Westwater Canyon is located northeast of Moab and is the first canyon along the Colorado River within Utah. Westwater Canyon is many boaters' first choice for a short exciting adventure. Westwater is a whitewater trip with rapids that may range in difficulty up to Class IV. While floating Westwater, you will view the oldest exposed rock in Utah, the pre-cambrian "black rock", which forms the walls of a 200 foot deep inner canyon. Sheer cliffs of rust-colored Wingate sandstone tower above the river. Historic features within the canyon include a miner's cabin and an outlaw cave.
This day trip area of the Colorado, is located northeast of Moab along Utah highway 128. It is also known as the Fisher Towers' section. This trip is Utah's most popular river trip and is ideal for a short adventure, a group outing, an overnight camping trip, or a first river trip. The Colorado River Daily is a whitewater trip. Six named rapids are located between Hittle Bottom and Takeout Beach. The rapids may range in difficulty up to Class III. This float can be challenging at high water levels. Boaters will be able to view striking redrock scenery that includes areas of Canyonlands National Park, such as... Fisher Towers, Castle Rock, and the Priest and Nuns. This area has been the setting of a number of western-stylemovies and many television commercials perhaps you will recognize them.
Cataract is on of the premier whitewater trips availabale anywhere, but the sections above the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers is a strech of lazy, scenic flatwater. Enjoy the easy streches, and save up your strength for the Canyon. There are 26 rapids within Cataract Canyon, with several that range in difficulty up to Class V. On some rivers, high water washes out the rapids, but in Cataract, it takes the rapids from big to MASSIVE! There are also some great hikes to view the rock art and cliff dwellings left by Indians who once lived in the canyon or just enjoy the massive red rock walls and pinnacles that tower above the river. Cataract Canyon is one of the most isolated and starkly beautiful areas of the 48 contiguous states. It is a must do for those of you with an adventerous spirit.
Desolation Canyon is located along the Green River north of Green River, Utah. Desolation Canyon is the deepest canyon in Utah. At Rock Creek, the river is over 5,000 feet below the canyon rim. The trip through Desolation canyon is a whitewater trip extrodinair. Of the 67 rapids, most are Class II, but several may be as difficult as Class IV. Visitors to Desolation canyon will have the opportunity to view rock art created by Indians of the Fremont culture and the ancestors of the Ute Indians. The area was also used by outlaws such as "Butch Cassidy" and "Flat-Nose George" as a refuge. Desolation canyon includes large cottonwood tree sheltered campsites, a cold-water fishery at Rock Creek, and a wide-variety of geologic features. Desolation Canyon has been designated as a National Historic Landmark to preserve the setting of the John Wesley Powell expeditions.
The Upper San Juan -- Sand Island to Mexican Hat
The upper San Juan is located just west of Bluff, Utah. The southern bank of the river is the northern boundary of the Navajo Indian Reservation. The upper San Juan is well known for superb Indian rock art left by the Anasazi culture. Visitors may also hike to view the ruins of River House and other Anasazi dwellings as well as the remains of a historic trading post. This section of the river is also known for its geologic and scenic features. The upper San Juan is a whitewater trip. Several small rapids may range up to Class III.
Mexican Hat to Lake Powell
The lower San Juan is located to the west of Mexican Hat. Below Mexican Hat, where it cuts through the Cedar Mesa Anticline, the San Juan River has carved the deepest set of entrenched "goosenecks" (meander loops) in North America. The lower San Juan is a whitewater trip. Several rapids may range in difficulty up to Class III. Visitors are attracted to the lower San Juan by the beauty of the serpentine goosenecks, excellent hiking opportunities, and the pools at Slickhorn Canyon. BLM requires a permit for hikes extending more than 3 miles from the river into the Grand Gulch Primitive Area.
PO Box 550,
Moab, UT 84532
1-800-635-6622.
San Juan County Travel Council
,ll7 South Main,
Monticello, UT 84535
1-800-574-4386.
Canyonlands Natural History Association,
30 South 100 East,
Moab, UT 84532,
801-259-6003.
Utah Guides and Outfitters,
P. O. Box 21141,
Salt Lake City, UT 84121.
John Wesley Powell River History Museum & Visitor Center,
885 East Main,
Green River, UT 84525,
(801) 564-3526.
BLM, Grand Resource Area,
885 South Sand Flats Road,
Moab, UT 84532
(801) 259-4421
BLM, San Juan Resource Area,
PO Box 7 (435 N. Main)
Monticello, UT 84535
(801) 587-2144
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