Not a exactly a canyon trip report, but a report some canyoneers may be interested in….
Oh what a difference a week makes!
For memorial day, Cristina, Lucy (wonder dog), and I had planned on floating the San Rafael River from Fuller Bottom to the Bridge/Camp Ground. This is a trip I had wanted to do for years, but had never got it during the short (2-3 week) window in the spring when it’s float-able.
Memorial Day we found very muddy roads, stormy and cold temps, as well as only 50-80 cfs in the river. Although several canoe trips did the river in such low water, they had been lightly weighted, and had to drag for short distances. With Cristina, Lucy, and I all in one canoe, we would need more water!
So, we delayed a week, and gave it another go. Saturday was PERFECT! The weather was clear, temps warm, and most importantly, the flow was around 500 cfs. As a newbie floater, even I found the float easy and smooth at that level.
The river didn’t disappoint. Called the Little Grand Canyon, it lived up to it’s name. You start in open desert, but quickly the canyon begins in earnest, and deepens to over 1000′ deep as it winds its way down through the Swell. The scenery is stunning, with several stops along the way to see side canyons, and pictographs/petroglyphs.
Even at our very casual pace, and multitude of stops, we were at the bridge within 6 hours. I had done part of the shuttle by mountain bike, but had planned on hitchhiking 8 miles from the bridge to the top of buckhorn wash where I had left the car. This turned out to be the crux. Apparently I am not as clean cut as I thought I was, as a dozen or so cars passed me by with barely a glance. Fortunately, after I walked 1/2 of the distance, a guy stopped and offered me a ride. A fellow canyoneer, I was thankful for the ride and conversation, wishing him well and hoping karma would shine on him in the future.
So, if you want to float the San Rafael, right now it seems prime. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. We had mild-to-medium bugs. Lot’s of others on the river, but it never seemed crowded.
Faerthen Felix
Lucky you–the Wedge is a great float if you can catch it!
For next time, the mt. bike ride up Buckhorn Wash isn’t nearly as steep, long or unpleasant as it seems it would be from a car.
FF
Doug
>>Posted by: “Ryan” roadtripryan@gmail.com ryancornia
>>Mon Jun 1, 2009 9:43 am (PDT)
>>Probably not deep enough the whole way to float just your body, but an inner tube would likely work, and be pretty fun. The water is COLD though, so a wetsuit would be needed.
We did this a couple of years ago in “2 -man” inflatable rafts a couple of days after peak water flow. It was a fun, mostly relaxing trip with great scenery. I would guess that most years the water is only high enough to make it passable for a week or maybe two. Check the water levels/flow here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09328500
The water was cold, but a nice contrast to the hot sun. We quite enjoyed jumping off of the bridge at the end of the trip.
A.J.
Nice! Glad you were able to line it up and make it happen. Even more happy that it was great conditions for you guys!
Take care, A.J.
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Ryan” wrote:
Not a exactly a canyon trip report, but a report some canyoneers may be interested in….
Ryan
Probably not deep enough the whole way to float just your body, but an inner tube would likely work, and be pretty fun. The water is COLD though, so a wetsuit would be needed.
I, uh, had the misfortune of getting dumped out of the canoe at one point when it shifted on me, so can attest to it’s coldness. No worries though, the dog and Cristina stayed in it…. much to both their amusement….
Next time I hitchhike, I might try bringing a crisp $20 bill…
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “adkramoo” wrote:
Great TR. Thanks. Calm and safe enough to float your body in the river? That would be a blast with a PLF. A sign saying “8 Miles to car” might work better? Sounds like a great way to spend a day >
adkramoo
Great TR. Thanks. Calm and safe enough to float your body in the river? That would be a blast with a PLF. A sign saying “8 Miles to car” might work better? Sounds like a great way to spend a day
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Ryan” wrote:
Not a exactly a canyon trip report, but a report some canyoneers may be interested in….
Oh what a difference a week makes!
For memorial day, Cristina, Lucy (wonder dog), and I had planned on floating the San Rafael River from Fuller Bottom to the Bridge/Camp Ground. This is a trip I had wanted to do for years, but had never got it during the short (2-3 week) window in the spring when it’s float-able.
Memorial Day we found very muddy roads, stormy and cold temps, as well as only 50-80 cfs in the river. Although several canoe trips did the river in such low water, they had been lightly weighted, and had to drag for short distances. With Cristina, Lucy, and I all in one canoe, we would need more water!
So, we delayed a week, and gave it another go. Saturday was PERFECT! The weather was clear, temps warm, and most importantly, the flow was around 500 cfs. As a newbie floater, even I found the float easy and smooth at that level.
The river didn’t disappoint. Called the Little Grand Canyon, it lived up to it’s name. You start in open desert, but quickly the canyon begins in earnest, and deepens to over 1000′ deep as it winds its way down through the Swell. The scenery is stunning, with several stops along the way to see side canyons, and pictographs/petroglyphs.
Even at our very casual pace, and multitude of stops, we were at the bridge within 6 hours. I had done part of the shuttle by mountain bike, but had planned on hitchhiking 8 miles from the bridge to the top of buckhorn wash where I had left the car. This turned out to be the crux. Apparently I am not as clean cut as I thought I was, as a dozen or so cars passed me by with barely a glance. Fortunately, after I walked 1/2 of the distance, a guy stopped and offered me a ride. A fellow canyoneer, I was thankful for the ride and conversation, wishing him well and hoping karma would shine on him in the future.
So, if you want to float the San Rafael, right now it seems prime. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. We had mild-to-medium bugs. Lot’s of others on the river, but it never seemed crowded. >