I saw that nobody has listed a Labor Day trip yet, and figured I would take a poll to see which of these 2 would be more popular:
A) Flaming Gorge from below the dam (or could start at Little Hole to avoid the 5 miles of 100’s of fishermen) for 2.5 days ending at the takeout below Swallow Canyon. This is the standard trip that is done every other year or so. Mostly class II+ chutes the 1st day, Red Creek Rapid is class III the 2nd day, a stop at Jarvie Ranch, and a mellow shorter 3rd day. Pay for a shuttle.
B) For something different, I would rent 3 or 4 of the backcountry boat-in tent sites at 11 Mile State Park for Saturday and Sunday nights. We would camp where you want Friday night (just outside the park are some free BLM spots), then boat into our camps Saturday morning at 8:30 to be certain we are ahead of any winds (Ranger says they start as early as 10:00). Then do a circuit of the south 1/4 of the reservoir on Sunday morning and paddle out Monday morning. For afternoons and evenings, people could hike the 5 mile loop trail or the 1.5 mile wetlands trail, play games, fish, do potluck, or whatever is appealing. Note that 1/3/ of these campsites are already reserved, so I would need to make reservations pretty soon to catch the ones that are right on the water. This is a State Park (car fees), and I figure the cost would be between $20 and 25 per tent for camping. It is 1/2 to 3/4 mile to backpack or boat to your camp.
If you are interested in either or both of these options, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can make reservations at 11 Mile right away if that is the preferred choice. Thanks for your quick responses.
Karen A.
303-734-9823
canoekarena@msn.com