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RIO GRANDE
Designated as a National Wild & Scenic River in 1978, and as an American Heritage River in 1997, the Rio Grande originates in southern Colorado in the San Juan Mountains, flowing south, then east to form the 1,250 mile Texas-Mexico border, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. It flows through the Chihuahuan Desert, which encompasses Big  Bend National Park.
This year we will return to the prettiest section of the Rio Grande, 80 miles in the Lower Canyons just below Big Bend. We've logged over 30 trips in 15 years here, as its the place to be warm and dry when its cold and wet everywhere else in March. Temperatures are cool at night and warm in the day, averaging 45 to 70 degrees with little or no rain.
We'll pole and paddle our way below 1,000 foot high canyon walls through the wild places of the Old West like Outlaw Flats, the Seminole Trail, Maravillas Creek and Rodeo Rapids. We'll hike to the remains of old candelilla wax factories, see lots of desert flora, and maybe even soak in a hotspring. The river is shallower and narrower than you'd probably expect, with quickwater and rapids most of the way, The rapids are short and can be somewhat technical (Class II) depending on the water level at the time. We'll set camp in both Texas and Mexico and cook over a mesquite fire, reminiscent of the Old West days.
We will meet with guests the night before the trip in our hotel in Odessa, Texas to review the trip logisitics. The next morning on Day 1 we will drive to the river, paddle a ways and make our camp, the first of six nights. The last day we will paddle to the take out and drive back to our hotel. Guests should plan flights for the following day.
The Lower Canyons, photo by Dane Goins ______________________________________________________________ SAN JUAN RIVER  The San Juan River flows from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado to the Colorado River in Utah. We offer a seven-day/six-night canoe trip through the San Juan's spectacular 300 million-year-old canyons. Putting in at Bluff, Utah, we will paddle 85 miles on the fastest flowing river in the U.S. Despite its speed, this is a Class I-II run with a couple of short Class III rapids, which will be lined or carried.
 Guests may want to consider a longer stay in the area. This "Four Corners" area of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico is rich in geologic and historical sites, many within driving distance of Grand Junction and Moab. The Arches National Park is a must see just outside of Moab and deserves a full day of exploring. More information on the parks may be found at www.nps.gov
See a detailed San Juan itinerary. San Juan River, photo by Dane Goins
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, photo by Mike Patterson _______________________________________________________________ Return to Top
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