Katrina Relief Trip

Sheri Griffith Expeditions would like to thank all who participated in our 1 day Westwater Canyon trip to help support the victims of hurricane Katrina. On September 15, 34 participants rafted with Sheri Griffith Expeditions in Westwater Canyon with all proceeds being donated to the American Red Cross Katrina Fund. We would also like to thank the Sheri Griffith guides, drivers and staff who volunteered their time to this cause.

Cataract Canyon History

Cataract Canyon lies in the heart of Canyonlands National Park, 65 miles down the Colorado River from Moab, Utah, and 110 miles down the Green River from the town of Green River, Utah. These two powerful rivers meet at the Confluence and combine to make some of the most commanding and famous rapids in North America. Cataract Canyon's rapids caused more damage and created more fear in early river runners than those of the Grand Canyon. Cataract's rapids are only part of the amazing story about this section of the Colorado River. Cataract and Canyonlands also has amazing human, and natural history, long with classic river running stories and adventures.

The first European explorers to the area were Franciscan friars, Dominguez and Escalante, in 1776. Because of the deep canyon they decided not to cross. In 1836 a French fur trapper named Denis Julien left his initials in Cataract Canyon. Very little human activity happened in Cataract Canyon because of the remote location. In 1869 John Wesley Powell traveled from Green River, Wyoming to Virgin River, Nevada. Few river runners attempted the dangerous rapids of Cataract before the 1950's, when surplus rubber military rafts became available for much cheaper than the previous wooden boats.

Congress established Canyonlands National Park in 1964 after a long history of "potential" development in Cataract Canyon. Before 1921 the Colorado River was know as the Grand River. Congress changed the name under pressure from the state of Colorado in the Colorado Compact, which also designated water rights to the sates that border the Colorado River. The Rio Grande Railroad tried to make a railroad from Denver to Los Angeles following the Colorado River in 1889. In the early 1900's steamboats carried mining supplies, fruits, and cattle between the towns of Green River and Moab using the Colorado and Green rivers. There was also an attempted dam site at the Confluence in the early 1900's, however, the amount of sediment at this location made it nearly impossible to build.

Click here to see 2006 Cataract Canyon Launch Dates.

"Lor's knowledge of hang-gliders, calcium deposit pressure lines and hoodoos was very extensive." -John Helenek, August Cataract Canyon trip

Super Guide Highlight~ John Geiger

John is Sheri Griffith Expeditions' "geology whiz" and our "Super Guide" of the month. John has been with SGE for 3 years and guiding for 8. He holds a masters degree in Natural Resources from Utah State University. John's never ending knowledge of the southwest is surpassed only by his good humor and friendly smile.

John loves sharing his rafting, geology and history knowledge as well as his vast repertoire of jokes with everyone. John's favorite things about guiding for Sheri Griffith Expeditions are the variety of river stretches we run and the diverse geology throughout each stretch.

• Johns' Favorite River Meal: Fajitas
• Johns' Favorite Hike: Jones Hole in Lodore/Yampa
• John' Favorite River Stretch: Which ever one he is on.
• Why: They are all so amazing in there different ways.
• Nickname: Johnny G.

Quotes

"We just want to thank you all again for the absolutely wonderful time. I just can't stop thinking about all that we did and all that happened. It is hard to get back into the swing of things. Again, thanks to all from the Briese's, Vance, Bonnie, Amanda and Ashley.

Briese family ~ Septembers Cataract Canyon

"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