Raft Trips

Lodore Canyon
GREEN RIVER RAFTING
Dinosaur Nat'l Monument

Trip Length: 4 days

Lodore was the first major canyon encountered by John Wesley Powell and his men on their 1869 expedition. Powell's adventures live on in the rapids he named: Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls and Hells Half Mile. Set aside as an American treasure in 1938 under the National Park system, this canyon is a sanctuary for bighorn sheep, deer and other friendly critters.

Your 44-mile trip starts at the "Gates of Lodore" where two 800-foot buttresses mark the beginning of a series of canyons. You will see vermillion cliffs cut from Precambrian bedrock in Lodore canyon, then leapfrog through time as you cross a geologic fault in Echo Park, and see rock reflect the colors of a rainbow on your last day at the entrance to Split Mountain Gorge.

The whitewater is technical, and that means your guide's oars will be busy as a bee's wings, making quick cuts and dodges to keep the self-bailing raft headed for the clear chutes and clean waves. In the 1870's Pat Lynch, a hermit who lived at Echo Park, used to visit his neighbors by floating downstream with a log. When we reach Echo Park we'll blow up an inflatable kayak just in case you want to leave your neighbors on the raft for some personal, paddling fun.

Ages: 8 years and up

Lodore	4-Days
Adults	$845.00*
Children ages 8-18 and Seniors 65+	$725.00*

All river equipment including waterproof bags for your personal belongings. Full course meals from lunch the first day to lunch the last day. Transportation from the meeting point to trip, and return to original meeting point.
*There is a $5.00 per person entrance fee for the National Park that will be included in your trip fee. All B.L.M. and Forest Service fees are included. Please see our packing list for what to bring and what not to bring on this trip.

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DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
GREEN RIVER RAFTING, LODORE CANYON, 4 DAYS

Lodore Canyon thrust Major Powell into his first real whitewater on his 1869 expedition. His adventure lives on in the rapids he named: Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls and Hell's Half Mile.

This 44-mile stretch of the Green River, called the "Queen of Rivers," cuts through the High Uinta Range traversing lands of alpine forests and desert slickrock. These are Utah's highest mountains (King's Peak: 13,400') and the only range of the Rockies to run east/west.

The Gates of Lodore is a first-class river experience, yet it only takes four days.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

One of the advantages of a river trip is the flexibility of the daily itinerary. It can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, Mother Nature, and courtesy for other groups on the river. This typical itinerary illustrates a four-day trip through Lodore Canyon.

Day 1: Meet party at headquarters in Vernal, Utah. Three-hour bus ride to Brown's Park National Wildlife Refuge, the site of the put-in. Pass through the Gates of Lodore and encounter Upper and Lower Disaster Falls.

Day 2: The "Gates" mark the beginning of High Desert country - the Colorado Plateau - and as the canyon narrows, more rapids emerge: Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell's Half Mile. Hike at Powell's Rippling Brook and Falls.

Day 3: At the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers at Echo Park, the canyon widens before the river circles Steamboat Rock. Here the Green River enters Whirlpool Canyon. The afternoon may be spent at Jones Hole Creek - a blue-ribbon trout stream with side canyon petroglyphs and waterfall.

Day 4: Peaceful morning in Rainbow and Island Park areas before entering another massive gorge. The Green's powerful forces cut laterally through Split Mountain's uplifted and colorful core. Rapids abound before the take out and a 35-minute ride back to Vernal.

Dinosaur weather: In the early and late seasons (May, early June and September) temperatures in Dinosaur average 55 to 70 degrees during the day and 50 to 60 degrees at night. In late June through August, daytime temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees with nighttime temperatures 60 to 70 degrees. A little rain can happen, and can cool temperatures considerably. With this in mind we recommend you have a rain suit, polypropylene underwear, (fleece top and pants are nice in cool weather too) and a light tent. If you reserved a rental unit with us when you booked your river trip, we will have a tent and rain gear for you. There will also be sun, so bring a hat and plenty of suntan lotion and/or sunscreens.

