We have some wonderful specialty trips planned for the 2012 rafting season.
We will be adding additional trips to this list as our planning continues, so check back again soon! |
Table of Contents; use these links to jump downpage.
- Hiking Special
- Citizen Science
- Plein Air Painting
- Green River Dory Odyssey for Artists, Musicians and Writers
- Confluence of Art and Science
- Folk & Bluegrass Music
- Creation vs. Evolution in Grand Canyon
- Kayak/Paddle Expedition
- Kayak Expedition
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Grand Canyon 14 Day Hiking Special
April 20 - May 3, 2012
Late April and into early May is a premier time for extended hiking and exploring in Grand Canyon. Cooler spring temperatures provide the ideal conditions for taking longer hikes to lesser known and seldom visited areas of the Canyon.
Join us on this early season rafting trip and the reward will be vistas and destinations that the majority of rafters never have the opportunity to see. Bring your most comfortable hiking shoes, water bottle and your camera, and we promise to make the destination worth the journey! This trip is the same cost as our regular Grand Canyon rafting trips. See our Grand Canyon site page for additional information. |
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Arizona Fish & Game Citizen Science
May 2 - 9, 2012
This 8-day motorized trip in the Grand Canyon will be attended by scientists from the Arizona Fish and Game Dept. These individuals will lead group investigations into the endangered Kanab Ambersnail populations at Vasey's Paradise falls and upper Elves Chasm, study the Humpback Chub population at the mouth of the Little Colorado River and in Shinamo Creek, and locate and remove some invasive, non-native plants. We will also host a scientist doing a bat survey using high-tech computerized telemetry. Participatation is voluntary, and promises to educate and enlighten you on several conservation topics specific to the Grand Canyon, in addition to our usual interpretive discussions.
This package includes round trip transportation from Vermillion Cliffs/Lees Ferry Lodge or a Las Vegas and return package. Also included is one night's lodging and meals at Vermillion Cliffs/Lees Ferry Lodge, a presentation by the Peregrin Fund about the California Condor Restoration Project, and a Navajo Blessing Ceremony on the evening prior to the trip launch.
Cost for Vermillion Cliffs/Lees Ferry Lodge and return is $2650.00.
Cost for Las Vegas and return is $2750.00. (Single Supplement at the Lodge add $30.00)
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Sedona Art Center Plein Air Painting Workshop
May 9 - 16, 2012
Join noted artist Cody Delong (see his website here) on this eight-day "artists' special" Grand Canyon motorized trip, Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek, with round trip transportation from Flagstaff, AZ.
This painting trip down the Grand Canyon has been custom designed especially for plein air artists. Camping locations are selected for an inspiring array of compositions with mid-day rafting hours taking you from one extraordinary painting site to the next.
The total cost is $2800.00 per person, $500.00 deposit required to hold reservation. Cost includes overnight and meals at Marble Canyon Lodge the day before the launch. Final payment due January 25, 2012.
Please contact Sedona Arts Center for information or to make a reservation; phone (928) 282-3809, or (888) 954-4442, or email Sedona Arts Center at workshops@sedonaartscenter.com.
More information, a printable flyer and registration form are all available at their website. This trip is limited to 12 participants.
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Green River Dory Odyssey for Artists, Musicians & Writers
May 12 - 20, 2012
Whether you work professionally, as an amateur, or simply enjoy journaling and hiking, we have designed this whitewater boat trip to allow plenty of time for off-river exploration and working on your art project at camp. We will travel in what we consider to be the Cadillac of all boats – whitewater dories. Our brightly painted dories, in their graceful repose and playful interaction with whitewater, have inspired many professional artists, writers and photographers. The "hand-picked" professional guides, who also have careers as artists, writers, and musicians of varying degrees, have designed this itinerary based on the "adventurous artist" needs.
This 9-day, 116 mile wild and scenic Green River rafting trip will launch from Ouray and end near Green River, beginning with an early morning flight from Green River, Utah to Roosevelt on May 12 followed by a short van ride to Ouray. The trip will end on May 20, with van return to Green River to arrive about 4pm. We'll plan numerous hiking opportunities during the course of the trip. The canyons of the Green River contain many locations with dramatic scenic viewpoints, a plethora of pre-historic rock art panels and dwellings of the Fremont culture, and several historic cowboy and moonshiner camps hidden among slick rock side canyons. Please join us in our dories with boatmen: Brad Dimock - storyteller/author; R.J. Johnson - geologist; Kate Thompson - musician/photographer; and Andy Hutchinson - banjo playin' leader.
Cost is $2395.00, Green River, Utah and return, includes all meals beginning with lunch on day 1 and ending with lunch on day 12, and camping gear. (Back to page top)
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Confluence of Art and Science
July 6 - 13, 2012
Eight day motorized Grand Canyon trip from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry.
