5 Days Solo Packrafting Canyonlands

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!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4401.jpeg
    IMG_4401.jpeg
    445.7 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_4446.jpeg
    IMG_4446.jpeg
    482.2 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_4466.jpeg
    IMG_4466.jpeg
    563.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_4522.jpeg
    IMG_4522.jpeg
    345.6 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_4553.jpeg
    IMG_4553.jpeg
    590.6 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_4629.jpeg
    IMG_4629.jpeg
    541.3 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_4637.jpeg
    IMG_4637.jpeg
    443.9 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_4670.jpeg
    IMG_4670.jpeg
    410.2 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_4704.jpeg
    IMG_4704.jpeg
    462 KB · Views: 14
  • IMG_4716.jpeg
    IMG_4716.jpeg
    619.6 KB · Views: 14
  • IMG_4788.jpeg
    IMG_4788.jpeg
    695.4 KB · Views: 14
Last edited:
That looks like a great trip! Hopefully, you can venture deeper into the Maze next time.
How were the bugs on the nights spent on the Colorado before Spanish Bottom?
I got excited watching the video when I saw the 3 Bean Chili Mac! I usually make my own meals, but lately I've been trying a few dehydrated prepackaged meals in situations without running water. I tried that meal a year ago and wasn't impressed, but after a particularly long hot desert day last week, I added a Sazon garlic/onion/cilantro seasoning pack and 1 oz of tahini to the 3 Bean Chili Mac. It might've been my most satisfying meal in over a year--on or off trail! The same company's Butternut Dal Bhat is perfect as is.
 
That looks like a great trip! Hopefully, you can venture deeper into the Maze next time.
How were the bugs on the nights spent on the Colorado before Spanish Bottom?
I got excited watching the video when I saw the 3 Bean Chili Mac! I usually make my own meals, but lately I've been trying a few dehydrated prepackaged meals in situations without running water. I tried that meal a year ago and wasn't impressed, but after a particularly long hot desert day last week, I added a Sazon garlic/onion/cilantro seasoning pack and 1 oz of tahini to the 3 Bean Chili Mac. It might've been my most satisfying meal in over a year--on or off trail! The same company's Butternut Dal Bhat is perfect as is.
Thank you! I'm planning on returning in the fall, and hopefully I'll be able to work a night or 2 in the Maze in to my route.
Bugs were not an issue at all. A week before my trip, I went on a quick overnight packrafting trip close to home (an hour or 2 from the park) on the Colorado river and I was eaten alive by bugs. I was shocked to not be battling bugs along the river.
That's funny you say that about those meals, I feel the same exact way. The chili mac just didn't have much flavor to it, but the Dal Bhat was perfect. I may have to try your chili mac add-ons. The texture was there, it's just bland.
 
Great trip. It's so cool that you were able to visit all three districts of Canyonlands on one trip!
 
The Slide was actually a rapid for you? The higher water must have made that way more fun. When I did it it was just swift moving water, not even a Class I.
 
