Westwater Canyon Colorado River Rafting Trips
Float Notes
Be prepared and know what to expect on your Colorado River rafting vacation!

If you have already made a reservation for a trip, you will find important trip information, as well as travel arrangement tips here. We may have already mailed you a printed copy of this information as well. Feel free to call us if you have any questions!
(Download this information as a PDF file here if you would like to print it.)
 
1 day Colorado River Trips in Westwater Canyon

WHERE TO MEET US
You need to get to a town called Green River, Utah

HOW TO GET THERE

Traveling from home by private vehicle:
Consult a Utah road map and locate I-70 running east and west across the state. The town of Green River is located approximately in the eastern 3rd of the state right on I-70, 105 miles west of Grand Junction, Colorado and about 104 miles east of Salina, Utah. The distance from Salt Lake City to Green River is about 185 miles. From SLC, take I-15 south to exit 256, thence east on US 6 up over the Wasatch Plateau to Price and Wellington and continue on to Green River. Plan on arriving in Green River in time for a 6:30 PM orientation meeting on the patio at the John Wesley Powell museum the evening prior to your river trip.

Traveling from home by air:
Book a flight to Salt Lake City and rent a car and drive to Green River, Utah. (See above) 

OR, book a flight to Salt Lake City to arrive in time to utilize the services of Big Horn Express  (www.bighornexpress.com), a van shuttle service departing SLC daily at 2:00 PM to points south, including Green River.   Please Note! Bighorn is out of business as of July 31, 2010.

OR, book a flight to Grand Junction, Colorado, rent a car and drive to Green River, Utah OR contact American Spirit Shuttle (www.americanspiritshuttle.net) for service between Grand Junction and Green River. (If you are arranging transportation with Big Horn or American Spirit to get to Green River, don't forget to also make reservations for a return at the end of your trip. You should plan on arriving in Green River in time for a 6:30 PM orientation meeting at the John Wesley Powell museum the evening prior to your trip.

Traveling by RAIL! (Could be fun!)
AMTRAK provides service to Green River, Utah. The local station isn't much to look at (it is closed), but the train will stop, and we'll pick you up there and take you back at the end of the river trip!
 
In addition to the above, charter air service is available between SLC / Green River and between Grand Junction / Green River. Contact Red Tail Aviation at 435-637-9556 or 800-842-925. A three passenger minimum fare usually applies.

WHERE TO STAY WHEN YOU GET THERE
Some of the accommodation options in Green River

There are also four campgrounds in Green River

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET THERE
We will meet you the morning of departure for a short pre river trip orientation meeting, and transport you to the Westwater launch ramp. At this meeting, we will pass out water proof river bags for you to pack your gear into. General questions and concerns will be addressed along with a brief overview of what to expect during the day.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF THE RIVER TRIP
At the end of all of our Utah trips, we will return you to Green River, Utah. If you have your own vehicle, we will take you back to our parking lot. If you arrived in Green River via Big Horn Express or American Spirit Shuttle or AMTRAK, we will take you to your motel (for which you should have pre-arranged a room).

WHAT TO BRING

Shoes should provide support for hiking. Some hikes require stream crossings so your hiking shoes will get wet. During the day on the rafts, your feet can be wet for long periods. Strap-on sandals are appropriate.

The best rain gear is pants and a jacket. Ponchos are not effective and are very difficult to wear under a life jacket.

For trip clothing, some people prefer synthetics that are quick drying and some like the evaporative cooling of wet cotton. During the cooler months you will want quick-drying clothes and during the hottest months you may want to bring some cotton clothes.

Line your small daypack with a heavy weight garbage bag to keep contents dry.

A carabineer* is an oval shaped metal ring with a one-way gate, and is useful to quickly fasten and unfasten your small daypack to the duffel load on the raft. You do not need an expensive climbing certified model, but it should be full size (about 4"X2").

The only cash you will need will be for accommodations, meals and drink purchases in Green River, Utah and guide gratuities (8-10% of trip fare recommended). A credit card may prove handy for unforeseen emergencies.

If you bring liquor, please transfer it to plastic bottles. If you bring wine, make it the boxed variety. We provide plenty of water/lemonade. You bring your own canned drinks and soda.

There are limited fishing opportunities mainly for catfish. If you choose to bring a rod, make it a compact model. You will need to purchase a non resident temporary license. Go to: www.wildlife.utah.gov Click on: Buy Fishing & Hunting Licenses Online.

WHAT NOT TO BRING
Do not bring: radios, jewelry, electrical appliances, pets, firearms.

THE RIVER BAGS FOR YOUR GEAR
Your clothes and sleeping bag will fit into two waterproof river bags we provide. Tents and pads will be packed into large communal waterproof bags each day. We will also provide a soft river bag for your day use items. The daypack you may bring can be used for your rain gear, extra shoes and other items you will need during the day.

Soft “mini” bag	Carabiner*	River Bag

TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
We urge you to purchase vacation interruption insurance to protect you in case you find you must cancel your trip. Policy purchases may be time sensitive. Plan ahead!
Please contact Travelsafe.com or call (800) 523-8020
   
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Once you launch on the river, communication from/to family is very difficult. For emergency contact from a family member, leave the following telephone numbers with appropriate persons:

Moki Mac River Expeditions: (800) 284-7280 or (801) 268-6667 or (801) 631-3127
Moki Mac Green River Warehouse: (435) 564-3361 or (435) 749-1135
BLM/Moab Field Office (Westwater Canyon): (435) 259-2116

WEATHER

April/May: Average temperatures are in the low 70's/mid 80's (20-27 C) during the day and the low 50's/mid 60's (8-16 C) at night. There may be rain showers.
June: Average temperatures are in the high 90's/low 100's (33-38 C) during the day and the low 70's (22 C) at night. It us usually dry.
July/August: Average temperatures are in the high 90's/low 100's (33-38 C) during the day and mid 70's (23 C) at night. Thundershowers are likely.
September/October: Average temperatures are in the mid 80's/low 90's (27-30 C) during the day and the mid 50's/low 60's (10-14 C) at night. Rain showers.

SUGGESTED READING
Canyonlands River Guide, by Bill Belknap, Westwater Books, Evergreen, Colorado
(Waterproof map, great to have with you on the trip. We have these maps for sale through our office)
The Exploration of the Colorado River and it's Canyons, by John Wesley Powell, Dover Publications, Inc., New York
A Canyon Voyage; The Narrative of the Second Powell Expedition, by Frederic S. Dellenbaugh, The University of Arizona Press
The Four Corners Anasazi, by Rose Houk, San Juan National Forest Association
Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey, Ballantine Books, New York
Ghosts of Glen Canyon, by C. Gregory Crampton, Cricket Productions, SLC, Utah
Cadillac Desert, by Marc Reisner, Penguin Books
Run River Run, by Ann Zwinger, The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona