Night and day the river flows. If time is the mind of space, the River is the soul of the desert. Brave boatmen come,
they go, they die, the voyage flows on forever. We are all canyoneers. We are all passengers on this little mossy
ship, this delicate dory sailing round the sun that humans call the earth. Joy, shipmates, joy.
Edward Abbey, The Hidden Canyon -- A River Journey
they go, they die, the voyage flows on forever. We are all canyoneers. We are all passengers on this little mossy
ship, this delicate dory sailing round the sun that humans call the earth. Joy, shipmates, joy.
Edward Abbey, The Hidden Canyon -- A River Journey
- Day 1
Our trip begins on the 16th or 23rd, however, folks should fly into Salt Lake City a day early to avoid any delays or in case luggage is lost. After Breakfast we will leave Salt Lake and drive five-hours through southern Utah towards the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell's north shore. The further south we travel, the more dramatic and colorful the scenery becomes, as the rugged and remote Henry Mountains loom to our west. Dinner and our Houseboat await us at the Bull Frog Marina. We will load up, get some instructions on houseboat manners then find a nice canyon to play and spend the night.
Day 2
After breakfast we'll load up our waiting houseboat and set out for the main channel of the Colorado River. As we make our way southwest along the river, we leave civilization behind and are greeted by the splendor and solitude of our wilderness home for the next five days. Our first backcountry anchorage will be along the shores of the Colorado where our guides will serve dinner and conduct a brief orientation providing some additional insight into week's itinerary, the history of Glen Canyon and the creation of Lake Powell.
- Day 3
In the morning we will fire up the houseboat for the cruise to our main anchorage near Pollywog Bench, located in Lake Powell's Escalante Arm. Upon reaching our destination we'll unload our kayaks and, after a safety briefing and paddling demonstration, begin our exploration of Clear Creek where we'll be awed by the soaring walls and arching roof of the Cathedral in the Desert. The warm, reflected desert light is especially vibrant in this deep, narrow canyon and hints at the many fantastic geological phenomena that we'll encounter during the week. After visiting the Cathedral we paddle a short distance back to the Escalante Arm to explore a number of additional side canyons before heading back to the houseboat for dinner, cocktails, and an exploding sunset.
- Day 4
After a morning swim and some hotcakes, we paddle into Davis Gulch, exploring deep alcoves and caves where ancient rainwater drips from porous sandstone ceilings. The canyon gets narrower, and the towering sandstone walls get higher, as we make our way deeper into the gulch. At lake's end we leave our kayaks behind and hike along the sandy creek bottom to LaGorce Arch, high on the canyon wall in the middle of an enormous alcove. We'll break for lunch above a nearby waterfall and continue hiking in search of a series of ancient petroglyphs before returning to our kayaks for the paddle back.
- Day 5
We swap our oars for hiking boots today and explore the colorful world above the lake. We'll hike right from camp and follow an old miner's trail up to the rim of Pollywog Bench. Walking where few have passed before, we'll play on the sandstone hills filled with Moqui Marbles and yucca plants en route to a scenic overlook on the far side of the bench. Upon reaching our destination, the mirage-like beauty of the surrounding landscape, considered sacred to the Navajos, unfolds before our eyes in a 360-degree panorama. After lunch, we'll make our way back to camp arriving in time for a late afternoon swim in the cooling waters. Another fabulous dinner this evening under a canopy of twinkling stars.
- Day 6
Awaken to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee waiting on the deck of our houseboat, and watch the morning sun paint the canyon in shades of yellow, orange and red. Today we'll kayak deeper in the Escalante and wind our way into Fiftymile Canyon, where we'll portage our kayaks a short distance over a small sand dune to a trapped lake that has been cut off from the main pool of Lake Powell. We'll paddle in silence, out of reach of any other boat, parting the glassy waters of this private canyon with our sleek craft. A mile or so in from the sand dam we'll begin a hike through the serpentine narrows of Fiftymile Canyon, wading in and out of the clear waters of Fiftymile Creek.
- Day 7
We enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the superb silence before a final morning of exploration and fun in the Powell backcountry. After motoring out of Pollywog, we'll return to the main channel of the Colorado, gliding past 300-foot-high canyon walls covered with desert varnish.
After dropping the houseboat off at the marina we will begin making our way back to Salt Lake City.
A stop in Goblin Valley State Park provides the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to hike amongst the fantastic sandstone "goblins" that have formed here. We'll encounter hundreds of these intricately carved rock formations during our visit and are sure to leave with renewed appreciation for the forces of erosion that contributed to the creation of this unforgettable region. We drive back to Salt Lake City this afternoon, with a scheduled arrival time around of 7 p.m. I will drop off everyone at their hotel so long as its close to the airport or downtown.
Our trip begins on the 16th or 23rd, however, folks should fly into Salt Lake City a day early to avoid any delays or in case luggage is lost. After Breakfast we will leave Salt Lake and drive five-hours through southern Utah towards the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell's north shore. The further south we travel, the more dramatic and colorful the scenery becomes, as the rugged and remote Henry Mountains loom to our west. Dinner and our Houseboat await us at the Bull Frog Marina. We will load up, get some instructions on houseboat manners then find a nice canyon to play and spend the night.
Day 2
After breakfast we'll load up our waiting houseboat and set out for the main channel of the Colorado River. As we make our way southwest along the river, we leave civilization behind and are greeted by the splendor and solitude of our wilderness home for the next five days. Our first backcountry anchorage will be along the shores of the Colorado where our guides will serve dinner and conduct a brief orientation providing some additional insight into week's itinerary, the history of Glen Canyon and the creation of Lake Powell.
