River Rafting
Feb 22nd, 1999 | 05:41 AM
#2
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Good day, Walter. Are you sure you mean rafting IN Colorado (the state)+...or do you want information about rafting ON the Colorado River? Big difference. We've rafted ON the river twice through the Grand Canyon. Most rivers IN Colorado are too short, shallow, and swift to allow much rafting. On the other hand, rafting down the river is big-time stuff. I can give you names and addresses of rafting outfits, if you wish.
Feb 22nd, 1999 | 09:42 AM
#3
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If you mean rafting on rivers in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, a company in the town of Buena Vista in Central Colorado takes people on raft trips down the Arkansas River. But, you would want to be there in late June when the water is sufficiently high. By September, the snow melt has run its course. I never did it, but I climbed Mt. Harvard one year with a guide who also did water rafting. He was an old US Coast Guardsman.
If you mean taking a raft trip down the Colorado River, which is too small for much rafting until after it joins the Gunnison in Grand Junction, you may be too late to take a trip through the Grand Canyon.
If you mean taking a raft trip down the Colorado River, which is too small for much rafting until after it joins the Gunnison in Grand Junction, you may be too late to take a trip through the Grand Canyon.
Feb 22nd, 1999 | 04:56 PM
#4
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For those who seek more info on rafting through the Grand Canyon, here is a magnificent source of data:
http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/ Very complete, very detailed.
http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/ Very complete, very detailed.
Feb 22nd, 1999 | 04:57 PM
#5
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For those who seek more info on rafting through the Grand Canyon, here is a magnificent source of data:
http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/ Very complete, very detailed.
http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/ Very complete, very detailed.
Feb 23rd, 1999 | 08:56 PM
#6
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There is some great whitewater rafting in Utah too. I went on a 5 day 100 mile trip down Desolation Canyon on the Green River and had a great time. Spring has maximum runoff but if you don't like BUGS of every type and size, you might want to go later in the year. The rapids might be smaller, but so will your bottle of insect repellant! Either way, you'll have a great time!
Feb 24th, 1999 | 06:44 PM
#7
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Hi Walter,
I live in Boulder, Colorado, and over the past few years have done a fair amount of rafting here in the state. (I hear that the Grand Canyon is a terrific rafting experience, but haven't had the opportunity to raft there yet.)
If you have never rafted before, you can start in Brown's canyon, near Buena Vista, Colorado. It's a few hours drive from Denver. There are several different outfitters who do half-day trips down that section of the river. They all charge around $30-$40/person for a half-day trip. I did the Brown's Canyon run once in June when the water was at record high levels (it was quite fun) and then again in August when the water was rather low (that was almost MORE fun, because it gets more technical.) When the water is high, the rafting guides don't seem to goof off as much, and we weren't allowed to jump out of the raft and run the rapids with just our vests and wetsuits. When the water is low they let you get away with a bit more. I went with Noah's Ark, but they do a prayer service right before the run which made some of us non-christians uncomfortable.
If you've rafted before, and are looking for a more challenging trip, I would recommend Canon City/Royal Gorge. (Also just a few hours from Denver.) You can do the Brown's Canyon as an all day, but the Gorge has more whitewater. Last year I did the full day Royal Gorge trip, which really does take a whole day. The outfitter I went with was Buffalo Joe's (www.buffalojoe.net). They cook a steak lunch halfway through, and then you put on your helmets and go for the Gorge. There are Class V rapids along that route, and the scenery was beautiful. The guides were terrific (these people don't have real jobs--they are raft guides in summer and ski guides in winter--must be nice.) I really had a great time. We had a good boat, all strong paddlers, which was an added bonus (luck of the draw, unless you go with at least 5 friends.) The all-day trip is about $80.00 per person. You have to be over 16 and be able to swim (and be in decent shape.) If they have doubts about your physical condition you have to pass a swim test before doing the Gorge, which is probably a good idea.
A few miscellaneous suggestions: Bring a small bottle of water or a boda bag full of water along on the full-day trip, use a velcro strap or something to attach it to your wetsuit; buy your own wetsuit!! the rentals are without exception disgusting, and twice I caught...er...well, suffice to say, get your own wetsuit. You can find them cheap at sporting good stores off-season (I got a full suit for less than $100); wear lots of sunscreen; buy a disposable water-proof camera at the grocery store before you go. We took some hilarious pictures during the trip.
