Fort Collins Audubon Society

Kayak Trip 2009

The Colorado River
3-day Trip

 

Date: August 7-9 (Fri-Sun), 2009                                     Trip:  Fort Collins Audubon Society
Cost: $335 (includes $50 donation and $15 shuttle fee)                     Level of Difficulty: Beginner / Intermediate

The Colorado River by Sea Kayak
The sea kayak trip from Fruita, Colorado (about 13 miles west of Grand Junction, Colorado), covers a 30-mile stretch of the Colorado River to Westwater, Utah. This spectacular canyon country of the Colorado Plateau, including Ruby and Horsethief Canyons, features majestic walls of red sandstone and offers some of the best paddling in Colorado. The river is gentle with occasional small Class I+ rapids to add spice to the journey. Roads do not bound this portion of the river and the steep-walled canyons are accessible only from the river, giving the area a true wilderness setting. This stretch of river can easily be navigated in a sea kayak.

These two-person sea kayaks are 16-feet long and are very comfortable and stable. Sleeker than a canoe, they will also travel faster. The only thing you’ll need to carry in your kayak is a camera and water bottle. All of your camping and personal gear will be transported down river on the support raft.

You’ll be amazed at stands of shiny granite sculpted by water through the ages while paddling or floating in your lifejacket past the remnants of ancient metamorphic rock called Black Rock. Camping along the river’s banks, exploring a natural amphitheater with ancient Indian rock art or hiking into deep box canyons will leave you awed by the immensity of geologic time and the silence of the wilderness.
 
How to Sign Up
Centennial Canoe Outfitters (www.centennialcanoe.com) will provide all safety equipment, river guides, kayaks, and great food. Cost of the trip is $335 ($280 for children ages 6-12), of which $50 is donated back to FCAS. You will need to bring a sleeping bag, tent and basic personal supplies. The trip size is limited, so sign up early to reserve your place. A deposit of $100 per person must accompany your reservation request (Visa and Mastercard accepted), and the balance is due by June 7. For further details and to register for the trip, contact Centennial Canoe Outfitters, 1-877-353-1850 (toll free) and be sure to tell them whether you are a Fort Collins Audubon Society member.  Get the trip packet.

Check out reports from our previous trips:  2002 Canoe Trip (Colorado River), 2003 Canoe Trip (Lower Gunnison River), 2004 Canoe Trip (White River), 2005 Canoe Trip (North Platte River), 2006 Canoe Trip (Green River), 2007 Canoe Trip (Yampa River).