8-Day Colorado River High School Study Program
Program Details
DATES:
July 19 – 26, 2009
July 26 – August 2, 2009
COST: $1,350/person + $80/person for R/T transportation from SLC to Moab
AGE:14 - 17 years
RIVER RATING: Class III
TRIP SUMMARY:
Focusing on geology, archaeology, ecology and environmental action, this program offers in-depth teaching and discussion that will be incorporated into each day of the 6-day raft trip as well as into the ½-day of travel from Salt Lake City to Moab, UT the day before the raft trip.
Join geologist Holly Godsey along with a group of knowledgeable educators and experienced river guides for a week of collaborative teaching and learning on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon. Days spent whitewater rafting and hiking in Canyonlands National Park are complimented with in-depth discussion of the region’s fascinating geology, archaeology and ecology around the campfire while students and teachers alike team up to explore the challenges that face our ailing planet.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Our Cataract Canyon rafting trip begins with a scenic and instructional drive from Salt Lake City to Moab
- Overnight in Moab and depart in the morning for the put-in at Potash
- Enter Meander Canyon and watch for petroglyphs
- Float leisurely into Canyonlands National Park
- Spectacular side canyons, prehistoric ruins, seasonal waterfalls and incredible vistas
- Lathrop Ruin and ancient pictographs of solstice calendar
- Explore Indian Creek’s fascinating Native American ruins
- Float past Pyramid Butte, the mighty Goose Neck and Dead Horse Point (immortalized in the movie Thelma and Louise)
- Meet the confluence of the Green River where Cataract Canyon begins, hinting at the whitewater to come
- Major rapids begin at Spanish Bottom where it is possible to see a fading 1893 inscription from the steamer, Major Powell
- Enter the Maze District and hike 1,200 feet up to the Doll House where you can view the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park from a unique vantage point
- Challenge Brown Betty, Mile Long, Capsize and the legendary Big Drop Rapids
- Enter Lake Powell at Hite and transfer back to Moab
