Rio Chama Music Adventure with Chuck Pyle
Rio Chama, Northern New Mexico

May 23- 25, 2009  Memorial Day Weekend

Enjoy the music of Chuck Pyle under the stars by a crackling campfire on this extraordinary wilderness canyon adventure. Join the "Zen Cowboy", one of Colorado's most outstanding singer-songwriters, for a truly amazing river experience. There is no finer venue to listen to the serenade of Chuck's music than this exquisite canyon. The Rio Chama flows through 35 miles of remote canyon wilderness in northern New Mexico, designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress. The Chama offers outstanding pristine camps in towering Ponderosa pines. An assortment of calm water floating and moderate whitewater rapids, suitable for first time river travelers or those seeking outstanding scenery without difficult rapids. You will float through heavily forested sandstone canyons providing some of the most beautiful scenery in the Southwest.

CHUCK PYLE: Chuck combines a mix of upbeat New Age humor and Cowboy Poetry with a charismatic voice and unique guitar style. He is an innovator of a new Colorado sound; his songs are complex, dramatic stories about haunted violins, heroic police officers and confused 12 steppers. He quotes bumper stickers, world leaders and old cowboys mixing in his own wry view of the world. Visit www.chuckpyle.com for more information on this exceptional singer-songwriter.
Trip Price: $ 550.00 includes BLM use fees.

TRIP ITINERARY:

WHAT TO BRING:

You will find a packing list at our What to Bring link on this page. It is best to pack your gear in stuff sacks, net bags or even pillow cases that can be easily transferred to the waterproof bags that ART provides.  Backpacks or duffel bags do not fit well in the bags. Daytime temperatures range from 60 – 85 degrees but the evenings can be cool.  You should always be prepared for rain.  For your comfort in camp, ART provides camp chairs. If you would like to enjoy alcoholic beverages in camp, please bring your own supply in unbreakable containers.

MEALS:

Meals begin with lunch on Day 1 and end with lunch on Day 3.  Arkansas River Tours has a long history of preparing delicious, riverside meals with a variety of high quality, fresh ingredients.  Menus are typically centered on meat and fish, but we are happy to accommodate individuals who are vegetarians or have special dietary needs. Be sure to let us know in advance. 

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND EMERGENCIES:

All participants should be in good physical condition and not have experienced recent injuries or surgeries.  ART guides are trained in First Aid & CPR and carry first-aid supplies.  All trip leaders have swift water rescue training.  In the event of evacuation and/or medical treatment beyond first-aid, expenses incurred are the responsibility of the participant.  You will be asked to sign a release of liability form detailing the risks of the trip.

PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS:

Tent camping is available at El Vado Ranch. Visit www.elvado.com for all the details. The nearby town of Chama also offers lodges, hotels and restaurants. Information is available at www.chamavalley.com.  We recommend the Elkhorn Lodge and Restaurant at www.elkhornlodge.net.

GETTING TO THE RIO CHAMA PUT-IN AT EL VADO RANCH:

The closest major airport is in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airport is about 3 .5 hours and 166 to El Vado Ranch, 2.5 hours from the take-out. Coming from Chama, take Hwy 84 south out of town for 12 miles to Hwy 112.  Turn right on 112 and drive 15 miles to El Vado Ranch.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Eat breakfast and be at El Vado Ranch by 8AM.  Look for the clearly marked Arkansas River Tours van and guides. They will be by the river close to the entrance of El Vado Ranch.  We can also meet people coming from the south in New Mexico at the Ghost Ranch Living Museum / Visitors Center on Hwy 84.  Please let us know if you would like to meet us there.

First, we prepare to run the shuttle. One driver from each vehicle will follow the ART van to the take-out at Big Eddy so that vehicles will be waiting at the end of the trip. If you are driving the shuttle, you will change into the clothing you will wear on the river and coordinate with your partner about packing while you are gone. This will allow the trip to get on the river as soon as possible after the shuttle returns.

Each person will be given a large waterproof bag for camping equipment and clothing you will want for camp. These bags will not be accessible during the day. Rain gear and anything else you will need during the day will go in a small dry bag and be easily accessible. Guides will be rigging the gear boats with equipment and bags while the shuttle is being driven. 

The shuttle drivers return mid-morning and you listen to a river safety talk. Then river time kicks in. Stash your watches away, pick a boat to ride on and leave all your cares at the put-in. The current grabs our boats and carries us downstream to an old homestead where we explore, enjoy a deli-style lunch, and wonder what life was like for those early settlers. Back on the river we while away the afternoon enjoying the beautiful canyon and unwinding as the river spins us and carries us on our journey. Perhaps we’ll spot some wildlife on the shore or a Great Blue Heron flying low along the river. Once at camp, you will claim that perfect spot for your tent and relax as the ART Guides prepare a delicious dinner. With full bellies, we settle back and listen to Chuck’s musical stories under the stars, by a crackling campfire.

DAY 2:  JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

After a leisurely breakfast, we continue the journey and arrive at our next camp by lunchtime.  There’s plenty of time for hiking, relaxing and getting to know new friends before it’s time for dinner and another intimate concert by Chuck.

DAY 3: WHITEWATER!  

The canyon continues to amaze us with spectacular vistas and the river wakes us with playful and exciting rapids. All too soon, Chuck is serenading us under a canopy of shady oaks at our lunch stop. We stretch it out as we realize this is our final meal together. We arrive at the Big Eddy take-out in the late afternoon. We unload the boats, repack our gear in our vehicles, bid farewell to new friends, and head down the road…. smiling and humming our favorite Chuck Pyle tune.