Canyonlands Bike & Sea Kayak Combo
7 days; $975 + tax |
Canyonlands Mountain Bike/ Sea Kayak Combo: We combine two adventure sports on this combination tour of the Canyonlands area near Moab. Beginning with the Canyonlands Sea Kayak tour, we travel down the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon to Mineral Bottom, meeting our support vehicle and bikes for the 4-day ride along the famous White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. Instruction in both sports is provided for novices; no experience is required, however, pre-conditioning is recommended. The bike and kayak portions are also offered separately. Kayaks are provided but those without a bike can rent one from Western Spirit.Sea Kayak Canyonlands: Our unique adventure traverses 44 miles of the Green River through the Canyonlands area of Southeastern Utah. Labyrinth Canyon contains no whitewater, and the steady current and sleek hull design of the sea kayaks allow easy travel. Side-canyon hikes and pioneer history highlight the journey, and the spectacular canyon walls that gradually enclose us unfold into vistas of the buttes and mesas surrounding Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park. We travel self-supported, camping on beaches along the river, enjoying the fabulous spring and fall weather. No experience is required and full instruction in paddling and basic river safety is included.Mountain Bike Canyonlands: Often dubbed the Grand Canyon of cycling trips, this classic ride along 77 miles of red dirt roads offers a unique backcountry bicycling experience in Canyonlands National Park. Our journey begins at Mineral Bottom on the Green River and follows the sinuous path of the White Rim sandstone platform. After travelling along the archaeologically rich banks of the Green River, we round the bend at Junction Butte which marks the confluence of the two rivers, to follow the Colorado River northward. A mixture of technical and easy riding, combined with some of the most stunning scenery in the West, makes this trip a favorite among cyclists of all abilities, and anyone who becomes over-fatigued can take a break in the support van. Trips are run in conjunction with Western Spirit Cycling, you can bring your own bike or rent one from them. Bike Rentals:We can arrange a rental for you at Western Spirit Cycling for $25/day, including helmet and water bottle. These are Ibis bikes with a front suspended fork. Three week advance reservations required to guarantee your size. |
Canyonlands Bike/ Sea Kayak Combo: Days 0-7
Sea Kayak Canyonlands: Days 0-4
Mountain Bike Canyonlands: Days 4-7
Saturday, Day 0 (1997:Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 11; 1998: May 10, May 25) Arrive in Moab, meet at the Moab Information Center at the corner of Center and Main Streets, 6 PM. (Lodging not included this night.)Sunday, Day 1: Depart 7 AM, drive to Ruby Ranch on the Green River. Rig, launch, kayak Instruction. Boat 10-12 miles of Labyrinth Canyon. Lunch at Trin Alcove. Camp on large sandy beach.Monday, Day 2 Visits to River Register and petroglyphs, floating many meanders. Paddle 15-18 miles. Hike to the saddle of Bowknot Bend, where the river twists for seven miles to cover 100 yards. Tuesday, Day 3: Hike Two Mile Canyon to view arch; paddle 15-20 miles, stopping at historic inscriptions. Camp Point Bottom. Wednesday, Day 4:Take out; return to Moab or begin biking. Those who are on the biking-only portion begin here. Climb Hardscrabble Hill, see Fort Bottom ruins. Ride 10 miles. Camp at Potato Bottom. Thursday, Day 5:Following White Rim rock layer, climb out of the river to view Candlestick Rock and Turks Head. Ride 21 miles. Friday, Day 6: Turn the point at Junction Butte, visit White Crack. Proceed upstream on the Colorado River, with breathtaking views of Monument Basin. Ride 17 miles. Saturday, Day 7: After ascending the Shafer Trail, we meet the van at Island in the Sky for an overlook of the heart of Canyonlands Park.Ride 29 miles. Continue by vehicle to Moab. |
Meals: Breakfast Day 1- Lunch last day
Transportation from and back to Moab
Guides/ instruction
Permit fees
All kayak equipment, including dry bags
Vehicle support (bike portion)
Note: no alcoholic beverages provided
Moab is 30 miles s. of I-70 in UT and 80 miles w. of Grand Junction, CO. You can fly to Denver (6 hr. drive), Salt Lake City (5 hr. drive) or to Grand Junction (2 hr. drive), and rent a car to drive to Moab (Thrifty Car Rental, 800-367-2277; there is no one-way fee if driving from Grand Jct.) Bighorn Express (1-888-655-RIDE) is a shuttle service that runs daily between Moab and SLC. Their prices are $45 one way and $84 RT; leaving Moab at 7:35 a.m., arriving at the SLC airport at 12:15 p.m.; leaving SLC at 1:45 p.m. and arriving in Moab at 6:40 p.m. Alpine Air (800-261-2839) flies SLC to Moab ($79-one way, $149-round trip with advance bookings). Coyote Shuttle (801-259-8656), will pick you up at the Moab airport for $12/person with a min. of $18.Our favorite places to stay in Moab? Cottonwood Condos, a 600 sq. ft. apartment on a quiet street, $60 for 2, $7.50 for each additional person, 800-447-4106; our favorite small, reasonable hotel: Colorado River Lodge, 1 or 2 people, 1 bed, $45, 2 people 2 beds, $55, $4 each additional person: 801-259-6122. All rates are subject to change without notice. |
"It is rare to be able to completely escape from the cares of the modern world and do something totally different. I have vivid, happy memories of the peace of the river canyon, the stillness of the air, and the fact that for once, it was possible to leave all worries behind." Ian McDonald, Chevy Chase, Maryland |