2014 Westwater rafting season starts

SNOTEL Reports Looking Good for the 2014 White Water Season!!!

SNOTEL is an automated system of snowpack sensors operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This system is one tool used to estimate what kind of the river runoff we can expect. SNOTEL sites report the current snowpack/moisture content expressed as a percentage of the average of the last five years for that date.

Unfortunately, the California Mountains have experienced a low snowpack so far this winter. Due to this lack of moisture and continuing drought conditions, the state of California has declared a state of drought emergency. It seems that their state will be relying heavily on its allotment of the Colorado River for water needs in 2014. This most likely means that they will allow more water to be released from the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams to help ease the lack of water.

The Colorado Plateau supplies the majority of the water in the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Gates of Lodore and Desolation Canyon on the Green River receive their water from the headwaters in the Wind River Range of southwestern Wyoming.  The runoff from these mountains is stored in and released from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Yampa River is a free flowing tributary joining the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument. The 2014 SNOTEL sites currently show that the Colorado River Basin is at 106% of average and the drainage for the Yampa River is at 107% of average, with the wettest months of winter still to come. Actual river runoff can change depending on total snowfall as well as how fast the runoff occurs. At this point we are very excited about the 2014 rafting season!


If you have any questions concerning flows of any of the rivers we run, please feel free to contact us at info@griffithexp.com or call toll free 1-800-332-2439 (Please ask for Jose or Brenda). We love to talk about the river and share our 43 years of experience to help make your river vacation a great one!!

Is this a vacation you want in 2014?

2014 Rafting Catalogs

The Sheri Griffith River Expeditions River Journeys catalog has just arrived in Moab. Filled with Lots of new photos, updated itineraries and great information.

BIG CHANGES TO DELIVERY OF THE CATALOG: After years of sending out thousands of brochures many of which were as returned as undeliverable or sent to the landfill, we have decided not to do a bulk mailing in 2014.  If you would like to receive a copy of our 2014 brochure, or impress your friends and family members, please call us at 800-332-2439 or email us at info@griffithexp.com.

We will even throw in a FREE DVD, Moab trip planner and a postcard that you can keep or mail to your friends!

Here are the best ways to get your copy:

• Email (info@griffithexp.com)

• Website (click here)

• Phone (800) 332-2439

• Mailing us (PO Box 1324 Moab UT 84532)

• Walk in and ask for one (2231 South Highway 191 Moab Utah 84532)

• Telegraph (nearest Western Union)

• Secret handshake. (Well it is secret for a reason)

Waterfalls and rainbows?

The monsoon season of late July and early August in Utah can create some of the best photo opportunities.

Short days, colder nights and even some snow on the mountains...must be October in Moab.  We've been busy cleaning, repairing and putting away the rafting equipment here at Sheri Griffith Expeditions, but we have found some time to get out and play, too.  We still have beautiful weather for spending time on the water, in the canyons and on the golf course. 

Brenda took some time to explore Cataract Canyon, launching on the evening of September 30th so that she could beat the "shutdown".  She explored some side canyons and was excited to show us the pictures of the arrowhead she found (and left) there.

Kristl took her family and friends for a "Ducky Day" on the Daily Stretch of the Colorado River and had lots of fun playing in the sand and building sand castles with her kids.

Arlo took some time to kayak on the Colorado River for a day away from the computer and brochure planning.

Jose has taken some great hikes to area petroglyphs, and is planning some more fun excursions with his family.

Marshall and Nicole took their family on a Labyrinth Canyon excursion.

Rich took his family down Cataract Canyon.

Aaron hiked into Cataract Canyon and then rafted down from the Confluence.

Izzy is planning a Cataract Canyon or Labyrinth Canyon trip for next week.

Max and Tabitha have spent time in Pennsylvania with Tabitha's family, and are planning a trip to Costa Rica in November.

Stephanie is traveling abroad, visiting Italy, Sri Lanka and other destinations.



One activity that Brenda, Rich, Sara Jane and Christian are going to participate in this weekend is the Moab Regional Hospital Charity Golf Tournament.  The proceeds from the tournament benefit the hospital's Digital Mamography Services. Brenda's team may not be the best on the course, but they'll probably have the most fun!

Name this Rapid!

Here is a hint...It is Cataract Canyon week.

Watch a video of Westwater Canyons Rapids as if you are the guide. And in Fast Forward. This is from our first Westwater Canyon trip of the 2013 season.