Raft & Sail

Shoot the rapids, float down a canyon, or sail from inlet to inlet. Sit back and appreciate the patterns of light and shadow on a far canyon wall or challenge yourself to pilot through a tough stretch of river. Raft Trips offer exhilarating opportunities to ride the water and enjoy the awesome geologic wonders it has carved. Or, harness another powerful force of nature on one of our Sailing Trips. You'll have ample time to explore on foot, too, with dayhikes along the way. Jump in and try a water adventure!

Canyonlands of the Owyhee River, Owyhee Canyons Wilderness Study Area, Oregon. May 3-7. Runnable only in the spring when upstream snowmelt briefly fills the canyon with rushing water and challenging rapids, the Owyhee of southeastern Oregon is the most remote, pristine river we run. Wildlife inhabit the rimrock and golden eagles soar above. A very special river--wild, isolated, and pure--its canyons rival the stunning beauty of Bryce and Zion. Leader: Rebecca LeCheminant. Price: $790; Dep: $100. [99060A]

San Juan River/Cedar Mesa Rafting and Backpacking, Grand Gulch Primitive Area, Utah. May 8-16. Enjoy the best of both river running and backpacking on this exploration of the canyons of the San Juan River in southeastern Utah. Float the gentle San Juan for three days, including passage through its deeply cut "goosenecks," then backpack for four days into Grand Gulch and Slickrock Canyon. An on-trip archaeologist will explain the area's rich cultural treasures. Leader: Paul Middleton. Price: $990; Dep: $100. [99061A]

Dolores River: Forest to Desert, San Juan Forest, Colorado. May 17-21. Raft through 100 miles of one of the West's most beautiful rivers, beginning in the wooded, mile-high Ponderosa Gorge and concluding in deep Slickrock Canyon in the desert. We'll run Three-Mile and Snaggletooth rapids (Class IVs), many Class II and III rapids, culminating in the fury of The Narrows. Plenty of time for exploring side canyons and viewing Anasazi rock art. Leader: Mary O'Connor. Price: $790; Dep: $100. [99062A]

Grand Canyon: Upper Half--Marble Gorge, Arizona. May 18-23. Explore the most beautiful half of the Grand Canyon, traveling 90 miles from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch. Marble Gorge, named by Major Powell for the beauty of the canyon's walls, has some of the best rapids: House Rock, Roaring Twenties, Hance, Sockdolager. We'll explore Red Wall Cavern, Vasey's Paradise, Silver Grotto, and Nanokweap granaries, and swim the turquoise waters of the Little Colorado. Leader: J. Muir Macpherson. Price: $1,330; Dep: $200. [99063A]

Yampa River Rafting, Dinosaur Monument, Utah. May 31-June 4. The Colorado River's last undammed tributary, the Yampa, roars 72 miles through the colorful canyon maze of Dinosaur National Monument. Late-spring run-off provides over 40 Class III+ rapids, including Tepee, Big Joe, and the legendary Warm Springs Rapid (Class V)! This beautiful canyon, with its 1.5 billion-year-old walls towering 2,000 feet above us, is the home to bighorn sheep, eagles, falcons, otter, and other wildlife. Leader: Bruce Macpherson. Price: $790; Dep: $100. [99064A]

Upper Green River Natural History, Dinosaur Monument, Utah. June 13-17. Explore 120 miles carved by the Green River through three geologically unique redrock canyons. The Gates of Lodore, Whirlpool Canyon, and Split Mountain were extensively journaled by Major Powell. We'll focus on interpreting the natural and human history of this area rich in wildlife and ancient Indian and western history. With Class II-III rapids for excitement and moderate hiking, this is a trip for every ability. Leader: Marie Cecchini. Price: $845; Dep: $100. [99270A]

Canyon Country Family Raft Adventure, San Juan River, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah. June 17-20. Our family float will take us through 83 miles of Class II rapids along the Navajo Nation, through the colorful canyons of the Colorado Plateau to our take-out on Lake Powell. We'll discover Anasazi ruins and rock art, swim in a side canyon, build sand castles, and play in the "duckies." Our staff will cook for us and provide special activities for the children. Minimum age is five. Leader: Margie Tomenko. Price: adult $775, child $665; Dep: $100. [99271A]

Mountain Biking the Kokopelli Trail/Rafting the Colorado, Utah. June 19-24. See description in the Bicycle section on page 69 for more details. Leaders: Tony Rango and Joe Costello. Price: $850; Dep: $100. [99180A]

Canyon Country Family Raft Adventure, San Juan River, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah. June 20-23. An additional offering of a popular trip. See description for [99271A] above. Leader: Cristina Breen. Price: adult $775, child $665; Dep: $100. [99272A]

Full Grand Canyon Raft, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. June 21-July 3. Explore the geology, flora, fauna, artifacts, and side-canyons of the Grand Canyon while relaxing in an oar-powered raft or helping paddle a paddle raft. As we ride the famed rapids of the Colorado, we'll stop often to visit interesting sites and take challenging hikes often missed by commercial trips. Time for personal seclusion, relaxation, and photography. Minimum age is 12. Leader: Jim Murphy Price: $2,445; Dep: $200. [99273A]