Raft & Sail - water adventures

Sierra, Jan, 2000

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. 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 2-6. 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 inhabits 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: Jon Kangas. Price: $795; Dep: $100. [00080A]

Dolores River: Forest to Desert, San Juan Forest, Colorado. May 15-20. Raft through 100 miles of one of the West's most beautiful and varied 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 ancient Anasazi rock art. Leader: Paul Middleton. Price: $895; Dep: $100. [00081A]

Sailing the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, Canada. May 16-25. This archipelago, known as the "Canadian Galapagos," is one of the richest biological areas in North America, offering wilderness unsurpassed for cruising and exploring. Join our naturalist aboard a luxurious 68-foot sailboat to explore old-growth forests, sea lion rookeries, and tidal pools; visit a Haida Indian village; watch for a variety of birds and five species of whales; and dine in style! Leader: Herb Grench. Price: $2,295; Dep: $200. [00082A]

Yampa River Rafting, Dinosaur Monument, Utah. May 29-June 2. The Colorado's last undammed tributary, the Yampa, roars 72 miles through the colorful canyon maze of Dinosaur National Monument. Late-spring runoff 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 above us, is home to bighorn sheep, eagles, otter, and other wildlife. Leader: Bruce Macpherson. Price: $840; Dep: $100. [00083A]

Colorful Canyonlands Rafting and Hiking, Canyonlands Park, Utah. June 11-15. Experience the contrast between the tranquil beauty of Stillwater Canyon and the frothy whitewater gauntlet of Cataract Canyon. We'll explore 100 miles of magical, awe-inspiring Canyonlands as we raft the Green and Colorado rivers. Unique geology, unsurpassed hiking, Anasazi ruins, and the wild waves of the legendary Big Drops make this one of the West's premier wilderness adventures! Leader: Cristina Breen. Price: $895; Dep: $100. [00270A]

Canyon Country Family Raft Adventure, San Juan River, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah. June 15-18. 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 5. Leader: Tim Wernette. Price: adult $770, child $660; Dep: $100, [00271A]

Canyon Country Family Raft Adventure, San Juan River, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah. June 18-21, Like [00271A] above, but beginning a little lower on the river will allow more free time. Leader: Tony Strano. Price: adult $770, child $660 Dep: $100. [00272A]

The Canning River Expedition, Arctic Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. June 19-28. See the Alaska section on page 65 for more information. Leader: Jon Kangas. Price: $2,195; Dep: $200. [00025A]

Wild and Scenic Canyonlands Combo, Green and Colorado Rivers, Canyonlands Park, Utah. June 24-30. Experience the contrast between the absolute tranquility of Stillwater Canyon and sheer adventure of Westwater and Cataract canyons. We'll raft two of the roughest stretches of whitewater on the Colorado culminating in the Big Drops, "the biggest waves in the West!" The best that Canyonlands has to offer--great rapids, unsurpassed scenery, Anasazi ruins, amazing side canyon hikes--in one unforgettable week. Leader: Jim Murphy Price: $1,290; Dep: $200. [00273A]

Canyon Country Family Raft Adventure, San Juan River, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah. June 26--30, This trip is like [00271A] above, but adding an extra day will allow us more free time. Leader: Steve Burns. Price: adult $880, child $770; Dep: $100. [00274A]

Full Grand Canyon Raft, Colorado River, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. June 30-July 12. 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. Explore the geology, flora, fauna, artifacts, and side canyons of the Grand Canyon. Either relax in an oar-powered raft, or help paddle a paddle raft. Enjoy personal time, relaxation, photography, and more! Leader: Margie Tomenko. Price: $2,590; Dep: $200. [00275A]