Join artist/naturalist Sharon K Schafer and geologist Margaret (Peg) Rees, Ph.D., on this unique Grand Canyon rafting trip that blends the best of both science and art. This eight day motorized trip down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park will open your eyes to the world of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Peg will provide an in-depth look at the rock record and help us to visualize the 1.2 billion years of the earth's history that we pass through on our journey. Sharon will help us view the canyon through both the eyes of a wildlife biologist as well as an artist and photographer. Learn more about the geologic, cultural and natural history of the canyon and explore and experience its sublime beauty.
On July 5th you will be transported by van from Las Vegas, NV to Marble Canyon Lodge with a few brief stops along the way to view and discuss the region's geology and ecology. The morning of July 6th, the trip will launch from Lees Ferry for the 280 mile trip through Grand Canyon to Lake Mead.
Cost for this unique trip is $2626 +$12.00 NPS entrance fee and $8.00 voluntary conservation donation. This rate will include ground transportation to Marble Canyon from Las Vegas on the day before the trip launch, one night's lodging at Marble Canyon Lodge and return to Las Vegas at the end of the trip. Meals at Marble Canyon Lodge will not be included in the price.
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Music in the Canyon Grand Canyon Folk and Bluegrass Music
July 6 - 19, 2012
Amazing music in a beautiful natural setting. Nothing could be better!
This trip is available as a full canyon 14 day trip, as an upper canyon 6 day trip (July 6-11) and a lower canyon 9 day trip (July 11-19). See our Grand Canyon page for additional information about all three trip length options.
A wonderful group of musicians, George Rhee, Will Putman, Trudy Hefernan and Marty Warburton, will join this Grand Canyon rowing trip and perform their unique style of toe-tapping folk and bluegrass music. Each summer since 2001, we have been lucky to have them join one of our rafting trips in the Grand Canyon. They have written songs about the river and the boatmen, as well as set our favorite poem Seldom Seen and His Macho Crew, by poet and friend Vaughn Short, to music. They bring and play an assortment of instruments, including guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and fiddle. Marty is a well-known banjo player who has won many awards, and performs with both his band, the Marty Warburton Band and with George in the Yucca Mountain Boys group. Will and Trudy have been performing and recording together for years under the Trill Music banner. George has newly released music on iTunes, titled "The Unfenced Land". Informal and impromptu performances along the way promise to add to the magic of a Grand Canyon rafting adventure.
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National Center for Science Education
Grand Canyon: Creation vs. Evolution
July 17 - 24, 2012
Eight-day motorized Grand Canyon trip from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek.
Because this is an NCSE trip, we offer more than just the typically grand float down the Canyon; we offer more than the spectacular scenery, fascinating natural history, brilliant night skies, exciting rapids, delicious meals, and good company.
We offer, in addition, a unique "two-model" raft trip, wherein we will provide both the creationist view of Grand Canyon, and the evolutionist view. It’s pretty easy to tell where the science is.
The scientific view of the history of the Canyon will be presented by NCSE’s Steve Newton, a trained geologist. The creationist view will be presented by NCSE Executive Director Dr. Eugenie C. Scott, who has never had a geology class in her life but who assures us that this will be no barrier to her presenting the creationist perspective on the Canyon.
For more information, or to make your reservation for the 2012 trip, and for more information about NCSE's programs and membership,
email Nina Hollenberg at hollenberg@ncse.com, or call her at 510-601-7203. Visit the National Center for Science Education website at www.ncse.com. To find information about making a reservation for this trip on their site, click here.
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14 Day Grand Canyon Kayak Special
WITH MOTORIZED SUPPORT
Aug. 29 - Sept. 11, 2012
If you have always wanted to kayak the Grand Canyon, take advantage of Phil and Mary DeRiemer’s (pronounced "d-reemer") skills. They have been teaching for over 20 years and are known for individualizing their guiding and teaching styles to fit your needs. They'll be glad to work with you on your paddling technique, river strategies and playing, or just back you up as you go for a move. Phil DeRiemer is appreciated for his ability to motivate and instill confidence while weaving his good humor into a day on the river. Mary DeRiemer helps paddlers move beyond perceived limitations in a supportive, fun and patient manner.
A paddle raft will be available with a minimum of six participants, and non-kayakers will be welcome to join the trip, riding in rafts with our guides.
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Grand Canyon Kayaking
September 16 - 29, 2012
Full Canyon 14-day Option Only
Kayak the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, with full support and kayak guides Larry Vermeeren and Don Beveridge. This trip is intended for paddlers who have intermediate to advanced skills.
This trip will be supported primarily by our wooden dories, and will have limited space for rafters. Larry is one of the pre-eminant kayaking instructors in the paddling world, owns Small World Adventures in Ecuador, and has guided for Moki Mac for a number of years.
Contact Larry by email at info@smallworldadventures.com, for more information about this trip, or see his website for additional information.
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