Summary

Colorado River - Little Gore Canyon - 2 Days

Prices From	USD$ $320.00
1st Departure	04.15.2009
Provider	Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Exp Inc
Destination	Colorado River
Duration	2 days
Challenge	Moderate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Little Gore Canyon

23-65 miles | Class II ( III during high water)

The legendary Colorado River, over 1400 miles long, starts just above Little Gore Canyon. This is one of the first boatable sections of the river. Alpine scenery, historic points, hot springs and milder whitewater make this a great family trip and all within an easy drive from Denver.

Itinerary

Day 1

General Itinerary for multi-day Expeditions AND SO IT BEGINS RIVER MAGIC DVORAK STYLE! When you reserve your adventure with Dvorak Rafting & Kayak Expeditions, you will be taken care of from the time you meet us until we send you on your way at the end. We will schedule pre trip meetings to check our lists and finalize last minute details before you fly, shuttle or walk to the river launch sites. We will fit you out with your personal floatation device (PFD), issue your waterproof bag for personal gear to transfer your river gear into, confirm your camping equipment is there (tents/sleeping bags/pads/rain gear/wetsuit/boots etc.) and gather everyone to the circle for introductions and a river safety talk. Once we are a river family, we will designate the rafters and kayakers to their crafts and we will be on our way. “We are now officially on “River Time” DIVERSITY! A week, two days, three days, or more, Dvorak Rafting & Kayak Expeditions cater to all tastes. Right from the start, our staff does the tough stuff – the glory of adventure, without the worry! Based on your input, our consultants will help you choose a personally – suited expedition, a getaway, vacation, challenge or another river feather in your hat! From this point, we will takeover and do all the planning, make the lists and check them twice, the cooking, and the loading and detailing. Kick back and soak it all in. However, if you desire to recall the rugged, rough and tumble routes of “roughing it”, we can go there, too. TENTS OR CASTLES? Some like it wet and wild. Others like it quaint and calm. Just like our selection of nine rivers in the southwest Dvoraks offer you choices; sleep under the stars in your skivvies, tent on a sandy riverbank, cozy up in a bed & breakfast or luxury base camp with us on the Arkansas River Center in walled tents with the hot showers right next door! Great granite fireplace and pavilion for families, corporate groups and afternoon Bar B.Q. after a day of rafting. MORNING SUNRISE! Dawn is accompanied by the sweet morning chorus of the river birds singing, rustling tents opening, and nature stretching its wings and the call of “Cawfeee” hot and rich to your senses. As you make your way to the kitchen, the smell of fresh bacon, pancakes and nibbles of fresh fruit and juices entice your appetite to begin the day. Your crew leisurely shuffles about, while breaking down camp and packing up the rafts in preparation for the days adventures ahead. By the time, the sun moves into camp over the canyon walls you will have packed your dry bag and will have taken the fleece off to ready for the days rapids and hikes to come. AFTERNOON DELIGHT! Now that you’re wet and wild, you have explored a side canyon or perhaps walked back in time to the ancient one’s ruins or stopped for a snack on the water’s edge on a sunny beach - your tank of adrenaline has come and gone and guess what ? There is still half the day left. Your guides will set up a banquet of lunch delicacies for your delight and relax as you take in the grand view of this wilderness canyon as you sip a cool drink on the river’s edge. After lunch we’ll pack up for a afternoon run of whitewater and not so river wild water where you can swim or play till we reach our river camp this late afternoon. THE RIVER DANCE BEGINS; First timers will rest assured that when we arrive to camp for the night your guides will set up camp and help you or show you how to set up tents. The camp shuffle-dance will begin as the dinner crew prepare the evening meal and sets out your appetizers and cold drinks and wine for after all that fresh air - “fuel for the fires of appetite” will have taken over. Dvoraks is famous for always making sure they are dinners are plentiful, delicious and to die for! Meanwhile the rest of the day is yours to relax, read, and play river games with the crew or visit with your family and new river friends. The setting will have by now doubled your distance from jobs, freeways, telephones and workday responsibility. You will have sharpened your senses to those around you and will inhabit the delights of this natural world around you. (Make sure we know when there’s a birthday or anniversary because there will be one in the works from the kitchen crew) A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP! Sleeping well is an essential luxury of any vacation. Our guests bed down in roomy four season tents with floors and flys, warm sleeping bags, atop self-inflating pads. Our bed & breakfast guests snooze like royalty in four-star comfortable choices; (Western, Tudor, Victorian, Eclectic, Country styles). You will find them just downright incredible. As you move away from the open fire after the recounting the day’s escapades and post dinner drinks, hot cocoa, tea or cool water you will never remember your head hitting your river pillow. Just before you close your eyes one last time - look up and see STARS like you have never seen before! VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. You can count on each day of your trip having some new twists and turns and a wild ride or two along with some quiet gentle moments on the river. Water will be a big part of each day as the full days run is from about 9:00 a.m. thru until 3-4:30 p.m. Some days have more hiking - others are more rafting. One thing for sure is your trip will be like no other and the friends, laughter and experiences will be a good time – every time! Please feel free to call our adventure consultants for more details and do look over the float notes for those special and unique qualities our rivers will offer you. Remember the memories never go away and it is up to all of us to protect these resources for our children and their children beyond our time. The whitewater thrills will fade but the tall tales just get taller every year! “River Magic” Dvorak style!

