Green vs. Colorado Rivers above confluence

[futurafree]

If anyone has floated both rivers above Canyonlands from about Mineral Bottom on the Green or from a similar distance on the Colorado (3-6 days of floating), how do they compare in terms of:

--beauty
--water speed
--ruins
--camping spots
--launch access

Has anyone done the road to Mineral Bottom in a 2WD SUV or car recently?

 

[Laura V.]

Hello. When are you planning to do your trip? I have not floated the Colorado above the Confluence, but I took a canoe down the Green through Labyrinth Canyon six or seven years ago. The scenery was beautiful, and there was enough current in July to keep my group moving along without much effort. We spent 4 days but could have done it in 3. I don’t remember the flow at the time, but I believe that the river was running low. I remember having some nice ledge campsites. Beaches were exposed but BUGGY. In fact, what I remember most about that trip was the swarms of mosquitoes… everywhere and all day long. To suggest that you bring a long shirt and bug spray is an understatement. I would not consider doing that trip again in July. There were some beautiful side hikes and swimming holes to play in. Were I to do it again, I would plan on 4 days to allow time to hike and explore, but I would go in April.

 

[futurafree]

Cool, thanks. Did you start at Hardscrabble Bottom or Mineral Bottom? Or somewhere else?
I'm considering mid-October, but I'm a little worried about being chilly on the river. There's zero splash factor, right?
If you took the famous switchback road down to or past Mineral Bottom to get to your put-in, was it fine for regular vehicles?

 

[Nick]

The biggest difference in my mind is that on the Colorado side you’ll get less of a wilderness vibe due to the frequent jet boat traffic. Launch access is easier on the Colorado side as well. Otherwise I’d say the rest is pretty similar.

 

[futurafree]

The biggest difference in my mind is that on the Colorado side you’ll get less of a wilderness vibe due to the frequent jet boat traffic. Launch access is easier on the Colorado side as well. Otherwise I’d say the rest is pretty similar.

I'd seen a jet boat once during a Canyonlands adventure, but I'd forgotten they exclusively go down the Colorado from Moab. That rules out the Colorado, thanks!

 

[Laura V.]

I'd seen a jet boat once during a Canyonlands adventure, but I'd forgotten they exclusively go down the Colorado from Moab. That rules out the Colorado,

Cool, thanks. Did you start at Hardscrabble Bottom or Mineral Bottom? Or somewhere else?
I'm considering mid-October, but I'm a little worried about being chilly on the river. There's zero splash factor, right?
If you took the famous switchback road down to or past Mineral Bottom to get to your put-in, was it fine for regular vehicles?

We started at Mineral Bottom. I was driving a Toyota Tacoma with 4wd. I don’t recall specific details of that road which probably means that I wasn’t worried about it in my truck. That said, I would exercise caution in a vehicle without 4wd or clearance out there. So much depends on the current weather though. Was there a recent storm? Washout? Etc.? I would be hesitant to drive something other than my truck, especially if there were not another vehicle. As for “zero splash factor”, I’d say the splash factor is 2%. There were a couple of riffles where I suppose things could go sideways, but it’s unlikely. Labyrinth is a great, mellow float.