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Dolores River Ponderosa Gorge/Slickrock
Canyon - Pre-Trip Information
Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know
Please share with everyone in your group. If you have any
questions or need additional information call us at 1-800-462-7238.
DEPARTURE and RETURN TIMES
Please arrive 30-45
minutes before your trip departure time -
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Departs |
Returns |
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9:00 am |
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
WHERE TO MEET
Travelodge Motel - 440 S Broadway,
Cortez, CO, 81321 Phone 1-800-578-7878 You may leave your car parked here
during our trip. Ask at the desk where you should park. We will transport you
to the trip departure point by van or bus. At the trip's conclusion, you will
be transported back to the Travelodge Motel.
View Larger
Map
We suggest you use a
Colorado state map and plan for delays.
Directions to your meeting point at Cortez,
Colorado
Check the raod map link above.
Road Map- Dolores River Area
WHAT TO BRING
- Do Not Wear Cotton on the River (no jeans or sweats)
- Wetsuit (available to rent - and Strongly recommended on
this early season river)
- Splash Jacket (available to rent)
- Swimming Suit and/or Shorts
- Booties (available to rent) Tennis Shoes or Sandals (no
flip-flops or Crocs)
- Sunglasses with Securing Strap
- Waterproof Camera
- Hat or Visor
- Fleece Jacket or Synthetic Insulating Layer
- Waterproof Sunscreen
- Waterproof Camera (available for sale)
- Change of Clothes and Towel (for after the trip)
- Cash for Souvenirs and Tipping Your Guide
- Water Bottle (If you don't want to share)
CAMP GEAR
- Warm Sleeping Bag / Ground Pad (available to rent)
- Nylon Tent (available to rent)
- Warm Jacket
- Rain Jacket or Poncho
- Lightweight Boots or Tennis Shoes
- Change of Clothes and Small Towel
- Toiletries
- Headlamp or Flashlight
- Plastic Bag for Wet Clothes
- Favorite Beverage (Beer or Soda)
- Favorite Book or Toy
WE PROVIDE
- Meals from Lunch on the First Day Through Lunch on the
Last Day
- Lemonade and Water with Meals and Hot Drinks in Camp
- Personal Waterproof Storage Bags
- All Kitchen & Group Camping Equipment
- Transportation Back to Your Car at the End of the Trip
- Professional Guides
- Rafting and Safety Equipment
- Portable Chemical Toilets
- Lots of Fun!
AVAILABLE RENTALS
- Wetsuit - $10/day (booties free with 2-day rental)
- Splash Jacket - $5/day
- Wetsuit Booties - $5/day
- 2-Man Tent - $17/trip
- Sleeping Bag w/ Ground Pad - $15/trip
- Self-Inflating Ground Pad Only - $4/trip
ORIENTATION: Prior to boarding
your raft, you will receive a complete safety orientation.
LIABILITY
RELEASE: Everyone will be required to sign a liability release form prior
to trip departure. Youths not riding with their parents will need to provide a
copy of our youth liability release signed by one or both parents. You can
download a copy of our liability release
downloaded
here.
RIVER TIME: The first day of the trip we are usually on the
water by 10:30-11:00 am. The following days we are usually ready to be on the
water by 9 am. We pull into camp between 3:30 and 5 pm, depending on water
levels and amount of playtime. During the day we will pull over to scout
rapids, eat lunch, and explore points of interest.
MEALS: We provide
fresh hearty meals starting with lunch on the first day through lunch on the
last day. Special diets can be accommodated upon request. Remember we provide
only lemonade and water. If you would like to bring your own drinks in metal or
plastic containers, please feel free. We will provide a place to carry them.
CAMPING CONDITIONS: All campsites are primitive-no plumbing or
electricity. We provide a portable chemical toilet for use in camp. You may
wash in the river.
TIPPING: Tipping is appropriate, particularly if
you have received exceptional customer service. If you believe that a tip is
appropriate we recommend an average tip of 10%-20% of your trip cost. We always
appreciate hearing from you so that we can recognize extraordinarily customer
service and we also appreciate hearing from you if you feel that there are
areas that we can improve upon. We strive to exceed your
expectations!
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: We do not provide alcohol on our
trips, and alcohol is not permitted while on the river. On multi-day trips you
may bring alcohol for consumption in camp but it must be in plastic or metal
containers (no glass).Guests that have been drinking prior to their trip will
not go on the river and will not receive a refund.
WETSUITS:
Wetsuits are required on class V whitewater for your safety. Hypothermia can
set in quickly if you fall out of the raft.
NON-SWIMMERS: Many of
our participants cannot swim. We provide U.S. Coast Guard approved personal
floatation devices designed to float you face-up in whitewater. Personal
floatation devices are required to be worn at all times.
DAY GEAR:
Each raft will carry a waterproof bag for your rain gear and small items that
you may need during the day.
DRINKING WATER: We carry drinking water
on each raft. If you don't wish to share with others, feel free to bring your
own water bottle.
SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS AND HATS: These items will be
available for sale at the conclusion of your trip.
ALTITUDE: You
will be rafting at altitudes between 5000 and 6000 feet. Most people don't have
serious problems here, but shortness of breath and dehydration are possible.
Come a day or two early to acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend that
you drink plenty of water during your stay.
FISHING: Feel free to
bring fishing gear! If there is space on an oar boat, you may fish from the
raft even if you aren't on a "fishing only" trip. You may also fish at
lunchtime and in camp. A lightweight rod is best for these 6-22 inch trout. 4-6
lb. test line is best. Bring several lures, as they tend to snag out of reach
occasionally. Old standby lures include silver and brass colored #1, #2, or 1/6
oz. "Blue Foxes" and "Mepps" brands. You will need a Colorado fishing license,
available at sporting goods and hardware stores. Licenses can be purchased for
terms of 2 days or more.
LITTER: Please keep in mind that on our trip
we will carry out all of our trash and whatever other trash we may find as we
travel down the river. We appreciate your assistance in keeping the river clean
and beautiful.
PREGNANCY: We cannot take you rafting if you are
pregnant. This is for your own safety and that of your unborn child.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel more than 10 days prior to trip
departure, we will refund all of your deposit less a $50/person cancellation
fee; if you cancel less than 10 days prior to trip departure, there is no
refund. We reserve the right to reschedule, move or cancel any trip due to
insufficient reservations or poor water levels.
TRIP CANCELLATION
INSURANCE: Allows you to cancel all or part of your trip up to 24 hours
prior to departure without penalty. The cost is $9.00/person/day. If you must
cancel with less than 48 hours notice, but more than 1 hour before departure,
we can issue a gift certificate good for next year's season. Insurance must be
purchased for every member of the group at the time of your deposit.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
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MOTELS |
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BED AND BREAKFASTS |
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Travelodge |
800-578-7878 |
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Kelly Place |
800-745-4885 |
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(This is where we meet and is the most convenient)
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Grizzly Roadhouse |
800-330-7286 |
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Comfort Inn |
970-565-3400 |
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A Bed & Breakfast on Maple Street |
800-665-3906 |
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Holiday Inn Express |
888-465-4329 |
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CAMPING |
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
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Cortez-Mesa Verde KOA |
970-565-9301 |
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Mesa Verde-Cortez Chamber |
800-253-1616 |
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