Desolation and Gray Canyons, Green River, Utah, September 10-18

Desolation and Gray Canyons, Green River, Utah
September 10-18

Come explore a desert canyon (Desolation) just added to America’s wilderness areas in February (along with Labyrinth Canyon, Muddy Creek and the San Rafael Swell).

These two desert sandstone canyons provide an 84-mile paddle between the put-in at Sand Wash near Duchesne, Utah and the take-out at Swaseys Rapid above Green River, Utah. The run includes several class two and three or four class three rapids. A good description of the low-water trip is at:

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1854/

The eight-day trip should allow time for side canyon hiking as well as time for scouting the larger rapids to allow portaging or lining for those who are uncertain about running them.

Each boat will need to have all the safety equipment listed on the permit site:

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233393

Each party will be responsible for their own meals.  We may either run our own car shuttle or hire a shuttle service out of Vernal, depending on the participant’s schedules.

To register for the trip contact John McLean at
geospeleo@gmail.com or 303-915-3857.