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Desolation Canyon Raft Trip Itinerary

By Kolben   •   February 5, 2018

Desolation Canyon Rafting Itinerary

Desolation Grey, hardly desolate, is characterized by huge sandy beaches, bighorn sheep, large Cottonwoods, eagles, ancient Puebloan ruins and pictographs, and outlaw ‘s cavern hiding from the law. Travel the same 84-mile path as John Wesley Powell as he travelled the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869 and enjoy over 50 fun and wet rapids, relaxing sections of floating, exploring in an inflatable kayak or sampling of a stand up paddle-board.

Desolation Canyon-Moab, Rafting-Mild to Wild Rafting

Evening prior to your trip:

Verify you have all that is suggested on the packing list, your flight or shuttle arrangements, and if in Moab, check into our office at for a pre trip organizational meeting. If flying be sure all your gear is packed into for light transport and you will get your dry bags the am of your trip at the launch location.

Day One

Enjoy your prearranged (on your own) scenic flight from Moab to our put-in location at Sand Wash. If driving, we will meet you at Sand Wash at 8:00 am.

Wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes for the 1.5 mile hike down into the canyon where our boats are already rigged and waiting. There can be lots of mosquitos so don’t forget your bug repel- lent.

To escape the mosquitos, we will most likely provide a thorough safety orientation on this flat-water section. We frequently have motor assist as well on this calm, flat section of the Green, enabling you time to relax, and get acquainted with your guides and companion adventurers!

Our picnic lunch is on one of the many sandy beaches, and can be mid afternoon, so be sure to pack some granola bars or snacks to hold over the kids. We recommend a fanny pack to keep these essentials nearby.

After 4-5 hours on river, including our lunch spot we will stop for the evening on another fantastic sandy beach. While your guides will tie down the boats, set up camp (kitchen, camp chairs, groover (the portable toilet), we welcome your help in setting up your bedroom (tent) and getting yourself settled. Camp allows plenty of time to relax, explore hikes, play on the beach, soak in some rays, beach games, read a book or nap.

Day Two On…

Wake to the smell of brewing coffee and a crackling fire. The early bird catches the worm as the sunrise can be the most breathtaking part of the day with vibrant, instagram-worthy hues.

Fill yourself on a delicious guide-prepared breakfast, and as they clean up and pack up the kitchen. Your help packing up your gear and tent will be appreciated.
Your guides will rig the boats and secure gear to the boat. Then, it is time to launch on the river for another day of adventure and memories to last a lifetime!

On the river, your upcoming days in this deep canyon (in sections deeper than the Grand Canyon) bring numerous thrilling rapids, 40 million years of history, archeology, geology, petroglyphs, outlaw’s caverns, Butch Cassidy’s abandoned hideout, and ancient Native Ameri- can ruins. The rapids increase in intensity and excitement as we continue through this mag- nificent, memory filed canyon until the final day when we prepare to say goodbye to our new friends, cement in our minds this magnificent scenery and prepare to adjust back to the hustle and bustle of life. At Swasey’s boat ramp, we will shuttle back to Moab, Utah…where you will want to explore Arches National Park and Canyonlands!

Importan Note:

As the river is different every time it is run, so is each trip! Depending on water flows, number of participants, and other circumstances Mother Nature imposes, our itineraries are just estimate!

Desolation Canyon Rafting Map - Mild to Wild Rafting

Find your soul, connect deeper with family and friends, live history, experience 60+ exciting rapids, and rejuvenate on Utah’s amazing Desolation Canyon Rafting trip on the Green River.

 

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