Day 2
After breakfast we'll load up our waiting houseboat and set out for the main channel of the Colorado River. As we make our way southwest along the river, we leave civilization behind and are greeted by the splendor and solitude of our wilderness home for the next five days. Our first backcountry anchorage will be along the shores of the Colorado where our guides will serve dinner and conduct a brief orientation providing some additional insight into week's itinerary, the history of Glen Canyon and the creation of Lake Powell.
In the morning we will fire up the houseboat for the cruise to our main anchorage near Pollywog Bench, located in Lake Powell's Escalante Arm. Upon reaching our destination we'll unload our kayaks and, after a safety briefing and paddling demonstration, begin our exploration of Clear Creek where we'll be awed by the soaring walls and arching roof of the Cathedral in the Desert. The warm, reflected desert light is especially vibrant in this deep, narrow canyon and hints at the many fantastic geological phenomena that we'll encounter during the week. After visiting the Cathedral we paddle a short distance back to the Escalante Arm to explore a number of additional side canyons before heading back to the houseboat for dinner, cocktails, and an exploding sunset.
After a morning swim and some hotcakes, we paddle into Davis Gulch, exploring deep alcoves and caves where ancient rainwater drips from porous sandstone ceilings. The canyon gets narrower, and the towering sandstone walls get higher, as we make our way deeper into the gulch. At lake's end we leave our kayaks behind and hike along the sandy creek bottom to LaGorce Arch, high on the canyon wall in the middle of an enormous alcove. We'll break for lunch above a nearby waterfall and continue hiking in search of a series of ancient petroglyphs before returning to our kayaks for the paddle back.
We swap our oars for hiking boots today and explore the colorful world above the lake. We'll hike right from camp and follow an old miner's trail up to the rim of Pollywog Bench. Walking where few have passed before, we'll play on the sandstone hills filled with Moqui Marbles and yucca plants en route to a scenic overlook on the far side of the bench. Upon reaching our destination, the mirage-like beauty of the surrounding landscape, considered sacred to the Navajos, unfolds before our eyes in a 360-degree panorama. After lunch, we'll make our way back to camp arriving in time for a late afternoon swim in the cooling waters. Another fabulous dinner this evening under a canopy of twinkling stars.
Awaken to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee waiting on the deck of our houseboat, and watch the morning sun paint the canyon in shades of yellow, orange and red. Today we'll kayak deeper in the Escalante and wind our way into Fiftymile Canyon, where we'll portage our kayaks a short distance over a small sand dune to a trapped lake that has been cut off from the main pool of Lake Powell. We'll paddle in silence, out of reach of any other boat, parting the glassy waters of this private canyon with our sleek craft. A mile or so in from the sand dam we'll begin a hike through the serpentine narrows of Fiftymile Canyon, wading in and out of the clear waters of Fiftymile Creek.
We enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the superb silence before a final morning of exploration and fun in the Powell backcountry. After motoring out of Pollywog, we'll return to the main channel of the Colorado, gliding past 300-foot-high canyon walls covered with desert varnish.
After dropping the houseboat off at the marina we will begin making our way back to Salt Lake City.
A stop in Goblin Valley State Park provides the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to hike amongst the fantastic sandstone "goblins" that have formed here. We'll encounter hundreds of these intricately carved rock formations during our visit and are sure to leave with renewed appreciation for the forces of erosion that contributed to the creation of this unforgettable region. We drive back to Salt Lake City this afternoon, with a scheduled arrival time around of 7 p.m. I will drop off everyone at their hotel so long as its close to the airport or downtown.
After dropping the houseboat off at the marina we will begin making our way back to Salt Lake City.
A stop in Goblin Valley State Park provides the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to hike amongst the fantastic sandstone "goblins" that have formed here. We'll encounter hundreds of these intricately carved rock formations during our visit and are sure to leave with renewed appreciation for the forces of erosion that contributed to the creation of this unforgettable region. We drive back to Salt Lake City this afternoon, with a scheduled arrival time around of 7 p.m. I will drop off everyone at their hotel so long as its close to the airport or downtown.
Gear Checklist
Provided Gear:
- Kayaks and kayaking gear
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Houseboat with bathroom and shower facilities
Official Papers
- Airline tickets
- Photo ID
Luggage
- Large duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase
- Daypack (1500 - 2000 cu. in.) to carry your camera, water bottles, extra clothing and lunch
Camping Gear (for campers)
- Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rated to 40 F), lightweight and compressible
- Sleeping pad
- tent
- sleeping bag
Casual Clothing
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel wear
Clothing
- Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Lightweight thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants, synthetic, quick-drying
- Hiking shorts, synthetic, quick-drying
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks
- Swimsuit
Clothing Accessories
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana
- Paddling gloves
Outerwear
- Rain jacket (waterproof & breathable)
Footwear
- Lightweight hiking boots, broken-in
- Paddling/wading shoes (may get wet)
Travel Accessories
- Three (3) one-quart water bottles or hydration system (100 oz. is best)
- Headlamp and spare batteries/bulb
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm w/high SPF
- Toiletry kit
- Small washcloth and small towel
- Handi Wipes
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Insect repellent
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
Optional Field Gear
- Camera, film, and spare batteries
- Ear plugs
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Whistle
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Small freestanding flashlight/lantern for use inside your tent
- Reading and writing materials
- Travel pillow
- Hiking staff or trekking poles
- Favorite energy snacks
Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as appropriate identification, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
- Purchase any beer, wine or spirits on the night you arrive in Salt Lake. There is no alcohol sales in Utah on Sunday, really.
- The walls between bedrooms are thin, bring ear plugs. Last year most folks ended up sleeping on the houseboat roof for the star gazing.
- On any live aboard vessel quarters are tight and privacy is rare. Its important that people are comfortable and experienced in group travel. Good manners are essential!
- If you have dietary restrictions please make them very clear by calling me as soon as you sign up.
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