenty of birdlife, and beaver can be seen along shore. Hawks, golden eagles, Canadian Geese, falcons and a wide assortment of other birds are always in abundance.

Fishing: Fishing in the Green River is not the best. There are two notable sidestreams, Ranch Creek and Range Creek, where we may stop and have an opportunity to fish for small trout. If you are a fisherman, a Utah fishing license is required and should be obtained in Green River before the trip (please make sure to accomodate as we depart from Sandwash. Ultra-lightweight spinning or dry fly gear works best. Bring the minimum in a sturdy case.

Map

Packing List

PACKING List

READY, SET, LET'S GO!

One of the joys of life on the river life is how simple it is. We will be leaving a lot of stuff behind, hopefully life as we know it on a daily basis. Remember, less will be more on this trip. One synthetic fleece pullover is much more compact and versatile than six cotton sweatshirts. You should be able to find most of the gear you need in your closet, garage or neighbor's basement and what you can't find or borrow, you can rent from us. If you have any last-minute difficulty with decisions a please feel free to call us; our goal is the best most comfortable trip possible.

What to bring:

This list has everything we can think of for our August departure, and, you probably shouldn't skip anything.

*Rental gear:

There is good equipment available to rent. Reserve and pay for it in advance, pick it up at the pre-trip meeting, leave it behind when you're done; simple. 
---> Sleep Kits (polarguard bag, liner, self-inflating pad and tarp) are $40 per trip.
---> Tents (two-person, free-standing, comfortable) are $40 per trip.
Call us once you have registered for your trip and we will coordinate.

How to dress:

ON HOT DAYS you will want clothing that dries quickly (nylon shorts and bathing suits) and a sun sheild which is best provided by an old lightweight cotton dress shirt and maybe even lightweight long pants or capris). A brimmed hat and a bandana also will help in staying cool.

ON COOL DAYS you will want a thick, synthetic fleece top, (pullovers are best) and a sturdy, fully waterproof rainshell. You may also want fleece pants or polypropylene long underwear bottoms and rainpants. Don't bring a cotton sweatshirt and a windbreaker; cotton is worthless when wet and won't work for on-river insulation and you need something waterproof over your fleece.

ON YOUR FEET you will want shoes that stay on if you go for a swim and are comfortable for hiking. Sport sandals with heel straps (Tevas, Chacos, Keen, etc.) work well, (buckles are better than velcro). Old running shoes work well and are easy to find. Neoprene, wool or fleece socks will add a bit of insulation under shoes or sandals. Wetsuit booties work but can be a bit clammy after a full day.

IN CAMP you will want comfortable walking/hiking shoes, (flip flops, lightweight boots or tennis shoes), and versatile clothing, (T-shirts, warm shirts, cotton shorts, jeans or sweats, extra fleece, etc). Cotton is fine for camp stuff, but because it is worthless for keeping you warm on the river, many people bring two sets of fleece - one for the river, one for camp - and have a backup in case one gets drenched.

Where to find it:

How to pack:

CAMP ITEMS go in a watertight dunnage bag provided by our River Guides, (only one per person :-). These are generally not accessible during the day. The bags are roughly 17 inches in diameter and 24 inches tall, (the size of a large duffel bag); plenty big, but you should try to limit all of your gear to about 25 pounds. We'll show you how to close the dunnage bag so that it stays watertight even if temporarily submerged, but packing your sleeping bag in a garbage bag will help provide extra protection.

RIVER ITEMS will go in a watertight dry-pack provided by our River Guides, (one per person). These small packs are 9 inches in diameter and 12 inches tall, perfect for rain gear, fleece, sunblock, and other things you want to keep handy during the day. For expensive cameras we recommend a Pelican Box, which can be found on-line and at most outdoor stores.

Questions:

Please feel free to call our office 800/939-9839 or e-mail us if you have any questions. We have been on many trips, have tested a lot of gear, and we enjoy talking about what has and hasn't worked.

History

The Green River starts its journey on the slopes of 13,800 foot Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming and travels almost due south for nearly 700 miles before joining the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park. The waterway is remote and vast, traversing some of the least inhabited country in the west.

Our journey takes us through one of the most isolated stretches. Desolation and Gray canyons are rugged, austere, and starkly beautiful. Wide sweeping bends in the river form majestic amphitheaters which clearly display the rugged, dramatic cliffs of the neighboring Tavaputs Plateau. Complimenting the starkness is a sublime and colorful beauty waiting to be discovered. Long, thin ridges of red and orange, talus slopes dotted with evergreen juniper and pinyon pines, and the white and gray cliffs provide a colorful and ever-changing palette for discerning eyes.

Equally colorful is the history of the area. This is a region overflowing with tales of Native Americans, Old West ranchers, and infamous outlaws. Petroglyphs and clay figurines, abandoned homesteads, and the ghosts of Butch Cassidy and his Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, (who hid in the many side-canyons and traded horses with the locals), are current reminders of this fascinating history.

The warm water and moderate rapids make this a great trip for learning the skills of paddling yourself through whitewater. Our trips are designed around small inflatable kayaks, paddled independently by one or two people. Novices as well as seasoned river runners will find enjoyment in paddling themselves down the Green.

Attractions

Amazing Attractions