Summary

Arkansas River - Salida Canyon Half-Day P.M.

Prices From USD$ $51.00
1st Departure 05.01.2009
Provider Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Exp Inc
Destination Arkansas River
Duration 4 hours
Challenge Easy
Avg Rating Not Rated

12 Miles, Class II-III, Half Day Adult / Youth

A family vacation with several activities or the challenge here on the river where the walls open to beautiful views of the snow covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains, rising to over 14,000 feet. The rapids are less technical but no less exciting for an introductory river experience.

This half day trip is a perfect balance for young children and adults wanting to share a little whitewater with a fun day on the river.

Approximately 3 hours of clear crisp water. No lunch is provided on this half day adventure. Fully guided and all boating equipment included: rain gear, drinking water, personal floatation device.

Our Nathrop Office location (See Map) is approximately 2.5 hours from Denver and less than 2 from Colorado Springs.

BOOK EARLY some dates will fill quickly!

Itinerary

Day 1

1.You start your whitewater full day with Dvoraks by checking in at the UPPER ARKANSAS office LOCATED at 17921 US Highway 285, Nathrop, CO 81236: (See map and location notes) at 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. 2.Your guides will show the way with fitting out your personal floatation devise (PFD) and they will issue your wetsuit & boots by size for you to fit and dress for the trip. We will have rain jackets and pants for each guest on board the raft in the group dry bag. You can also place your personal items such as (sunscreen, fleece jacket, small towel into this same bag. You might want to place them in a large zip lock bag to keep them easy to view and find all together from the dry bag later in the day. If you have a camera (waterproof), lip sunscreen or items you want to get to often a fanny pack works great to wear. 3.Once you have gathered up your items for the day you will take your PFD, personal items and wetsuit/boots and make your way to the bus or van for transportation by Dvoraks will be provided to the river “Put In” launch. 4.NOTE: You want to make sure that you have left your keys at the front desk with the attendant and locked your valuables into your car. Your things are safe on our private property. On return from the trip you’ll have your keys ready for you to change into dry items, shower etc. The shop will have photos, t-shirts and many fun items for your whitewater souvenirs. 5.Your travel time from the Centerville Office to the (put in) launch site is about 15 minutes. 6.Once you arrive at the river your guides will direct you to the area where they will give you the SAFETY TALK and demonstrate the techniques for your raft crew; i.e. paddle where each person will paddle thru the rapids with the guide instructor or ride the rapids on an oar powered by your guide at the 10’ oars.

Launch onto the river should be about 9:30 a.m. Now you’re on your way and a full day of wild rapids class II & III lots of adrenaline that will come and go as you cover about 11 miles of river in a half day. 7.You will finish the day with some FUN Class II rapids and in the quiet spots, it might be the time to water war with those on the other rafts. 8. You will finish your trip (1/2 day) at Hecla Jct. or a (full day) to Big Bend and your trip back to the Centerville office is about 15-20 minutes. 9.Back at the center, you can revisit your day’s events with your guide and see those Great photos taken of you and your family or group that day. Don’t forget the “Dry” t-shirt and take one home to those that missed this fantastic day on the Arkansas River’s Salida Canyon! COME AGAIN AND OFTEN WE ARE HERE ALL SUMMER FOR YOU AND YOUR’S!

Gear List

The following are included in your Dvorak Expeditions Arkansas Valley Combination: • Lodging arrangements as described below dependent on length of your trip and method of arrival. • The shuttle and transport to and from the river is provided. • ½ - 7 days raft/hike/horseback/bike/jeep/etc. • Rain Jacket with pants • Eating utensils, cup, plate (on overnight trips) • Water proof dry bags/containers for personal gear (on river trip portions) YOU are responsible for the following: • Transportation to and from the arranged meeting point. (Dvorak Expedition Base) • Transportation, meals & lodging pre and post trip • Personal clothing and other sundry items



• Long john style wetsuit/boots for cold months or Class IV+ • Nylon shorts or swim suit under wetsuit • Non cotton shirt or poly propylene top (fleece top) • Warm jacket, wind proof or Fleece, water resistant • Pair of tennis shoes - tie on preferred (No sandals) or wet boots. • Wool socks will help keep feet warm in tennis shoes • Sun glasses with loss protector/keeper, with UV protection • Sun block (over 8000' altitude - lots of UV exposure) • Hat for sun protection (tie-on) • Rain gear is provided unless you want to bring your own



BY DAY OR TRIP • $10 Long John Wet suit with booties per day • $25 Long John Wet suit with bootier two or more days • $ 8 Wet Suit only (per day) $20-2 or more days • $ 3 Booties only (per day) $10-2 or more days



• Rugged inflatable self-bailing rafts 12 to 16 feet in length. • Personal flotation devices (type V) • Waterproof dry bags for personal gear. • First aid and safety supplies. • One guide per raft and a ratio of 1 to 4 on any instructional clinic. • Rain gear—unless you want to bring your own • In addition, we have rental equipment that consists of tents, sleeping bags, pads, and ground sheets. We also have wetsuit and boot rentals available per day or trip. • You can choose to be either in a paddle raft (participatory) or an oared raft, (passenger). Paddle rafts have 4 to 6 persons and one guide.



