Packrafting Canyonlands Round 2: Dates?

[Desertratgal]

Howdy,

I did a packrafting trip at the end of May in Canyonlands and it was an absolute dream! Therefore, this Fall I am planning to return. I have my route down, this time floating the Green, but now I'm sorting through dates. I am in school and work, so I have very few dates that will work. Mid-October and mid/late-November are my options. Mid-October would not be ideal because I would have to miss classes to get the amount of days I truly need to finish the route, but weather-wise I imagine that would be perfect. Mid/late-November I will have 9 days off, so much more ideal and relaxed with timing, but I worry that is too late. I really don't enjoy backpacking with lows below 30, and that seems right about what goes on in late November.

Also curious if Stillwater Canyon is at risk of being too low to float in late Fall.

Any insight from experience in Canyonlands during the Fall is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Udink]

I float Labyrinth and/or Stillwater every year in the fall, and the latest I've been in there was October 22-24, 2020 (Spring Canyon to Mineral Bottom). Temps were perfect then, but I'm not sure how they'd be in late November. For me the temps would likely be manageable, but I don't really know when ice starts to form.

Flow-wise on that trip the Green was 1,550-1,600 cfs at the Mineral Bottom gauge and we had to drag the canoe across sandbars a couple of times. A few weeks later, November 15-30, it ranged from 1,800-2,100 cfs. I'm sure flows those would all be fine in a packraft.

 

[Desertratgal]

I float Labyrinth and/or Stillwater every year in the fall, and the latest I've been in there was October 22-24, 2020 (Spring Canyon to Mineral Bottom). Temps were perfect then, but I'm not sure how they'd be in late November. For me the temps would likely be manageable, but I don't really know when ice starts to form.

Flow-wise on that trip the Green was 1,550-1,600 cfs at the Mineral Bottom gauge and we had to drag the canoe across sandbars a couple of times. A few weeks later, November 15-30, it ranged from 1,800-2,100 cfs. I'm sure flows those would all be fine in a packraft.

Perfect. This is really helpful info, thank you! I'm thinking I will make mid-October work. Temps look like they'd be perfect! Dragging the packraft through sandbars would not be too bad if need-be.

If November stays warm and dry late like it did last year I may try to swing another trip. Being solo on cold water with minimal gear is not something I like to mess with though.