Gear List

The following are included in your Dvorak Expedition • All boating equipment/life jackets/drinking water • Pre and post trip arrangements as described • 4-5 days of rafting or instructional seminar • All on-river meals (lunch day 1 through lunch last day) • Rain jacket with pants (PVC) • Eating utensils, plates, complimentary Dvorak cup • Waterproof dry bags/containers for personal gear • 6-man rain tarps for shelter and kitchen area You are responsible for the following • Transportation to the arranged meeting point or put-in • Meals and lodging at the arranged meeting point • Personal clothing and other sundry items • Transportation, meals and lodging at the arranged drop off point.



Please limit your gear to 30 pounds in weight. It should be able to be packed into a standard duffel bag. This list should cover everything for a safe, comfortable trip. • Compact sleeping bag (not down) with foam pad • Small backpack style tent w/ fly & ground sheet • Long john style wetsuit/boots for cold months * • Long pants (one light weight to block the sun & one warm wool or pile/fleece type*) • Nylon shorts or swim suit under wetsuit • Long sleeved shirts (one warm*/one light weight) • Non cotton shirt or poly propylene top (fleece top) • Warm jacket*, wind proof or Fleece, water resistant • Pair of tennis shoes - tie on preferred 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 5,000' altitude - lots of UV exposure) • Hat for sun protection (tie-on) • Rain gear is provided unless you want to bring your own • Small towel / biodegradable soap / shampoo / lotion etc. • Flashlight and extra batteries with new bulb. • Bandana and a pair of lite gloves for sun protection. • Personal items kit (hygiene) medicines etc. • Waterproof camera or a very good waterproof case. • EXTRA BEVERAGES - PLASTIC containers of liquor, CANNED beer wine coolers. An adequate supply of soft drinks is provided. If you prefer diet drinks please request them in advance. Wine is provided with evening meals. OPTIONAL ITEMS: Field glasses with waterproof protection , Journal notebook, book, pliers (for use in taking things from fire i.e. coffee, hot water, etc.), Day pack for side hikes & Extra Zip Lock Bags. * Can be excluded during warmer weather



TENTS, SLEEPING BAGS & WET SUITS • $15 Lightweight Sleeping Bag / Ensolite pad • $50 Three man dome tent with floor + ground sheet • $ 10 Therma-Rest Sleep pad, inflatable • $20 Long John Wet suit with booties • $ 16 Wet Suit Booties only Note: These items need to be reserved in advance and payment is due along with your trip balance 45 days prior to departure. Be sure to give your height, weight and shoe size for wet suit rentals.



• 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 Little Gore Canyon: Pumphouse, Colorado Trough Road off Hwy 9 12 miles west of Hwy 9 Kremmling, CO 80459 USA

