Awesome desert beauty
Paradox & Mesa Canyons
Paradox & Mesa Trip Search:
paradox & mesa canyons overview
Paradox Valley, named appropriately as the Dolores River cuts a course across the valley instead of down its length, was created over 150 million years ago from the collapse of an ancient salt dome. This open valley is a calm float with views of the steep sandstone and shale that form the valley walls.
As the river moves through the northern edge of Paradox Valley you float into majestic Mesa Canyon. High canyon walls hug the river, and at one point sport a 100-year-old wooden hanging flume, which is attached to the canyon wall 500+ feet above the water. Despite the presence of Hwy 141 alongside the river, the scenery is enough to forget about the flow of traffic.
Recommended Trips for Paradox & Mesa – Dolores River:
Emerging from Slick Rock Canyon the river enters Paradox Valley, an interesting geologic phenomenon where the river cuts across the valley rather than through the middle of it! This valley was extensively occupied by Pueblo Indian culture and was also famous in western history as a route through which rustlers traversed to sell stolen stock in the mining camps. In the spring, nesting waterfowl abound in the natural but unprotected refuge.
Adult price : $2039
paradox & mesa canyons sections
Dolores River – Paradox & Mesa Canyons Whitewater Rafting Details:
Difficulty: Class II-III (What does this mean?)
Elevation: 4939′ to 4551′
Average Gradient: 8.8′ per mile
Access to Access
Bedrock to Gateway: 44.2 miles
Total Mileage: 44.2 miles
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Information for Dolores Self-Guided Boaters:
The Dolores River (Paradox & Mesa Canyons) are managed by the Bureau of Land Management out of Montrose, CO.
- Boating Permit Required: NO
- Permit Details: No fee of any kind is required to float the river, although there are group size limits.
- River Manager: U.S Bureau of Land Management – Uncompahgre Field Office
2465 S. Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401
970.240.5300 ~ www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ufo.html
Shuttles:
Please contact the river manager (above) for information on shuttles.