Bugs, snakes, etc. are generally no problem. In fact, the lack of pesky insects is one of the reasons that wilderness camping on the river is so pleasant. Any river trip, however, is subject to an occasional localized insect hatch. During these hatches (most common in June to mid-July) mosquitos can be bothersome. Be sure to bring long sleeve clothing and repellent. Insect repellents that contain "deet" are by far the most effective during heavy hatches, but are also suspected of causing various health problems. Citronella-based products (skin-so-soft) work only in light hatches. We rarely see any snakes, but if the thought of them bothers you, try sleeping on the beaches or in a tent instead of rocky or bushy areas.

Hiking is a highlight of the trip, however, it is strictly an optional activity. There are many interesting short hikes available. Hiking can be done in durable sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Remember that hiking and other activities vary widely pending time, and what other plans are ahead for the day on the river.

Fishing: Trout can be found on the upper stretches of the Green River the first two days of the trip. This section is in the state of Colorado, so if you wish to fish these two days you will need a Colorado fishing license, which can be purchased en route the morning of your trip (be sure to let your trip leader know). Most of the fish caught from the river after the first two days will be catfish. However, on the third day we will arrive at Jones Hole, a beautiful trout stream. We normally spend about three hours here and may even camp. You will need a Utah fishing license to fish here, which may be purchased at most sporting good stores, or Smiths in Vernal prior to the trip. Please note that these stores will not be open the morning you meet for your trip. Only artificial lures and flies are allowed on this stream. If you would like to obtain more information or secure your license in advance contact: Utah Wildlife Resources, 1596 W. No. Temple, SLC, UT 84116, 801-538-4700.

Medical emergencies: Our guides are trained in first aid and carry first aid supplies only. REMEMBER to bring your own prescription medicines. ALERT our guides to any medical problem you might have such as diabetes or allergic reactions. Wilderness expeditions are a long way from hospitals, doctors, and pain-relieving medicines. Evacuations to modern medical care are uncertain, and protracted. In case of evacuation and/or medical treatment beyond first aid, expenses incurred are the responsibility of the participant.

Beverages: We provide ice water, lemonade, two sodas per day per person and ample cooler space. If you choose to bring any specialty sodas and/or alcoholic beverages, we have no problem taking whatever you want to bring - within reason. Don't bring beer, wine coolers or sodas in glass containers. Wine packaged in a box is ideal. Mark beverages that you bring so they are packed on your boat. In Utah, wine or liquor is not sold after 7:00 p.m., before 11:00 a.m. or on sundays and holidays.

The BOC store has what you need for this trip and can ship your order out quickly.

Meeting Place & Time
We meet for your trip in Vernal, Utah at Holiday Expeditions headquarters, 7:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) the morning your trip begins. If you arrive in Vernal by bus or plane, call our headquarters (789-4586) upon your arrival to make arrangements to have you and your gear transported to our headquarters the morning of the trip. If you are driving, your car can be left at our headquarters.

If you are flying, you can fly to Salt Lake City located 180 miles west of Vernal, Utah. From there you can rent a car, take a bus, or fly with Salmon Air to Vernal, Utah. You can also fly from Denver, CO by commuter flight to Vernal, UT.

In the upper right hand corner of this page, you can enter your location or a point that you know of and hit enter and google maps will open and show you a map to the meeting location and driving time.

Refund Policy
If cancellations are made prior to 90 days before the trip, monies will be refunded less a $50.00 service charge per person. If cancellations are made within 90 days and outside of 45 days of the trip date monies will be refunded less a $100.00 service charge per person. Cancellations made within 45 days of the trip date are non-refundable. Prior to 45 days to trip date we will transfer reservations to another trip in the same year with a $25.00 per person service charge.

All policies will be enforced and we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance. Ask us about a brochure with applications. Cancellation of a trip is very unlikely. But, we reserve the right to cancel any trip due to river or weather conditions or the lack of sufficient reservations. A full refund will be made if such is the case.

All Canyonlands and Dinosaur trips are operated by Holiday Expeditions, Inc. a licensed outfitter operating under permits authorized by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.