Colorado River Ruby-Horsethief Canyons with hikes

Dates:  May 6 – 8,2026

Class I river float with camping & hikes

Trip Coordinators:

Karla Tanner (kat81521@gmail.com)

Float Plan:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026  Meet at James Robb State Park in Fruita at 8 a.m.  (Colorado State Park pass required.)  Shuttle to Westwater and launch early enough so that we can stop at Rattlesnake Canyon to hike.  Camp at Cottonwood 3 (9 miles downstream from Fruita).

Thursday, May 7, 2026:  Paddle 9 miles to Split Rock campsite.  Arrive early enough so that anyone who wishes can hike over to Black Rocks and into Moore Canyon.

Friday, May 8: Paddle 10 miles to Westwater take-out with a stop at McDonald Canyon to hike up to the petroglyphs.

Preferred craft:

Canoes and hard-sided decked kayaks preferred.  The river will likely be very cold and low.  An upriver wind is always a possibility.  Inflatable kayaks and dories are OK for strong kayakers and rowers.  Pack rafts and SUPs are not invited on this trip.

Permit limit

The permit is for 10 people.

Gear:

Standard overnight canoe camping gear and your own food and water.  Everyone needs to bring WAG bag(s) for personal use.  Coordinators will bring an extra kayak paddle and firepan to meet BLM regulations (but no fire planned).

Utah regulations:

Take the Utah Aquatic Invasive Species test online and put one copy of the certificate in your car and one in your boat.  Utah Division of Wildlife Resources – Online Exams

Possible add-on trips

Before the Event: Optional non-ACA outing with car camping on Tuesday, May 5 in Rabbit Valley along the Jouflas Trail for a view looking down from the canyon rim to Split Rock, Black Rocks and Knowles Canyon.  After the Event: Optional non-ACA paddle with car camping Saturday, May 9 with a float from Cisco to Dewey Bridge.  When you rsvp, please let Karla know if you are interested in either add-on trips.

ACA Liability Insurance

This is a trip with ACA liability insurance.  If you are a current ACA member on September 20, 2026, you are all set. Non ACA members need to purchase an “Event Membership” and pay the ACA’s $10 fee.

You can print (NEW ACA WAIVER) in advance or fill out the form your trip coordinator has at the put in. Pay $10 cash or pay by check payable to the ACA to the trip coordinator before you get on the water. Minor waivers are at: AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION, INC

Another option is to use the new ACA Online event waivers.  When doing the on-line waiver use the event name: Spring Ruby.  Use the date:  May 6-8, 2026.  After you have communicated with your trip coordinator, you can sign an Event Waiver online using this link:  https://aca.sport80.com/public/wizard/a/1370/home.  This wizard will have you create an account with the ACA without becoming a full-fledged ACA member.   This waiver will not collect the $10 fee in advance.  Take $10 cash (or a check to ACA) to the put in.  If you want to create an Event Waiver and pay the fee directly to the ACA, use this link:  https://aca.sport80.com/public/wizard/a/1371/home. Again, you will be creating an account with the ACA just for the purpose of signing and paying for an event waiver.  Warning: No refunds if you pay the ACA for the event waiver in advance even if the event is cancelled.  The Trip Master should be able to give the trip coordinators a list of all who have done online waivers on or before September 15, 2026, and use the correct event name and date.  You should also print your waiver receipt and bring it to the put in.

Safe Paddling Guidelines

In order to maintain our liability insurance, it’s important that all members and guests read and follow our safe paddling guidelines. Here’s a link  https://rockymountaincanoeclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RMCC-Boating-Requirements-and-Recommendations-2020.pdf