| | -
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
3 |
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
| | |
|
| Kayak | 27.00 Miles |
|
| | Kayak | 27.00 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| | | |
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Had an opportunity to run this when a friend won the SJ lotto. Amazing river, very scenic, and so many interesting things to see along the way. I guess the number one things I would say are:
1.) make sure you bring the right boat (I didn't, buuuut it ended up being okay)
2.) if you can avoid going when it's windy, that is preferable
The weather wasn't the best on the way up. Very windy drive, and sleet in Kayenta Saturday morning. I think the word of the trip was "apprehensive." High was 60, water was 50, low of around 34. Mostly cloudy. But it's been a while since my fun was type II.
We got into the 'yaks a little late in the day (maybe around 10am?), and started paddling. Cracked a river beer early because first off, it's a river (duh) and second, the real "fun" doesn't start until about a third of the way in. We stopped some miles down and checked out the ruins and petroglyphs and views. Definitely a real treat. Traveled down the river some more. The water was running around 2100cfs so we were moving well. Not too fast and definitely not slow. There was a bit of choppiness, but mostly due to wind I think. Pulled over before Four Foot Rapid to scout, then ran it left. LL has a nice short whitewater kayak, so she went through just fine. Claire's (Lee's) boat is slightly shorter and fatter than mine, and she went through just fine. My boat is 12' and skinny and I was unable to correct through the rapids and had to bail. First experience in a rapid without a boat, but LL tossed the rope bag and I grabbed my paddle and the rope and eventually the boat too. Cold, wet, and in a canyon... we got to Midway and set up camp for the night. So nice and quiet; we were the only ones there.
Second day was much nicer. Again, apprehensive... we portaged my boat around Eight Foot Rapid, and LL ran both her and Claire's boats through without issue. Then through the bighorn preserve. Didn't see any animals there, but Claire had spotted a couple across from camp the night before. We got to Ledges faster than anticipated, and before we knew it we were all through, no problems! Pulled over on the nice beach right after and had sandwiches with a giant screaming crow. Cracked open more river beers after this point, because everything was easy at this point. Very nice views and warm direct sunlight the rest of the trip! Floated past Mexican Hat, and then eventually found our destination.
Really amazing trip, and although I was swearing like a damned sailor half the trip, I think I'd go again if the opportunity presented itself... but this time with a nice fat sit-on-top! |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