Food All on-river meals are provided, beginning with lunch the first day and ending with lunch the last day. The food is fresh and hearty and the guides will prepare it for you while you enjoy the homey atmosphere generated around each river camp. You can set up your tent or go for an evening walk, relax, read, or join the guides in the kitchen if you so desire. A typical five day menu may include as a main course BBQ Steak, Baked Fish, Pork chops and dumplings, chicken enchiladas, seafood spaghetti, cashew chicken Chinese, Teriyaki Chicken, Mexican chili, combination entrees, fresh vegetables and salads, Dutch-oven desserts or breads, hors d'oeuvres, fresh fruits, fruit juices, coffee, tea and a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. 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 or hot chocolate. We can accommodate special diets with advance notice and almost always the menu suits the vegetarian. Though we carry ample supplies of juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate we encourage you to bring extra soda, beer wine or other beverages you may prefer. . You can arrange for us to pick up specific beverages for you prior to the trip or you can stock up in Vernal before we head to the river. Any liquids you bring must be in unbreakable containers and limited to one case per person. ALCOHOL You're welcome to bring alcohol as long as it is in unbreakable containers. Discretion in alcohol consumption during whitewater days is strongly advised. If you would like us to pick up a particular beer and bring it to the river, please advise and payment can be made for your purchase at the river put-in with your Trip Leader. 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. Gratuities are not included in the trip cost. 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. DVORAK'S WILL PROVIDE THIS EQUIPMENT: We furnish rugged inflatable self-bailing rafts 12 to 16 feet in length. We provide all necessary river equipment, pfd's (Type V), water-proof dry bags for personal gear, first-aid and safety supplies. There is a guide on every raft and ratio of 1 to 4 on any instructional clinic. 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 1 guide Destination Location LITTLE GORE CANYON (1 - 4 days) 23 to 65 miles Class I to Class III Run the Colorado River near its source. With its headwater just a few miles upstream among the mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the first boatable sections of the river. Little Gore Canyon features clear water and mild yet exciting whitewater that can be enjoyed in rafts, kayaks, canoes and inflatable kayaks. This is an excellent trip for the entire family. The put in point is an easy three hour drive west of Denver near Kremmling, Colorado. This proximity to a large metropolitan area and airport makes this trip one of the top choices for beginners and old hands alike lookint for a ride on the upper sections of the mighty Colorado river. This is one of the west's major rivers providing the drainage system for 1/2 of the continental United States over its 1,400 mile length. These upper sections also offer decent trout fishing for those that would like to bring a pole along. Guide(s) Our guides are experienced men and women skilled at handling their craft. They all have current first aid, CPR and Swiftwater Rescue training and have fulfilled guide qualification requirements in the states of Colorado, Utah, Texas 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 The closest airport is Denver International. Arrive the day prior to your trip. You will need to arrange for a 3 hours west on Interstate 70 towards Dillon, CO., north from Dillon on Highway 9 towards Kremmling. Your river trip will begin just 12 miles south-west of Kremmling at river put-in site (Pumphouse) at 8:30 a.m. the day your trip begins. SEE MAP Dvorak's will make arrangements for your vehicle to be shuttled to the finish point through the "Colo. Shuttle Service". (SEE permission for shuttle form). The cost will vary with trip length. You can arrange to leave any personal luggage at your lodging until the finish of the trip or in your vehicle which will be at the trip's end point. PLEASE CALL AND CONFIRM YOUR VEHICLE SHUTTLE ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP. BY CAR: You will need to arrive at the put in (SEE MAP to Pumphouse) by 8:30 a.m. the morning your trip begins. Report to your Dvorak trip leader near the river put in or look for the Dvorak Vehicle (logo/name). The guides will assist you in packing your river gear into dry bags and issue any rented camping items for your packing as well. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO CONFIRM THOSE ITEMS FOR CAMPING 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE TRIP MEETING. Alternatively you can arrive at the put in the night before the trip begins, where camping is an option. There are only primitive amenities at the camp site. We can arrange to have your vehicle shuttled to the take-out point. There is an additional charge for this shuttle srvice per vehicle, cost depends on the length of your trip. Any extra personal items should be stored in your vehicle unless you arrange to store items at other accommodation prior to your trip. Remember, "River Time" is unpredictable. This also allows time for a final evening spent with new river friends and crew. ACCOMMODATIONS Bobs Western Motel 110 West Park Ave. (Hwy 40 West of Town) Kremmling, CO 80459 (970) 724-3266 This Motel is the only one available near the put in for Little Gore Canyon. Other options will be a longer communte jto the put in for the meeting time 8:30 a.m. (Pumphouse) Historic Hotel Colorado 526 Pine Street Glenwood, CO 81602 (970) 945-6511 Hot Springs Lodge & Pool Box 308 Glenwood Springs, CO 81602 (800) 537-SWIM (970) 945-6571 Antlers Motel 305 Laurel Ave. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970) 945-8535 Other Towns with Lodging! Dillon * Silverthorn * Vail * Granby * Frisco * Rocky Mountain National Park @ Estes Park * Most major chains of motel/hotels are available in Dillon and Grand Junction, CO with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. KREMMLING: The Wagon Wheel and the Moose are good breakfast and evening meal options.