Black Canyon (Colorado River) Canoe Trip - Sept. 27 &28

[hikeaz]

Black Canyon - Detailed Trip Itinerary for September 27th & 28th, 2003

$65.00 per person includes canoe & life vest rental, permits and shuttle

Summary
Enjoy a relaxing canoe trip through the spectacularly scenic Black Canyon section of the Colorado River. Paralleling the Arizona / Nevada boarder, this is a calm section of the Colorado River which meanders it’s way through rugged red cliffs. We’ll travel a total of 13 miles over two days exploring the hundreds of hot springs and side canyons along the way.

The Trip
We will be picked up at 7 AM sharp Saturday the 27th @ Willow Beach by our outfitter. After driving north to the Dam, carrying our gear and canoes down to the river, packing the canoes, we will launch just below Hoover Dam. The massive 700 foot wall of cement just a hundred yards away will dwarf our tiny canoes as we set afloat on the crystal clear blue/green waters of the Colorado.

Our first day we’ll travel approximately 5 miles and visit a spectacular 132º sauna cave and explore Boyscout Canyon and Goldstrike Canyon. Both canyons have numerous hot springs, wonderful rock formations and weeping walls with amazing colorful growths of algae and ferns. We’ll boulder hop up the canyon trying out the many hot pools to find one that’s just our temperature. We’ll have lunch at, or near, Boyscout Canyon and leave plenty of time for exploration and photographs.

Heading further down stream, we’ll reach or camp for the night at midday. Arizona Hot Springs offers a dump toilet, nice sandy beach with plenty of room for tents.

Finish off the evening with a short hike up the canyon and enjoy a warm soak in the hot springs - a perfect way to top off an adventurous day on the river.

We will rise early Sunday morning the 28th, have breakfast and get gear packed away in the canoes. Paddling 8 miles to our pullout destination, we’ll again have some canyons, historic gauging station and a fish hatchery to explore. There will be a good chance we’ll see some big horn sheep along the river too. We will reach our pullout destination around 2pm, and our cars will be located at our starting point.

Conservation Issues
The natural beauty of this canyon attracts many visitors each year. It is important that each visitor conduct himself or herself in a manner which does not harm or spoil this area for future generations. Do not litter, we will pack out all trash. Do not leave food out anywhere, which can create rodent problems. There are two toilet facilities along the river, one of which is where we will be camping for the night. If you need to urinate, please do so in the river or other moving water. This prevents the canyons from smelling when urine hits the warm, dry rocks! The area gets less than 3 inches of rain each year, so there is little to wipe away human stains. If you must relieve yourself further (#2), do so at least 100 feet from any water source and dig a hole at east 6 inches deep. After relieving yourself in the hole, bury the waste. Pack out all toilet paper!

Many of the canyons we will be exploring have beautiful algae stalactites hanging from the walls. Please do not touch or disturb these in any way. They take a long time to rebuild and contribute to the beauty of the canyon. Additionally, you will notice many colorful algae formations in the pools, streams and rock crevices. Please make every attempt to leave these undisturbed.

Trip Difficulty
This trip is rated “easy” and requires no special skills. This calm section of the river is excellent for novice canoeists. The day trips down the canyon involve some boulder hopping. Hike as far back as you feel comfortable. At times we will be hiking up the river and through the water. Algae forms on the rocks and these can be quite slippery. With care, a watchful eye and a little balance, everyone should be able to enjoy all of the activities.

Food and Meals
Remember, food is the only reason we camp by canoe and the ice chest is what separates the civilized voyager from the trailside grunt. But bear in mind that you'll need to carry (to/from/in) the canoe all that you bring.
Packing list
Clothing: Hat in case of a bad hair day, sun, or to keep your head warm
Shirts - 1 tank, 1 short and 1 long sleeved . . . to protect against the sun or wind
Shorts - it gets pretty warm out there at times . . . damn hot!
Sweatshirt - it gets cool too . . . can’t win huh?
Pants - may get cold at night
Socks for use off the river for comfort and warmth
Shoes - make sure you keep a dry pair for evening and to hike around. An old pair of tennies or Tevas are fine during the day.
Swimsuit (sometimes optional) to enjoy the hot pools
Rain gear - parka, poncho or rain gear just in case
Gloves if paddling might give you blisters . . . “Wimps”

Sun Protection:

Sunblock for those of you who are “fish belly” white and want to stay that way
Lip Balm to keep those sweet little lips from burning and chapping
Sun Glasses so we look cool

River Toys:

Fishing Gear, but you must have current license with river sticker
Others - squirt guns, Frisbee, hackie sack. . .

Overnight Camping:

Tent - most likely a tent will not be necessary. A night spent under the stars is the best way to enjoy a desert evening. However, if you want to avoid creepy crawlers, bad weather, sun, wind and all that outdoor stuff and . . . privacy at night ... bring one along
Sleeping Bag - no I don’t mean your partner!
Ground Pad to avoid sleeping on rocks and waking up cranky
Beach Chair to sit around the campfire
Flashlight for those dreaded night calls to the . . . yes you know where . . . the “potty”, where snakes, spiders, bats, ants, creepy crawlers, coyotes and all that sort of stuff lurks . . . don’t worry, they only come out at night!

Food:

Cooler for beverages . . . this way the T.L. can mooch off you and save money . . . pretty smart huh?
Meals for: Lunch/Dinner Saturday, as well as breakfast/lunch Sunday, as well as beverages, stove, etc.....
Utensils - bring a plate, cup, spoon, knife and fork ... unless a flat rock and fingers will do

Other Stuff:
Toiletries don’t bring the bathroom, travel light so you don’t sink the canoe

Toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, washcloth, bar of soap, toilet paper
Trash bags - a must to keep your gear dry and of course for trash
Aspirin, Tylenol, Midol . . . whatever!
Camera - we need some good pictures of the trip
Rope to tie stuff down in the canoe
Towel to wrap up in after hot pooling

[Billy]

This sounds like such an awesome trip, love your write up
What a great birthday present to myself this would be, when is the latest you would need to know if someone is going to commit to doing this trip?

[hikeaz]

Billy,
It is "first come - first served".
I pre-paid for 30 permits.
20 spots are already taken (within 2 weeks).
So it's a little bit of a "crap shoot" if you plan to wait.

[Billy]

Gotcha, okay then.........guess I'll have to make up my mind quick

Thank you much.