Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 27, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Anyone interested in joining me on a canoe trip on the Green River through Canyonlands over the Labor Day weekend?
This will require 53 miles of paddling on VERY calm waters through Stillwater Canyon. Time will be available for a full day hike into the Dollhouse (Maze District) on the last day. No previous canoe experience required.
The section of the Green River offers what is considered by many to be the premier calm water canoe and sea kayak trips in the US.
7 days on the river
Shuttle and gear from Tex's Riverways
Departure from Moab - 8 AM Sept 5
Put-in - Mineral Bottom
Take-out - Spanish Bottom (@ Green - Colorado Confluence) 11 AM Return to Moab via the Colorado on a jet boat shuttle - arrive late afternoon, Sept 11
Costs per person:
- shuttles - $140
- canoe outfit rental - $70 ($20 per day per canoe - or you can bring your own)
Cost for the group:
- permit $20
- toilet $35
Food & camping gear:
- you are responsible for your own supplies
- if there is an interest, dinners could be planned as a group.
September is very popular, especially over the Labor Day weekend.
At the moment there are still 6 slots available for Sept 5(Sat) to Sept 11(Fri). That is a VERY leisurely 7 days on the river.
To reserve a space requires a nonrefundable deposit of $50 per person with Tex's Riverways. I'll collect the deposits for the group and acquire the permit.
The maximum group size will be 8 people.
Let me know ASAP if you have an interest.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 28, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Correction:
The canoe rental is $20 per day, but there are 2 people per canoe, so that would be $70 per person - not $140.
Total cost ~ $234 per person
(including:Shuttle, canoes, toilet, permits, tax)
Posted by Mel Ladewig on March 28, 2009 at 8:32 AM
That sounds really cool to me. I'll talk with my wife about it and let you know. We have our own canoe.
Posted by Timothy Tonge on March 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Any additional info?
Stops for photos each day? Safe to bring the camera gear?
Where do we camp?
Sounds interesting but curious on a bit more info.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Timothy,
Camera gear, including large format, is very appropriate. My objective is photography. Stop wherever and for as long as you want.
Camping along the river is totally open - all sites are first come, first served.
At that time of year the water levels are low and there are lots of sand bars exposed.
Also, most side canyons have great camping spots.
In terms of camera safety - a pelican case or waterproof camera pack is most convenient.
However, you could stuff your existing camera pack into a dry bag - that is just slightly less convenient to access.
There will be lots of opportunities for photography each day, and time for side hikes into canyons. I've run this section once before in 4 days, so 7 days is VERY leisurely. The only requirement is to average at least 10 miles per day. You can drift at 2 mph without even bothering to paddle.
The first day will stop a Fort Bottom. There is a large Anazazi tower overlooking the river and a great panoramic view into canyonlands.
One camp will definitely be at Turk's Head to explore the ruins.
Water and Jasper Canyons will definitely be stops for ruins and possibly a hike to the rim.
By late Day 5 we should be reaching the Confluence and camping at Spanish Bottom.
That would leave Day 6 for an early start for a hike to the Doll House. That's a 1,500 ft. climb to the rim. I have not made this hike before, so I have no idea of what to expect.
On Day 7 we will be picked up at Spanish Bottom (11 AM) and return to Moab via Jetboat.
That's a ~ 3 hr trip on the Colorado River. Lot's of good scenery, but they only make one or two brief stops.
Discussion
9 repliesThis will require 53 miles of paddling on VERY calm waters through Stillwater Canyon. Time will be available for a full day hike into the Dollhouse (Maze District) on the last day. No previous canoe experience required.
The section of the Green River offers what is considered by many to be the premier calm water canoe and sea kayak trips in the US.
7 days on the river
Shuttle and gear from Tex's Riverways
Departure from Moab - 8 AM Sept 5
Put-in - Mineral Bottom
Take-out - Spanish Bottom (@ Green - Colorado Confluence) 11 AM Return to Moab via the Colorado on a jet boat shuttle - arrive late afternoon, Sept 11
Costs per person:
- shuttles - $140
- canoe outfit rental - $70 ($20 per day per canoe - or you can bring your own)
Cost for the group:
- permit $20
- toilet $35
Food & camping gear:
- you are responsible for your own supplies
- if there is an interest, dinners could be planned as a group.
September is very popular, especially over the Labor Day weekend.
At the moment there are still 6 slots available for Sept 5(Sat) to Sept 11(Fri). That is a VERY leisurely 7 days on the river.
To reserve a space requires a nonrefundable deposit of $50 per person with Tex's Riverways. I'll collect the deposits for the group and acquire the permit.
The maximum group size will be 8 people.
Let me know ASAP if you have an interest.
The canoe rental is $20 per day, but there are 2 people per canoe, so that would be $70 per person - not $140.
Total cost ~ $234 per person
(including:Shuttle, canoes, toilet, permits, tax)
Stops for photos each day? Safe to bring the camera gear?
Where do we camp?
Sounds interesting but curious on a bit more info.
Camera gear, including large format, is very appropriate. My objective is photography. Stop wherever and for as long as you want.
Camping along the river is totally open - all sites are first come, first served.
At that time of year the water levels are low and there are lots of sand bars exposed.
Also, most side canyons have great camping spots.
In terms of camera safety - a pelican case or waterproof camera pack is most convenient.
However, you could stuff your existing camera pack into a dry bag - that is just slightly less convenient to access.
There will be lots of opportunities for photography each day, and time for side hikes into canyons. I've run this section once before in 4 days, so 7 days is VERY leisurely. The only requirement is to average at least 10 miles per day. You can drift at 2 mph without even bothering to paddle.
The first day will stop a Fort Bottom. There is a large Anazazi tower overlooking the river and a great panoramic view into canyonlands.
One camp will definitely be at Turk's Head to explore the ruins.
Water and Jasper Canyons will definitely be stops for ruins and possibly a hike to the rim.
By late Day 5 we should be reaching the Confluence and camping at Spanish Bottom.
That would leave Day 6 for an early start for a hike to the Doll House. That's a 1,500 ft. climb to the rim. I have not made this hike before, so I have no idea of what to expect.
On Day 7 we will be picked up at Spanish Bottom (11 AM) and return to Moab via Jetboat.
That's a ~ 3 hr trip on the Colorado River. Lot's of good scenery, but they only make one or two brief stops.
Here's a travelogue that provides a flavor of Stillwater.
http://www.solarnet.org/Travel/Stillwater/index.htm
Sorry I don't have any photos to share. During my last trip I wasn't into photography, just having a good time with the family.
Note: sea kayaks are also available for rental - but obviously they carry much less gear than a canoe.
FYI: commercial, 7 day trips through Stillwater cost over $1,000 per person. So cooking your own meals can save a lot of cash.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Incidently, the dollhouse is an amazing camp location if you can get a backcountry permit from the NPS. Darren, Kalin and I stayed there last May.
I sent you both emails.
I just sent you an email about the trip and my email is dlloyd@unitedhomeins.com. Thanks.
Dottie
For anyone else interested, please contact me by Friday PM.
I will be traveling and out of contact for the remainder of April, and will not be able to check on available space until May.
If anyone would like to be placed on a waiting list, in case of a cancellation, please send me an email.