The down-side to these trips is there isn't much to do in Canon City (we got a cheap hotel there the night before) or in Buena Vista (though the Presidential range is there, if you like hiking in the mountains), so you'll probably either want to camp out and go to bed early or head back towards Denver.
The water is the highest in the spring, but it varies from year to year based on the snowfall. The snowpack this year is about average, the snow season got off to a very slow start and is just now improving. I would say any time starting in late May would be good.
Have fun!
I live in Boulder, Colorado, and over the past few years have done a fair amount of rafting here in the state. (I hear that the Grand Canyon is a terrific rafting experience, but haven't had the opportunity to raft there yet.)
If you have never rafted before, you can start in Brown's canyon, near Buena Vista, Colorado. It's a few hours drive from Denver. There are several different outfitters who do half-day trips down that section of the river. They all charge around $30-$40/person for a half-day trip. I did the Brown's Canyon run once in June when the water was at record high levels (it was quite fun) and then again in August when the water was rather low (that was almost MORE fun, because it gets more technical.) When the water is high, the rafting guides don't seem to goof off as much, and we weren't allowed to jump out of the raft and run the rapids with just our vests and wetsuits. When the water is low they let you get away with a bit more. I went with Noah's Ark, but they do a prayer service right before the run which made some of us non-christians uncomfortable.
If you've rafted before, and are looking for a more challenging trip, I would recommend Canon City/Royal Gorge. (Also just a few hours from Denver.) You can do the Brown's Canyon as an all day, but the Gorge has more whitewater. Last year I did the full day Royal Gorge trip, which really does take a whole day. The outfitter I went with was Buffalo Joe's (www.buffalojoe.net). They cook a steak lunch halfway through, and then you put on your helmets and go for the Gorge. There are Class V rapids along that route, and the scenery was beautiful. The guides were terrific (these people don't have real jobs--they are raft guides in summer and ski guides in winter--must be nice.) I really had a great time. We had a good boat, all strong paddlers, which was an added bonus (luck of the draw, unless you go with at least 5 friends.) The all-day trip is about $80.00 per person. You have to be over 16 and be able to swim (and be in decent shape.) If they have doubts about your physical condition you have to pass a swim test before doing the Gorge, which is probably a good idea.
A few miscellaneous suggestions: Bring a small bottle of water or a boda bag full of water along on the full-day trip, use a velcro strap or something to attach it to your wetsuit; buy your own wetsuit!! the rentals are without exception disgusting, and twice I caught...er...well, suffice to say, get your own wetsuit. You can find them cheap at sporting good stores off-season (I got a full suit for less than $100); wear lots of sunscreen; buy a disposable water-proof camera at the grocery store before you go. We took some hilarious pictures during the trip.
The down-side to these trips is there isn't much to do in Canon City (we got a cheap hotel there the night before) or in Buena Vista (though the Presidential range is there, if you like hiking in the mountains), so you'll probably either want to camp out and go to bed early or head back towards Denver.
The water is the highest in the spring, but it varies from year to year based on the snowfall. The snowpack this year is about average, the snow season got off to a very slow start and is just now improving. I would say any time starting in late May would be good.
Have fun!
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Feb 25th, 1999 | 06:30 AM
#9
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Walter, about two summers ago I took a two day, one night rafting trip just outside of Moab, UT, but the company was based in Grand Junction, CO. they supply the transportation from GJ to the starting point and back to GJ after. It was a great trip, very professional but also friendly. The company was Adventure Bound River Expeditions and they have a web site at www.raft-colorado.com and a toll free (from the US at least) phone at 800-423-4668. We rafted in late July or early Aug. (can't remember) but we did not need a wet suit. We brought our own tent, sleeping bags, etc. but I think they will rent them to you if you don't want to haul your own from Australia. Have a great time where ever you decide to go rafting.
Jul 12th, 1999 | 06:28 PM
#10
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I took a wonderful rafting trip through Cataract Canyon with Western River Expeditions based in Salt Lake City. The trip began near Moab Utah and is 4 days and 3 nights. Tents, cots and sleeping bags are provided as well as wonderful food and a dry bag for your gear. Spring through June is a good time to go. I understand August is too hot for comfort. Cost approx $850. Scenery is awesome. Best vacation I ever had. email me if you want more info.
