Backcoutry Pass: Rafting Utah's Desolation Canyon (cont.)

You Are Here:

Home >> Travel >> Backcoutry Pass: Rafting Utah's Desolation Canyon (cont.)

Today's Question
Where should I camp in Switzerland with my kids? answer

What's the best volcano to hike up in North America? answer

How can I plan a trip around riding the biggest, fastest roller coasters? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Outside Magazine

Page:

Backcoutry Pass: Rafting Utah's Desolation Canyon (cont.)
Nuts and Bolts

Rapids: More than 60 rated Class I, II, or III.

Runnable Water Levels: 1,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per second.

Permits: $18 per person, required year-round. Apply to the Bureau of Land Management Desolation Canyon River Unit, 435-636-3460. Another permit is required to camp or hike on the river's left bank from mile 7.5 to 70, which has restricted access controlled by the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. Apply to the Tribal Office, 435-722-5511.

Logistics: Drive your gear to Sand Wash, the put-in beach, via the 50-mile-long Forest Road 5550 (a left off U.S. 40/191 one mile south of Myton, Utah). Unload here, and then drive to the takeout at the town of Green River, Utah. Leave the car and hop an air shuttle ($100 per person with Arrow West Aviation, 435-259-7421) back upstream.

The Beta

Time Required: 5-8 days
Length: 84 miles
Best Time to Go: Autumn
November Temp: Day: 40s-70s/Night: 20s-50s
Level of Difficulty: Easy (with moderate to strenuous day hikes)

Getting Outfitted: Western River Expeditions in Moab rents rafts equipped with oars for $95 per day (435-259-7019). Adrift Adventures (800-874-4483; www.adrift.net) and Sheri Griffith Expeditions (800-332-2439; www.griffithexp.com), also based in Moab, will outfit five-day trips in November for $690–$725.

Don't Go Without: The waterproof Desolation River Guide.

Best Campsite: Jack's Canyon, at mile 24 on river right (facing downstream), is a wide, sandy beach under a grove of cottonwoods with massive, gnarly trunks. Sleeping quarters are beds of dry alder leaves—no tent. Heavenly.

Best Side Hike: Rock Creek Canyon, at mile 41 on river right. Look for the former homestead built of hand-carved sandstone. Hike up the spring-fed creek, where brook trout thrive. Fremont petroglyphs are on the right a short hike into the canyon.

Page: