Summary

Dolores River - Ponderosa Gorge - 1 Day

Prices From USD$ $110.00
1st Departure 01.01.0001
Provider Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Exp Inc
Destination Dolores River
Duration 8.5 hours
Challenge Moderate
Avg Rating Not Rated

Ponderosa Gorge



47 miles | Class III-IV



Here the river flows down through the high country running clear and cold, teeming with trout. Campsites are under the branches of ancient 100` Ponderosa pines. This stretch is the home of the legendary Class IV Snaggletooth Rapid. Here begins one of the most challenging stretches of water in the west, culminating in the fury of the Narrows ten miles downstream.



MINIMUM AGE is 10

Itinerary

Day 1

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 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” 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. 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! 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 • 1 - 12 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 in 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 at the arranged drop off point. • Pre and post lodging and meals



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 Ensolite 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. • Bandanna 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, protection , Journal notebook, book, pliers (for use in taking things from fire i.e. coffee, hot water, etc.), Day pack for side hikes and 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 • $25 Long John Wet suit with boot per trip 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

Turquoise Lodge: Cortez, Colorado
535 E. Main St.
Cortez, CO 81321 USA

Food

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, Teri-yaki Chicken, Mexican chili, combination entrees, fresh vege-tables and salads, Dutch-oven desserts or breads, hors d'oeuvres, fresh fruits, fruit juices, coffee, tea and complimen-tary 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 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 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

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.


Destination Location

The Dolores River is second only to the Colorado River's Grand Canyon in unbroken miles of river running and quality of whitewater, making the Dolores one of the best river trips in America. It is a river of many faces. Beginning high in the San Juan mountains, at about 8,000 feet, the waters of the upper river reflect the green of the Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir that line its banks. This stretch includes the legendary Class IV Snaggletooth rapid and challenging stretches of water culminating the fury of the Narrows. Lower down, the river winds through Slickrock Canyon where the silence is broken only by the roar of whitewater. Several side canyons contain fascinating prehistoric Anasazi pictographs and ruins. It is slick rock, quiet water, tree lined campsites and whitewater, a river of many moods, one that will change your view of life.


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 on all classes of rivers including all those Dvorak Expeditions run.


Transportation

PRE-TRIP ARRANGEMENTS BY PLANE: Arrive in Cortez the day prior to the trip. Dvorak Expeditions will pick you up at the TURQUOISE MOTOR INN at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the first day of your trip and transport you to the river put-in point near Cahone. All trips over 5 days will leave out of Grand Junction: At trip's end Dvorak Expeditions will take you to your lodging in Grand Junction, Co., the afternoon of the last day of your trip. You can fly out of Grand Junction the following morning.

BY CAR: Meet at Bradford Bridge (see map) by 8:30 a.m. on the first day of your trip. Dvorak Expeditions will rendezvous with you at the river put-in parking lot or you will see their van & trailer, etc. Shuttle of your vehicle will need to be arranged prior to the trip. Call for cost and details. You will have your vehicle at the Bedrock take-out around 3:00 p.m. on the last day of your trip.

NOTE SHUTTLES: On trips longer than 5 days, you will need to arrange to have your vehicle shuttled to the appropriate take-out point. Cost will vary according to length of shuttle ($50 - $175 estimate). TRANSFER COST (Pick Up / Drop off) : 3 to 12 day trips, pick up and drop off by Dvoraks $35 per person.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AT TRIPS END After derigging and loading equipment late afternoon on the last day of your trip, Dvorak Expeditions will either: • Shuttle you back to either Cortez or Grand Junction. . • Arrange to have your car shuttled to the take-out at an extra cost. (See your confirmation letter) . Although you can usually make a connecting flight home after 7:00 p.m. on the last day of the trip, we recommend you fly out the following morning in case inclement weather or other circumstances delays our arrival in Grand Junction. Remember, "River Time" is unpredictable.

TRAVEL INFORMATION BY AIR: There are several airlines with flights into Walker Field, Grand Junction, CO. airport from a variety of connecting cities. Cortez is serviced by Continental Express from Denver with three flights daily Sun. - Fri. and two flights Saturday. It is best to book your air round trip from your home city rather than booking from Denver.

BY CAR: Slickrock or Bedrock can be reached easiest by car by either: (1) Taking I-70 to Grand Junction then take Hwy #50 south to Whitewater, then Hwy #141 south to Slickrock. To get to Bedrock, turn off Hwy #141 onto Hwy #90 just north of Naturita, or (2) Taking Hwy #50 west to Montrose, south on Hwy #550 to Ridgeway, west on Hwy #62 to Placerville. Continue west on Hwy #145 to the Hwy #141 junction. Go south on Hwy #141 to Slickrock or north on #141 through Naturita to Hwy #90 to get to Bedrock.

 


Accommodations

ACCOMMODATIONS We recommend the following lodging pre- and post-trip:

(Flying into Cortez then Our pick-up location in Cortez:) The Turquoise Inn & Suites 535 East Main Street Cortez, Co. 81321 Ph. (970) 565-3778 (Our 3 or 5 day trips)

The Grande Vista Hotel 2790 Crossroads Blvd. Grand Junction, CO 81506 (800) 228-2828 or (970) 241-8411

The Ramada Inn 752 Horizon Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81506 (800)272-6232 or (970)243-5150

Closest lodging to the meeting location of Bedrock, CO  Pick up required. Ray's Motel  & The Bunk House  123 E. Main St. or PO Box 50 Naturita, CO 81422 (970) 865-2700  DSL and heated pool.

Best Western / Red Arrow Motel 1702 East Main St. (Hwy 50) Montrose, CO 81401 (800) 468-9323 or (970) 249-9641 TRAVEL