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*DO NOT ENTER RIVER AFTER 3 PM when the upriver winds pick up
Sample Itinerary:
Lower Onion Campground Put-in – 10 am (earlier is better - guiding companies are putting in around 8-9 am)
Take Out Beach - 2 pm (takes 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 hrs)
Shuttle pick up/raft roll up - 3 pm
Moab/Food - 4 pm
Cost: $30 pp for raft rental
Directions: Moab Utah, east on Hwy 128 (pit toilets at each location)
Put in - Lower Onion Creek Campground
Take out - Take Out Beach
(Leave one car at Take Out Beach 10.2 miles up canyon from traffic light; leave all other vehicles at Lower Onion Creek about 10.6 miles up canyon from Take Out Beach - shuttle takes about 45 min to retrieve vehicles after float)
Activity:
Rafting Moab Daily - 6 Class 2-3 rapids* on the Colorado River:
Onion Creek rapid (on right side right after put in; run it center - easy)
Professor Rapid (about 15 min from previous rapid; run it center - easy)
New Rapid (about 20 min from previous rapid; run it center - easy)
Rocky Rapid (about 25 min from previous rapid; run it left, then right - watch right wall where a large hole can form
- moderate when water is higher)
- Whites Lake - long flat water section - good for floating
Whites Rapid (about 1 hr from previous rapid; when you see cabins/dock on the left bank; run it center right along the wall, then quick left watching large flat boulder on right side which causes a large hole, run left of boulder - moderate)
- Long flat water section - good for floating
Salts Rapid (about 45 min from previous rapid; run it left along wall - easy) about 10 min float from Salts Rapid to Take Out Beach
*rapids change yearly and always need to be reconed before running. Times are flowing <10,000 cfs. Above 10,000 cfs rapids become class 3 and require significant river experience to run.
Road Trip Ryan Trip Report (start at Lower Onion instead of Hittle Bottom to avoid a flat water 1hr float)
Beach time - Sandy Beach take out (up canyon about 5 min drive from Take Out Beach) - great place to relax with kids on the river shore with a sandy beach.
Tips:
Trip Leader should be first raft, followed by less experienced guides in the middle and more experienced sweeper in the back. Can also have an additional kayaker sweeper as well.
After the lead guide hits a rapid, they either signal to the next guide behind them that the spot was good with 1 tap on the head, or point to a better/safer spot where the second raft should hit instead.
All rafts should eddy out after rapids to make sure all boats make it through ok and are prepared with throw bags if needed - especially after Whites Rapid.
Afternoon winds pick up around 1-2. Try and be off the river no later than 3.
Long sleeve tech shirts dipped in water worked best to stay cool. It is recommended to also keep tops of legs covered. Having a handkerchief or cooling cloth to dip in the river is very helpful, especially for the guides who don’t have as many opportunities to get in the water.
There are a few places to pull out to the left after Rocky Rapid to eat lunch, before White’s Lake.
At the take out, just use one lane. If there is not a free lane, hold off at the beach just before the take out until a spot clears.
We sent drivers to trailhead to pick up the cars while the rest of the participants helped dry, deflate and roll the rafts.
Ideally, if there are 2 pick up trucks, having one at the take out to start loading gear would be ideal. If not, moving rafts to the side while you wait for the shuttle will be necessary if there are others that need the take out lanes.
We printed off "rapid cards" for all guides as well - small laminated cards with rapid name and how to run it and attached to PFD's
Bathrooms - at put in and take outs
Cell Reception - NONE, beacon reception - NONE
Dogs - not recommended
Food Ideas:
Moab
Moab diner - diner food
El Tapatio - mexican $20 a plate, many options, great mole
Green River
Tamarisk - salads are huge; T-roll is big (cinnamon roll)
Gear: thin T-shirt, thin long-sleeve shirt, rain jacket, shorts or hiking pants, swimming suit, running shoes or sandals - NO FLIP FLOPS, 2 L water in water bottle - NO CAMEL BAKS, 3-4 snacks plus lunch in gallon ziplock bag, dry bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit., waterproof phone case
Rentals:
5-6 man raft - $60 BYU Outdoors Unlimited includes paddles, life jackets, hand pump and patch kit; $65 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center includes paddles, life jackets, hand pump and patch kit; $85 U of U Outdoor Adventures includes paddles, life jackets, hand pump and patch kit
Throw Bag - $5 BYU Outdoors Unlimited UVU Outdoor Adventure Center
Dry Bag - $6 109 Liters BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $4 small, $7 large UVU Outdoor Adventure
Center; $4 small, $7 large U of U Outdoor Adventures
Electric Pump - $15 BYU Outdoors Unlimited
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