Summary

Wild Westwater Canyon - 3 Day

Prices From	USD$ $599.00
1st Departure	05.24.2012
Provider	Sheri Griffith Expeditions
Destination	Colorado River
Duration	3 days/ 2 nights
Challenge	Beginner
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Westwater Canyon was featured in National Geographic's "Wild and Scenic Rivers" book. This scenic voyage has all the components of a classic river trip: great whitewater, wonderful camp sites, spectacular and drastic geology, variety of wildlife, and remote wilderness canyons. 
This particular stretch of the Colorado River is wild and free flowing, resulting in a variety of water levels through the rafting season. The narrow canyon of 1.7 billion-year-old black schist rock is a sharp contrast to the red rock cliffs preceding and following the whitewater section. Indian pictographs and other relics of human and natural history are some of the hiking highlights.

Itinerary

Day 1

We meet early the morning of departure at the Sheri Griffith Expeditions office. We then drive two hours to Colorado to the launch site on the Colorado River, load the boats and head down stream. Once on the Colorado River, you will receive a river orientation and meet your other guides and fellows guests. The first part of this adventure places you in the midst of stark and dramatic desert landscapes. Today is a lazy day on the river as you adjust to the relaxed pace. You’ll stop to hike as well as for lunch where you’ll create your own deli masterpiece. You will reach camp by early evening and enjoy a generous, delicious dinner prepared fresh by your guides. The camps on this stretch are large and offer a variety of great hikes. 

Day 2

Wake each morning to fresh brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast. Soon, you are back on the river for another day staring at the handy work of nature. You can feel yourself relaxing and slipping into ‘river time.’ Early today you may get a chance to hike to Native American ruins hidden along the Colorado River. After stopping for lunch, and checking in with the Westwater Ranger, we head into the Black Granite Gorge. Red sandstone cliffs change to shiny black granite walls. Here is where you start your whitewater experience. After running a few of the ‘warm up’ rapids we pull over for camp on a secluded beach. This evening you will get to hear stories about the rapids you will challenge in the morning. After watching the sun slip over the canyon rims you will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves downstream. Traditionally, the last night of the river trip is “Dress-up” night. Anything goes if you would like to participate. It is up to your imagination! This is a great way to celebrate the trip, the new friends you have made, and the near completion of your Mighty Colorado River adventure.

Day 3

You will wake with anticipation of the rapids downstream. After a healthy breakfast the guides take time to teach you how to enjoy the big rapids safely. Then the fun really begins. Here are the incredible rapids you have been waiting for: Little Hummer, Funnel Falls, Last Chance Rapid, and of course, the infamous Skull Rapid. Lunch is a fresh buffet on the riverbank There will be chance to swim and enjoy the river as you float out of Westwater Canyon. The ride back to Moab will be filled with Stories of the hole in ‘Sock-It-To-Me’ and the beautiful sunset the night before. The van returns you to Moab around 6-6:30 PM (MDT).

Gear List

<BODY><H3>Packing List</H3> Sheri Griffith Expeditions provides all rafts and related equipment, life jackets, safety equipment, personal dry bags and boxes for your gear, kitchen, dining and toilet equipment, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents. Please pack clothing that you will not mind getting wet and dirty. Fast drying, durable, comfortable clothing is best for rafting. Cotton is recommended for hot weather and synthetic polypropylene or wool clothes for cool weather. All personal items must fit into a 20" x 20" x 27" dry bag. You may pack in an athletic bag for easier access. Please note trips including a scenic flight have a FAA 25 lbs. luggage limit per person. *Available in our store or by phone (800) 332-2439 <H3>ESSENTIAL ITEMS: </H3> <UL> <LI>Water bottle w/ strap or carabiner* </LI><LI>Sunglasses with a retainer* </LI><LI>Sunscreen ~ SPF 15 or greater~ a must!* </LI><LI>Lip moisturizer ~ SPF 15 or greater* </LI><LI>Flashlight or headlamp Hat or visor with hat clip to attach to life jacket or shirt * </LI><LI>Rain jacket & pants ~ thunderstorms in the desert are very unpredictable!* </LI><LI>Fleece or sweatshirt ~ nights & mornings are cool; also great under raingear. </LI><LI>T-shirts * (one per day) </LI><LI>2 Swimsuits/sports bras ~ ladies-a sports top & swim shorts are very convenient! </LI><LI>1 pair Lightweight pants ~ zip-off, convertible pants are great-they're 2 in 1 and save space when packing your dry bag. </LI><LI>2 pairs Quick dry shorts ~ swimsuit and shorts all in one! </LI><LI>Long sleeve cotton shirt ~ provides sun and insect protection. </LI><LI>Underwear </LI><LI>River sandals or shoes that can get wet, will dry quickly, and will not slip off of your feet. </LI></UL> <H3>HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS</H3> <UL> <LI>Hiking shoes & socks ~ for hiking and wearing around camp </LI><LI>Moisturizing lotion ~ Aloe Vera Waterproof camera * </LI><LI>Sun umbrella ~ if sensitive to sun </LI><LI>Binoculars ~ for viewing wildlife </LI><LI>Books ~ for relaxing in the evening </LI><LI>Toiletry Kit: Tooth brush & tooth paste </LI><LI>Biodegradable soap & shampoo. </LI><LI>Feminine hygiene products Small pack of tissue </LI><LI>Medications ~ prescription and non-prescription </LI><LI>Comb and/or brush </LI><LI>Small towel and washcloth </LI></UL> <H3>TIPS FROM THE PROS (Our Guides)</H3> <UL> <LI>Disposable moist towelettes Small day or fanny pack </LI><LI>Ziploc bags ~ for extra water protection </LI><LI>Skirt/sarong * ~ 101 uses! </LI><LI>Travel pillow </LI><LI>Garbage bag or stuff sack ~ keeps wet & dry clothes/items separate </LI><LI>Area guide or River Map * </LI><LI>Extra snacks ~ for individuals with particular tastes or who may be diabetic-great for kids too! </LI><LI>Personal sodas / juices / alcohol (no glass) </LI><LI>Journal or notebook with pen / pencil </LI><LI>Duct tape ~ great for quick repairs of almost anything-sandals, sunglasses, luggage, you name it! A few clothespins and small piece of rope for drying clothes. </LI><LI>Goggles ~ for individuals who wear contact lenses </LI></UL> <H3>Packing Tips </H3> <UL> <LI> Handy Items: Ziploc and trash bags are very useful for separating personal items in your dry bag such as medications, shampoo, soap, wet items, and dirty laundry. Wet wipes are great for washing your face, wiping your hands, and cleaning sand or dirt off of personal belongings. Pack a few clothespins and rope to dry clothes while on the river. Remember, on the river it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it! All of these items can be invaluable and do not take up much space or add much weight to your luggage. </LI><LI> Carabiner: Carabiners are very handy in the outdoors as well as back home. Their oval shape and simple gate mechanism allow you to easily clip your water bottle, camera, hat ~ just about anything ~ nearby. </LI><LI> Extra Snacks: We provide snacks throughout the day, but is a good idea to bring extra snacks for children, for individuals who have snack preferences, or for those who may be diabetic. </LI><LI> Beverages: Each boat has an ice cooler for "personal" drinks such as soda, juice, beer, wine, etc. Since there are no stores along the river, we recommend bringing more than you anticipate needing. Please do not bring glass. SGE provides water, available to you all day long, with lemonade, Gatorade, and iced tea mixes.</LI></UL> </BODY>

Travel Information

Activity Location

Sheri Griffith Expeditions
2231 South Highway 191
Moab, UT 84532 USA