Travel Information

Activity Location

Browns Canyon Office Centerville, Colorado
17921 US Highway 285
Nathrop, CO 81236 USA

Food

ALL LUNCHES: are buffet style with a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, fruit, cheeses, sliced meats, nuts and juices or sodas. Breakfast includes fresh fruit juice, eggs in all styles, special pancakes, French toast, melons, fruit, cereals with milk, sausage, bacon, coffee, tea, hot chocolate. We can accom-modate special diets with advance notice and almost always the menu suits the vegetarian. ALCOHOL We request that you do not drink alcohol on the day trips on the river. Our guides may refuse to let you participate in a trip if your safety is at risk.


Money

GRATUITIES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP COST. WHILE WE NEVER DEMAND A TIP AND IT IS YOUR DISCRETION WHETHER OR NOT YOU WISH TO TIP, WE PRIDE OURSELVES THAT ONE OF THE GAUGES WE USE FOR YOUR SATISFACTION IS THE GRUTUITY AT THE END OF THE TRIP. (15-20% estimate) IF YOU ARE EVER NOT SATISFIED WE EXPECT YOUR COMMENTS TO MAKE OUR EXPEDITIONS MORE EXCELLENT FOR FUTURE TRIPS.

Additional cash requirements: You will need to arrange all pre and post lodging and meals before and after your trip. You will not require any monies during your trip. Valuables should be stored in the safe at your lodging or you can keep valuables in the waterproof bag provided by Dvoraks. A small amount of money maybe needed during shuttle for snacks at the end of trip.


Destination Location

" 100 miles of choices " The Arkansas valley offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Many 14,000 foot peaks surround the Arkansas valley with the river cutting through and changing the views every few miles. The river source at Leadville, Colorado begins your 100 miles of unlimited offerings, a world of adventure and outdoor opportunities. Explore the possibilities with a customized Dvorak Expedition Arkansas Combination trip. Spend the day running the river or climbing to the sky on the shoulders of a 14,000 foot peak, riding the trails on a mountain bike, exploring ghost towns and natural hot springs. An overnight whitewater river trip will combine with horseback riding, hiking, biking and exploring to take you even deeper into the beauties of the Upper Arkansas Recreation Area. By foot, trail, river or bike, Dvorak Expeditions offers trips featuring any combination. Let us custom design your two- three- four or more day stay in the Arkansas Valley.

The Arkansas River is a river that offers a variety of choices. It is possible to combine whitewater runs creating trips from one day to five days over the length of the river.

The Salida/Cotapaxi/Parkdale sections are where the river opens to beautiful views of the snow covered Sangre de Cristo rising to over 14,000 feet above you. These sections are less technical, a good introductory river experience for the whole family and a great first time challenge in whitewater excitement. CLASS II - III.


Guide(s)

Our guides are experienced men and women skilled at handling their craft. They all have current first aid and CPR training and have fulfilled guide qualification requirements in the states of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Trip Leaders have thousands of river miles of experience on all classes of rivers including all those Dvorak Expeditions run.


Transportation

PRE AND POST TRIP ARRANGEMENTS BY PLANE Major airports are Denver International or Colorado Springs; rental car or van from there to the Arkansas Valley. Car rentals are available in Denver or Colorado Springs. . Salida and Buena Vista, Colorado have small aircraft facilities and charter flights only are available with adequate numbers for charter. Arrive in Salida or Buena Vista, Colorado the day prior to the trip BY CAR The Rand McNally Road Atlas and the enclosed Dvorak map will assist. CENTERVILLE OFFICE: 17921 US HIGHWAY 285, NATHROP, CO. 81236

To reach our Browns Canyon/Nathrop Base, you will need to follow Hwy 285 out of Denver all the way to the Base located at 17921 US Hwy 285. It is approximately 160 miles from Denver International Airport to the Nathrop Base (3 hours). The mountain road driving is through one of the most beautiful parts of the Rocky Mountains and you should allow extra driving time to sight-see. From Colorado Springs Exit off of I-25 to US Hwy 115 to Hw 50 west thru Salida, CO, take hwy 291 and connect up with US Hwy 285 north towards Buena Vista. You will see our sign just past the Shell Gas Station and Prospector Rock Shop on the west side of Hwy 285. Arrive at the appropriate base by either 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. (depending on trip) on the day of your trip, or 1:00 for an afternoon trip. You will meet your guides at Dvorak Expedition's Nathrop base (see map). Special arrangements can be made to pick you up at your lodging by 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the first day. The travel time to the river by bus/van varies with each canyon and start point. Confirm prior to start date. There is a secure parking area at Dvorak Expedition bases for you to leave your belongings. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AT TRIPS END At the end of your day or the final day of your trip, Dvorak's van or bus will either deliver you to the place where you left your car or return you to your lodging or arranged drop off point. "River Time is unpredictable." Please keep this in mind when you make final day commitments. ACCOMMODATIONS: VISIT THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SITE AT www.ColoradoHeadwaters.com FOR MORE OPTIONS IN LODGING.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The following are recommended for pre- and post-trip:

Beddin Down 10401 County Rd 160 Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-1815 www.BeddinDown.com

The River Run Inn, 8495 C.R. 160. Salida, CO 81201 719 539-3818 www.TheRiverRunInn.com

The Tudor Rose Bed & Breakfast 6720 Paradise Rd. Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-2002 or (800) 379-0889. www.TheTudorRose.com  

Super 8 Motel: 525 W. US Hwy 50, Salida, CO 719 539-6689

Holiday Inn Express: 7400 US Hwy 50 West, Salida, CO 81201 719 539-8500  866-823-8753. www.HIESalida.com   Mention Dvoraks for discount.

Mt.Princeston Hot Springs Resort, 15870 County Road 162, Nathrop, CO 81236  719 395-2447 www.MtPrinceton.com