Last edited:
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
norwegianxplorer Backpacking Norway, Lysefjorden/Kjerag/Kjerag Waterfall/Kjeragbolten, 4 days Solo Hiking high above the Norwegian Fjords Trip Reports 2
W 9 Days Solo Escalante Loop in October (water advice) - Stevens Canyon, Baker Route over Waterpocket fold, Halls Narrows to Moody Canyons Trip Planning 11
Born to Hike Backpacking Northern Windriver Range, solo 60+ miles, 5 days, mid September 2018 Backpacking 17
tarpon6 9 Days Solo Wind River Range Washakie Pass, Grave Lake, Hailey Pass Loop. Backpacking 6
scatman Yellowstone's Thorofare, Headwaters of Thorofare Creek, Majo Pass, Younts Peak, Bob's Canyon, and Cub Creek - August 9, 2023 - Days 7 through 10 Backpacking 34
scatman Yellowstone's Thorofare, Headwaters of Thorofare Creek, Majo Pass, Younts Peak, Bob's Canyon, and Cub Creek - August 9, 2023 - Days 1 through 6 Backpacking 56
B 5 Days in the Sawtooths Backpacking 2
M Backpacking 50 miles in the Uinta Mountains for 5 days with ~50 pound pack Backpacking 4
Bob The Thorofare to Brooks Lake - 9 Days in Pictures Backpacking 10
RyanP Four Days in the IPW (8/9 - 8/12) Backpacking 17
D Four Days in the Maze, April 17-20 2023 Backpacking 7
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 9 of 9, 7-29 & 30, /2022 Backpacking 5
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 8 of 9, 7/28/2022 Backpacking 5
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 7 of 9, July 26-27, 2022 Backpacking 13
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 6, 7/25/2022 Backpacking 17
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 5 of 9, 7/23-24, 2022 Backpacking 10
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 4 of 9, 7/22, 2022 Backpacking 4
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 3 of 9, 7/20-21, 2022 Backpacking 2
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 2, 7/19/2022 Backpacking 4
F 12 days in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness, part 1, 7/15-18, 2022 Backpacking 13
norwegianxplorer 6 days Backpacking Norway in the Fall (Part 2) Backpacking 4
norwegianxplorer 6 days backpacking Jotunheimen in the fall Trip Reports 4
regehr King's in two days Hiking & Camping 5
norwegianxplorer 7 days backpacking Breheimen/Glacier Home National Park in Norway Backpacking 2
Bob Slickhorn Canyon System - 6 days Backpacking 22
Mikjik86 4 Days Backpacking Grand Teton Wilderness/Teton Crest Trail - Wyoming, July, 2021 Backpacking 0
J Death Valley Natl. Pk. 6 Days hiking. Nov 14-19, 2021 Hiking & Camping 1
norwegianxplorer Finding Hidden Glacier, 9 days backpacking Jotunheimen National Park Pt3, Norway. Trip Reports 0
norwegianxplorer 5 days Backpacking Rondane National Park, Norway Backpacking 3
norwegianxplorer 10 days Backpacking Femundsmarka National Park and Rogen Nature Reserve, Norway and Sweden Backpacking 8
napatony13 1100 Miles, 43 Days, Summits All 58 14ers in Colorado General Discussion 4
Titans Reflections in ponds: 4 days in The Adirondacks, Sept 1-4, 2021 Hiking & Camping 5
Janice 7 Breathtaking Days in the Winds Trip Reports 15
2eez4life 4 days 3 nights in the Uintas Trip Planning 9
Bob Bob Marshall - 7 days Backpacking 7
Laura V. Four Days in Salt Creek Canyon, April 2021 Backpacking 31
NorthwestWanderer 4 Days Backpacking Capitol Reef : Spring Canyon & Various side canyons Backpacking 5
norwegianxplorer Ski Dogs, Norway, fun days off piste ski touring amazing conditions Winter Sports 0
WasatchWill The High Uintas 4-4-4: Four Basins, Four Passes, Four Days Backpacking 20
J A few days in Mojave National Preserve Dec. 5-7, 2020 Hiking & Camping 9
J N. Mojave Desert Rambles and Scrambles (start of 40 desert days) Nov. 14-20, 2020 Hiking & Camping 4
LarryBoy Five Days on Boulder Mountain Backpacking 5
Hiker Seth A few days in Baxter SP Backpacking 5
norwegianxplorer Summiting Mount Whitney from Guitar Lake, 6 Days backpacking the Sierra before the Creek Fire closed everything down. Backpacking 5
Happyidiot 4 Days In The Winds Backpacking 10
M 5 days Green > Elk Wind River route advice August 17th Trip Planning 9
balzaccom Five days in Yosemite Backpacking 2
TrailScot 10 days in The Maze - April 2019 Backpacking 22
NorthwestWanderer 3 days in Idaho/Oregon's Hells Canyon: Pittsburgh Landing to Willow Creek Backpacking 2
pstm13 HELP NEEDED- Idaho in Early June for 2-3 Days Trip Planning 6

Similar threads

Back
Top