Summary

Green River - Desolation & Gray Canyons - 6 Days

Prices From	USD$ $995.00
1st Departure	05.23.2009
Provider	Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Exp Inc
Destination	Green River
Duration	6 days
Challenge	Easy
Avg Rating	Not Rated

86 Miles Class II-III

John Wesley Powell declared this canyon wilderness " A region of wildest desolation". Outlaws and characters like Butch Cassidy and Flatnosed Curry escaped to the remoteness of this canyon. Today Desolation and Gray remain some of the wildest desert canyon territory in the U.S. Home of the Fremont Indian pictorgraphs, abandoned homesteads, shadow filled grottoes and the Green River. Over 60 rapids, side canyon hikes, excellent kayaking for beginner to intermediate levels. The best family trip you can imagine and will never forget.

MINIMUM AGE is 5

Air shuttle from Grand Junction or Green River ($157) sales tax and government use fee (4%) and $18 pilot fee per person additional

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, 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 • 5-6 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 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 light 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 Grande Vista Hotel, Grand Junction, Colorado 2790 Crossroads Blvd. Grand Junction, CO 81506 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 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 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 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. 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 Follow the path of the likes of Butch Cassidy, the mysterious "D. Julien", Flatnose Curry and Major John Wesley Powell who called this canyon wilderness "a region of wildest desolation". Today, Desolation and Gray Canyons remain one of the wildest desert wilderness places on the map, a place of Indian petroglyphs, abandoned homesteads, shadow-filled grottos and the Green River. The Green River builds strength through more than 60 rapids, two newly formed in 1987. The progression of rapids, from unnamed riffles to the more challenging Three Fords, Steer Ridge, Coal Creek and Rattlesnake, make this a perfect place to learn the art and skills of river running. Most of our whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing seminars are held here. Whether learning to boat yourself or just looking for an adventure in the Old West, a trip through the Green River Wilderness can be the answer for just about anyone, family fun for every age. An "Ideal" family trip. 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-TRIP ARRANGEMENTS BY AIR: Arrive in Grand Junction, Colorado the day prior to your trip. There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Grande Vista Hotel that evening to go over trip logistics and answer questions. The following morning the Grande Vista will provide transportation to the Grand Junction Airport West Star Aviation Bldg. by 7:00 a.m. You will check in at the charter air terminal just east of the main commercial terminal and inform them that you are there to catch a Red Tail Aviation charter flight at 8:00* a.m. (Some flight times vary - see confirmation letter). The flight to the put-in takes approximately 45 minutes. It will fly over the Green River on the way. Arrive in Green River, Utah by car or plane the day prior to your trip. The morning your trip begins, drive out to Red Tail Aviation at the Green River Municipal Airport for your 7:00* a.m. flight to the river. There is no pre-trip meeting in Green River. Parking at the airport is secure. The landing strip is on the mesa above the river. Wait there for our vehicle to pick you up to take you down to the launch area at the river. Any extra belongings, valuables or equipment not needed on the river trip should be stored at your hotel/motel. Red Tail Aviation (800) 595-3412 in Grand Junction BY CAR: You will need to arrive in Grand Junction for the pre-trip orientation meeting the night before your trip or arrive at the West Star Aviation Airport in Grand Junction at 7:00* a.m. the morning your trip begins Alternatively you can arrive at the Green River Municipal Airport, four miles south of Green River, Utah, at 6:45 a.m. on the morning of the first day of your trip. Report to Red Tail Aviation at the terminal office for your flight at 7:00* a.m. to the Green River. Any extra belongings, valuables or equipment not needed on the river trip should be stored in your vehicle. ACCOMMODATIONS In Grand Junction we recommend for pre- and post-trip: Our pre-trip meeting location: Grande Vista Hotel 2790 Crossroads Blvd. Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 (800) 228-2828 or (970) 241-8411 FAX: (970) 241-1077 Adams Marks Hotel 743 Horizon Drive Grand Junction, CO 81506 Ph. (970) 241-8888 The Holiday Inn 755 Horizon Drive Grand Junction, CO 81506 (800)HOL-IDAY Days INN 733 Horizon Dr. Grand Junction, Co 81506 Ph.(970) 245-7200 Transportation to and from the airport is available by courtesy vehicle from the hotel/motel. Use the courtesy phone in the baggage area. Make arrangements on arrival for transport back to the airport the following morning for your early flight. In Green River, Utah, we recommend the following: River Terrace/Best Western On the Banks of the Green 880 East Main Street Green River, UT 84525 Ph. (435) 564-3401 Motel 6 946 East Main Street Green River, UT 84525 Ph. (435)564-3436 Book Cliff Lodge 395 East Main Street Green River, UT 8452 Ph. (435) 564-3650 or 564-3406 TRAVEL INFORMATION BY AIR: There are several airlines with flights into Walker Field, Grand Junction, Co. from a variety of connecting cities, such as: America West (800) 235-9292 United Airlines (800) 241-6522 BY CAR: Grand Junction can be reached from east or west on Interstate 70. It is approximately 6 hours drive east from Denver. You can also reach Green River, Utah on Interstate 70 from east or west. Rental Car Companies available: Avis (800) 331-1212 Budget (800) 527-0700 National (800) CAR RENT Thrifty (800) 367-2277 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AT TRIPS END After derigging and loading equipment late afternoon on the last day of your trip, Dvorak Expeditions will either: • Take you back to your motel/hotel in Green River or Grand Junction (included in the trip cost) • Arrange to have your car shuttled to the take-out at an extra cost of approximately $125 per vehicle (subject to change without notice and by special arrangement only) After packing up, it takes approximately ½ hour to drive back to Green River and about 1-3/4 hours back to Grand Junction from Swaysies take-out. Although you can usually make a connecting flight home on the evening of the last day of the trip, we recommend you fly out the following morning in case inclement weather or other circumstances delay our departure from the river. Remember, "River Time" is unpredictable.