Dolores River Slickrock Canyon Whitewater Rafting!
Slickrock Canyon can be rafted as a stand-alone 3-day
trip or as the 2nd half of a 6-day trip combined with
Ponderosa Gorge. If you are
looking for a mild water scenic desert wilderness trip, far from the crowds,
this trip is for you!
A few miles after launching from Slickrock, we enter the
short and scenic "Little Glen Canyon". The sandstone rock here is the same
formation that is found in Glen Canyon, now flooded by Lake Powell. Exiting the
canyon we enter the salt block formation that created the wide open spaces and
breathtaking views of Big Gypsum Valley.
Below Gypsum Valley the river plunges into and divides a
massive sheer rock wall over 1000 feet tall. The next 30 miles we are in the
29,000 acre Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area. The river twists and
turns through sandstone walls that reach skyward directly from the water's
edge. "Entrenched meanders" were created as the plateau tilted on edge,
speeding the flow of the once sleepy river. In places these cliffs overhang the
entire river.
You'll camp on river beaches or sandy alluvial fans where
the river passes a number of beautiful side canyons. We will explore several of
these interesting serpentine grottos. Deer and Bighorn Sheep, are regularly
spotted. We'll also make several stops to admire Indian petroglyphs, carved
into the sheer sandstone walls.
Our trip ends at an old west survivor, the Bedrock Store,
where a scene from "Thelma and Louise" was filmed.
| Daily
Launches: |
Early May to
mid-June |
| Length: |
50 miles |
| Difficulty: |
Class III-IV
|
| Departure
Time: |
9:00 am |
| Adult Price:
|
$465 - 3 Day Trip $839
- 6 Day Trip |
| Child Price
(10-16): |
$385 - 3 Day Trip $689
- 6 Day Trip |
|
Please arrive at least
30-45 minutes prior to departure time. This allows you time to check in and
relax before your trip departs. |
|
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Dolores
River Pre-Trip Information General
River Description Sample
Itinerary Gallery Photos Maps |