Guided River Trips

[Nick]

Has anyone here done any guided whitewater river trips? Like Cataract or perhaps the Grand Canyon? I'd love to try one out sometime. I considered getting into rafting and actually buying one, but the dog unfriendliness, costs and complicated logistics made me rule it out. That and my wife would never go with me. She's much happier with flat water and an outboard motor to push us around. But I think I'd be willing to shell out some bucks to experience some of those places I won't otherwise. I was kind of thinking of trying a Cataract tour and then maybe someday doing a big Grand Canyon tour. I've never really been into the idea of a guided tour anywhere, but it seems like the only reasonable choice for places like that. Anyone have any recommendations, opinions or thoughts on companies or itineraries? Or just want to take me with on your river trip?

 

[Parma]

I'm little biased, but if you want whitewater, you need to go to Idaho.
Payette rivers, Salmon rivers, Snake river, and Lochsa river to name a few.
Or the Snake River near Jackson has a fun stretch too.

If you are interested in doing a trip there i can get more info for you.

 

[slc_dan]

The full enchilada down the Grand is prob #1 on my bucket list.

 

[River]

And the Idaho rivers are dog friendly too!

 

[Nick]

Whitewater is one aspect, but the remote desert canyons are the real appeal for me. Particularly the grand. Idaho and other mountain type trips would be awesome to do with friends, but I probably would never pay for a guided service for it.

The full enchilada down the Grand is prob #1 on my bucket list.

If you ever book it, I'd be right there with you. Part of my hesitation is doing it alone (even though I'd be with a ton of guides and strangers).

 

[mak1277]

I think it would be awesome. A friend of mine did 9 days on the Colorado and said it was one of the best trips of his life (and he's been everywhere).

The other place I'd pay to do a guided trip is Alaska.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I'd be in for a BCP-only booked trip through the Grand

 

[Nick]

That would be a kick ass way to do a meet up...

 

[slc_dan]

That would be a kick ass way to do a meet up...

Hopefully you get along! 21 days afterall.

 

[Nick]

True, but I have more faith in getting along with anyone on BCP than the random folks on any other tour.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

True, but I have more faith in getting along with anyone on BCP than the random folks on any other tour.

As long as we don't discuss Jeeps and Toyotas

 

[Bob]

Went down the Grand Canyon from Lee's Ferry to Lake Meade back in 1972 on the big rafts ........ on a geology field trip. Even got college credit for it. Way worth it. Have hitched rides twice in the canyon on rafts.

Pretty expensive now or you have to be lucky for the lottery. Always find someone to take you if you win.

 

[andyjaggy]

I'm little biased, but if you want whitewater, you need to go to Idaho.
Payette rivers, Salmon rivers, Snake river, and Lochsa river to name a few.
Or the Snake River near Jackson has a fun stretch too.

If you are interested in doing a trip there i can get more info for you.

My neighbor is a hardcore kayaker and says there are hardly any rivers in Utah worth doing. He always heads up to Idaho.

 

[Nick]

My neighbor is a hardcore kayaker and says there are hardly any rivers in Utah worth doing. He always heads up to Idaho.

Sounds like he's more into the adrenaline. Utah has amazing rivers! Errr, I mean yeah, the rivers here suck. Go to Idaho, everyone!

 

[Parma]

Utah rivers are more of a scenic easy float, not what you'd call whitewater.

 

[Nick]

Looks like Western River Expeditions offers a Buy 18, Get 1 free kind of discount for groups (varies a bit). That would be like a 5% discount if the benefit was averaged across the group. So basically, not much.

http://www.westernriver.com/trips/group-travel/

 

[Bob]

Try the Logan, Weber, Escalante, DD, Green during spring run off ........ not the easy float.

 

[Parma]

you can find whitewater in Utah, especially during spring runoff. But in comparison it's not even close.

 

[Bob]

Hatch used to be decent. Arizona River Runners is still around, they were good. They both have 12 dayers for around $3500.00.

Lots of inflation since I went...... I paid $250.

 

[BJett]

My neighbor is a hardcore kayaker and says there are hardly any rivers in Utah worth doing. He always heads up to Idaho.

I'm a whitewater kayaker, but the coolest run I've ever been on is the Chute of Muddy Creek. It's subjective, I have plenty of kayak friends who wont paddle unless its class 4/5. They're more into the rush, rather than the surroundings. I agree that Utah doesn't have that much world class whitewater, but scenery it wins hands down. If you like the desert and stuff.

If you EVER get a chance to float the Grand Canyon, do it. Best 23 days of my life.