Desertratgal
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2022
- Messages
- 16
Last week I headed out on my most ambitious trip yet; solo packrafting Canyonlands.
I started my trip in Island in the Sky, working my way down Lathrop Trail. After reaching White Rim Road, I followed Lathrop Canyon Road to reach the Colorado River. That worked out to be around 11 miles.
Over the next 2 days I worked myself down the 30 miles of the Colorado River that leads to Spanish Bottom. Although the river was at high flow (~16,000 cfs), the days on the water were calm and peaceful. The only moment that was not peaceful was the only rapid on the river, "the slide". I was expecting class 1, but was I felt it was class 2+. It was the roughest water I'd taken my packraft through and it nearly flipped me, but I got through unscathed.
I camped at Spanish Bottom the next 2 nights. I met a few lizards and a harmless snake introduced itself to me while I was napping on a boulder. During my layover day at Spanish Bottom, I cached my gear and climbed out of the canyon and into the Maze district of Canyonlands. I wondered around, exploring Beehive Arch, the Granary, campsites, and 4X4 roads. I cannot wait to get deeper in the Maze, that area left me hungry for more.
The last day I started my morning early, packing up and crossing the river to Lower Red Lake Canyon. The campsite that usually connects with the trail was submerged with the water level, and I went through some rough bushwacking to make things work. After cleaning, drying, and packing my raft, it was time to begin the hike out. I took Lower Red Lake Canyon trail to Cyclone Canyon to the Confluence Trail. It was about 11 miles with a lot of fun scrambling towards the end. It felt incredible and empowering for the last few miles of my Canyonlands adventure to require scrambling around with my 40+ lb pack on.
I reached the Big Spring Canyon Overlook Trailhead where my amazing friends had shuttled my car for me, and a group of strangers congratulated me after asking about my trip. It was a really meaningful ending to my journey.
This trip was an absolute dream. I threw together a video from my trip capturing the visuals. Check it out if you're curious!
I started my trip in Island in the Sky, working my way down Lathrop Trail. After reaching White Rim Road, I followed Lathrop Canyon Road to reach the Colorado River. That worked out to be around 11 miles.
Over the next 2 days I worked myself down the 30 miles of the Colorado River that leads to Spanish Bottom. Although the river was at high flow (~16,000 cfs), the days on the water were calm and peaceful. The only moment that was not peaceful was the only rapid on the river, "the slide". I was expecting class 1, but was I felt it was class 2+. It was the roughest water I'd taken my packraft through and it nearly flipped me, but I got through unscathed.
I camped at Spanish Bottom the next 2 nights. I met a few lizards and a harmless snake introduced itself to me while I was napping on a boulder. During my layover day at Spanish Bottom, I cached my gear and climbed out of the canyon and into the Maze district of Canyonlands. I wondered around, exploring Beehive Arch, the Granary, campsites, and 4X4 roads. I cannot wait to get deeper in the Maze, that area left me hungry for more.
The last day I started my morning early, packing up and crossing the river to Lower Red Lake Canyon. The campsite that usually connects with the trail was submerged with the water level, and I went through some rough bushwacking to make things work. After cleaning, drying, and packing my raft, it was time to begin the hike out. I took Lower Red Lake Canyon trail to Cyclone Canyon to the Confluence Trail. It was about 11 miles with a lot of fun scrambling towards the end. It felt incredible and empowering for the last few miles of my Canyonlands adventure to require scrambling around with my 40+ lb pack on.
I reached the Big Spring Canyon Overlook Trailhead where my amazing friends had shuttled my car for me, and a group of strangers congratulated me after asking about my trip. It was a really meaningful ending to my journey.
This trip was an absolute dream. I threw together a video from my trip capturing the visuals. Check it out if you're curious!
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