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Green River Desolation Canyon
 Desolation Canyon is appropriately named . . .
...it is remote, untouched, and splendid in its austerity. The Green River winds through it warmly, granting easy access to wild and forgotten places.
Our trips are either seven days of drifting, paddling, swimming, hiking, exploring, laughing, relaxing, and star-gazing, or a week of wondering about nature, balance, possibilities, and life. Sometimes they're both.
The canyon has been home to humans for thousands of years, and we will note their passing by visiting Native American rock art sites, exploring abandoned ranches, and envisioning Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hiding out in the draws and bottoms. We’ll also relive John Wesley’s Powell’s sense of discovery and uncertainty as we tackle the river’s rapids in small inflatable kayaks, (or not-so-small oar-rafts for those who want to avoid the uncertainty).
Our week-long whitewater rafting trips begin in Green River, Utah with a butterflies-in-the-stomach flight over the canyon to our launch site and combines nicely with a visit to Arches or Canyonlands National Park.
"Everything about this trip was stellar,
and the guides were especially wonderful!"
Phyllis Kline
ARTA GUIDE
RAFAEL ACUNA
 You know that guy who can play the guitar and sing and smile and NOT be obnoxious? Or the guy who can listen to you talk about your childhood and your accomplishments and your children (not to mention your disappointments and pet-peeves) and still be interested and engaged (not to mention encouraging)? Or the guy you find yourself enthusiastically following even though no one ever said he was the leader? You know the guy who can make you appreciate the outdoors and get excited about the wilderness and be thankful for Mother Nature even when it is pouring rain and your tent just blew into the river? Or the guy who you feel like you’ve known for years even though you just met him yesterday? Or the guy you want your sister to marry (or, heck, for that matter, the guy you want anyone in your family to marry)? You know all those guys? Then you know Rafa.
Meet more of our guides...
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For Left Brained People:
In one word: Vast
In another word: Escape
Expect to: Chill out
Meeting Place:Green River, UT
Length in days: 7
Length in miles: 84
Gradient: 11 feet/mile
Overall difficulty: III
Highest difficulty: III+ (3)
Rapids/day: ~5
Signature Rapid:Cow Swim
Types of boats: Oar and
 inflatable kayak
Hiking: A+
Scenery: A-
Wilderness: A
Fishing: C
Campsites: B
Wildlife: B+
Swimming: B+
For Right Brained People:
They DO call it Desolation Canyon for nothing. This is the most austere and empty canyon that we float through. If you want to get away from it all, this is where you should come. If you want to spend a week with your young kids and not worry about anything except putting on sunscreen, this is where you should take them. There are long, flat stretches of river that lend themselves to conversation and entice swimming; there are uncountable side canyons that encourage exploration or at least invite wonder; there are short hikes, long hikes and hikes we have never done. There are sand bars for camping on, cottonwoods for napping under and views for blowing your mind. There are even a couple of clear creeks that provide a refreshing and welcome mid-trip surprise. There are two different types of boats to ride in: oar rafts which are built for lounging and lazy conversation (some guests have been known to fall asleep), and inflatable kayaks which are built to increase confidence and start waterfights.
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