Bayer Healthcare Team Building trip

Sheri Griffith Expeditions' congratulates all the members of the Bayer Management Team who completed our Team Building course. They braved cold weather and long nights to spend three days in the beginning of November in beautiful Westwater Canyon. Along with surviving the exciting rapids they got a chance to see Bald Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks, Mallard Ducks, Peregrine Falcons and very few Humans.

Desolation Canyon History

• River: The Green River
• Rapid Rating: Class II-III
• Put in: Sand Wash, Utah. (1 ½ - 2 hours from Duchesne, Utah)
• Take-out location: Swasey's boat ramp. (30 minutes north of Green River, Utah)
• River Miles: 84
• Number of rapids: Over 50 ·
• First to run Desolation Canyon: The trappers and prospectors in the late 1700's and early 1800's, followed by John Wesley Powell in 1869.

Desolation and Gray Canyons lie between the towns of Duchesne and Green River in east central Utah. These canyons are intertwined with history of the Fremont Indians, John Wesley Powell, ranchers, and outlaws and are a registered National Historic site. In 1869, after traveling through "a region of wildest desolation," John Wesley Powell named Desolation Canyon. Gray Canyon also received its name from Major Powell after considering the names Lignite and Coal Canyons. Click here for more information on Desolation Canyon on the Green River.

Super Guide Highlight~ Faye Gilbert

This year Faye was voted as having the "Best Interpretive Knowledge" by her fellow Sheri Griffith Expeditions' guides for the second year in a row. It helps that she has a degree in Geology but it is still quite an accomplishment with the many natural history, and botany degrees throughout SGE.

Faye has been with SGE for 3 years and guiding for 6. Faye's never ending quest for knowledge of the southwest is only surpassed by her willingness to share this knowledge with others. Faye's love of the rivers takes her all over the U.S., from California to West Virginia. Faye's favorite thing about working for Sheri Griffith Expeditions is the amazing people she gets to work for and with.

• Faye's Favorite River Meal: Salmon on rice
• Faye's Favorite Hike: Little D Waterfall in Westwater Canyon
• Faye' Favorite River Stretch: Gates of Lodore
  • Why: The Gates are so impressive to enter.
• Faye's River Talent: Her ability to help answer just about any question about the area.

Quotes

"I just had to write to let you people all know what a wonderful crew and staff you have. I am the one that was scared to death and starting with my call months before our trip was even scheduled to the day of and after the finish you folks were just great. I really did have a great trip and the side excursions were made even better by the knowledge and intelligence of the crew." ~ Martha Koeng, Westwater Canyon, July 9, 2005

"I wanted to write back quickly to thank you all for such a fabulous trip. As fellow souls of the river, I know you'll understand how overjoyed we are at having the opportunity to share the solitude, sun & introspection the river provides to our clan & kindred and have it be so effortless.

From setting up the logistics w/ Karen, to sharing camps with Jose & Laura ... the entire experience couldn't have been easier, more relaxed nor more professional. Thanks. If you ever are requested a reference (individually or for the entire outfit) know I'd be happy to relay my feelings w/ an unconditional recommendation." -Paul Forester, Desolation Canyon, July 16, 2005

"Just wanted to send a quick note letting you know how much we enjoyed our recent 1 day Westwater Canyon trip (Sunday Sept. 4th). Our guide Faye was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the area and its history and one hell of a rower! The folks in the other rafts were all smiles as well, so I assume your other guides are also top notch, but our group wanted to send a note of praise for the job Faye did. You've got a great guide in Faye, she made our trip one we won't soon forget and something we'd highly recommend to other friends and family."

David Stropes