You start your whitewater rafting adventure in the northwestern part of Colorado in Dinosaur National Monument. Here the Green river has carved three spectacular gorges: Lodore Canyon, Whirlpool Canyon and Split Mountain Canyon. Starting at river level the canyon walls of Lodore soar dramatically to over 2,500 feet high in just two miles.
Over the journey you'll encounter 20 light to medium sized rapids, such as Disaster Falls and Hells Half Mile. The biggest rapids are rated as "advanced intermediate" or Class III. This means they are fun for both novice and experienced rafters, but by no means tame!
You have three boating options to choose from and you can stay with one type the entire trip or switch at any time. Choose between a paddle powered raft, where you grab a paddle, and with the assistance of a guide who sits in the back, maneuver the boat through the rapids; or select an oar powered raft, where you just sit back and let the guide do all the work. Another option is to run the rapids "on your own" in a 1-person inflatable kayak with a support raft drifting nearby. Several of these easy-to-use boats are provided per trip and they are shared by all participants. If you desire a kayak for your own personal use the entire trip, you must request it in advance. Kayakers must follow the guidance of the Adrift crew and stay close to the support raft. All but the two wildest rapids are usually run in kayaks.
Weather in the boating season can be highly variable with afternoon highs in the 70's to 90's and lows from 40 to 50. Sunshine dominates but you need to be prepared for infrequent afternoon showers. River flow rates are controlled by releases from Flaming Gorge Dam so that even in a dry year or late season, river level is good for boating. |
