Hello paddlers and their friends and family,
Some friends and I have booked a 16-day commercial trip down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon launching April 12, 2025. There is space on the trip for a few more paddlers and a few more raft passengers - up to an additional 8 people.
Key points:
+ Kayakers, canoeists and IKers are welcome, but all paddlers must be approved by the outfitter based on your paddling experience.
+ The expectation is that kayakers and canoeists run the whole river, although in practice there is some flexibility.
+ Non-paddling folks will have the option of oar rafts, paddle raft, possibly a dory and possibly an IK
Details:
+ The trip starts in Flagstaff, AZ on April 11.
+ The Outfitter brings us to Lee's Ferry and we launch that day
+ Take-out at Diamond Creek (226 miles) and return to Flagstaff on April 27
+ Cost is just under $6000 per person
+ Link to trip type: https://azraft.com/classic-trips/full-canyon/
More info:
We did this trip a few years ago, as a way for non-kayaker family members to join us on a Grand Canyon trip. It was a spectacular experience, with great food (that others cooked), wonderful companionship, and a near-perfect family vacation for everyone.
When people think about boating the Grand Canyon, they often have a mental picture of giant rapids, and an image of the canyon itself. Yes, you get to experience the Colorado River - a powerful force of nature. That experience varies with the type of craft you are in, but in every case, most of the river is calm. Some of the rapids are indeed huge, at the right water levels. It is fun and wet, and can be a little scary. You also get an uncommon view of Grand Canyon - from the bottom looking up.
The magic of the place is in the side canyons. Each of the hundreds of small tributaries flowing into the Colorado has a unique microclimate and different geology. My goal is not to see all of the spectacular slot canyons and waterfalls - just the best ones. With that in mind, I will work with the head guide so we can camp at beaches with good hiking. We may get into camp a little later than other trips, so we can spend more time at sites we are floating past.
You also need to know that the guides will do their best to fulfill our dreams for this trip. But many elements are not in their hands. If there is a crazy upstream wind, we may only move a few miles in a day. There will be many other trips on the river; every one of them is trying to create the trip of a lifetime that they have been dreaming about. As good members of the river community, we will talk with the other trips, and compromise so everybody has a great trip and feels good about their experience.
I am super excited that we are getting a charter. As a public trip, the guides would be making choices with no specific input from us. There could be some guests who would rather sleep-in, and others who might be bent out of shape if we are not on the beach in time for afternoon cocktails.
I promise the guides will be excited to be on a trip that is focused on adventure and exploration. They will be part of our team working together to make this a fantastic trip.
Reach out with questions - public@andyheld.com or 206-612-4353