Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons, Green River, Utah
Cost: $2,900
Wednesday, April 3 – Thursday, April 11, 2024, 9 days
Canoeing and Canyon Exploration
Day 1, Wednesday, April 3
Our journey starts in Moab Utah, an outdoor Mecca of the Southwest. We will meet at 5 PM (we are currently looking for a special accommodation to partner with, more details on a meeting place soon!) After a pre-trip meeting, we will share dinner followed by personal gear check, and packing
Day 2, Thursday, April 4
After breakfast and a beautiful drive through the desert, we will launch our canoes on the Green River at Ruby Ranch and cover the first 10 miles to the entrance of Labyrinth Canyon, camping at Trin-Alcove Bend
Days 3 – 7, Friday, April 5 – Tuesday, April 9
Ahead of us are 90 miles of moving river, breathtaking scenery, a rich archeological record of ancient civilizations, and spectacular hikes in red rock canyons. We will fall into the rhythm of river life, waking up to greet the rising sun, stretching on the beach, gliding into the stillness of the morning, marveling at the millions of years of geological record, setting camp, collecting firewood and enjoying relaxing dinners and company by the fire while the stars fill the dark sky. There are so many things to do for different interests, from rock climbing on slick rock and scrambling out of the canyons on the mesa to studying a multitude of desert plants, to cooking and baking on an open fire, or enjoying the solitude and stillness of the canyons, interrupted only by the call of a raven.
Day 8, Wednesday, April 10
This is our last paddling day. We will reach the mysterious confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers and paddle down to Spanish Bottom, camping just upstream of the mouth of Cataract Canyon.Time and weather permitting, we will hike to a spectacular vista, featuring panoramic views of the canyons, snow-covered mountains, and ancestral granaries.
Day 9, Thursday, April 11
After breakfast, we will de-rig and prepare for the upstream travel on the Colorado River. We will be picked up mid-morning by our partners at Tex’s Riverways. We will travel 60 miles upstream back to Moab on a shallow draft jet boat. Our trip will end in the mid-afternoon.
Weather Notes
Desert weather in the spring is characterized by comfortably cool to warm days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s and cool nights with temperatures in the 40s. We will experience brilliant sunny days, as well as a likelihood of a cold front, that could bring colder temperatures, strong winds, and some rain for a 24-hour stretch. The desert is very dry, with a relative humidity of 10%, requiring us to take seriously the use skin moisturizer and cover-up. It is often calm in the morning with strong afternoon upstream winds. We will fit into this pattern by starting our paddling days early and reaching camp early in the afternoon.
Getting there
While you could fly to a small airport in Moab, it is usually a lot less expensive to fly to Grand Junction, Colorado. From Grand Junction, you can either take a shuttle to Moab or rent a car. It is a two-hour drive. Alternatively, if you like scenic drives, you may choose to drive over the Rockies from Denver (pay attention to late-season snow storms) or down from Salt Lake City. Both drives are spectacular. You may choose to get in touch with other participants and arrange carpools.
Extending your stay
If you choose to stay longer, there is a life-long list of amazing natural places in the Moab region including Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and San Rafael Swell. April is a popular month for visitors, so plan your trip early!
