River Expeditions
Cataract Canyon - Favorite (CA3)
The Details
Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner
Your adventure begins at the Tag-A-Long office at 7:00 a.m. After a short, scenic ride to the Potash Boat Ramp downstream of Moab and a brief orientation, we launch! As you drift on the calm waters of the Colorado River, your guide will discuss the natural and human history, geology, and flora and fauna. There are walks at several spots with views of petrified wood, geologic wonders and historical sites from oil prospecting from the 1920 era. For lunch, your guides will show off the culinary skills you will enjoy throughout your expedition. Late afternoon, we stop to set up our first camp in a picturesque spot near the river. Instruction on setting up tents makes it quick and easy, so you can spend your time getting to know your companions, playing horseshoes, or burying your toes in the sand. Dinners on the river consist of an appetiser, main course with a salad, and dessert.
Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After coffee and breakfast, we continue down the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park. Along the way prehistoric Indian ruins built by the Ancient Puebloan Peoples, the same culture who built the amazing structures at Mesa Verde National Park are pointed out. Choose to take a hike over the Loop for a hawk's eye view of the Colorado River or, float around the loop on the raft. After lunch on shore we reach the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, a magical place where two great Western rivers join forces before tumbling into Cataract Canyon.
Day 3 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a hearty breakfast and thorough white water instruction, we depart camp and begin the adventure of a lifetime as we encounter the brilliant rapids of Cataract Canyon. These rapids represent some of the most well known and respected whitewater in North America. As we descend the river, the rapids become more intense. Meet "Capsize", "Ben Hurt", "Powell's Pocket Watch", and the three spectacular rapids of the "Big Drops". These are the steepest and most thrilling stretches anywhere on the Colorado River. Tonight we'll camp near Lake Powell with moonlight reflecting off the water to recount the day's events.
Day 4 – Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast we cross stunning Lake Powell, a red rock and blue water wonderland. There will be time for swimming, relaxing, and absorbing the raw beauty of this country. We arrive at Hite Marina by afternoon where you embark for the return trip to Moab. We recommend the scenic flight over Canyonlands National Park and the rapids you just rafted.