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!!

Cataract Canyon...Now with New Rapids!

September’s record breaking rains and the shrinking of Lake Powell have combined to form some new rapids in Cataract Canyon. For about 10 years, Lake Powell has been at record lows. These low lake levels have allowed the Mighty Colorado River to reclaim some of its former rapids. This has given us the chance to run 5 “new” rapids including the very fun and almost mile long rapid of Water Hole.

Our operations manager, Brenda, was able to squeeze in a Cataract Canyon trip before the government shutdown during the last week of September, and she reported lots of new debris flows from the recent rains.


One of these mudslides created a brand new rapid! Here is Brenda’s description of the new unnamed rapid: “A brand new rockslide has come from the right-side of the canyon to narrow the channel below Water Hole Canyon. At the low water level I ran it at it is was not huge maybe a class 3. The start of the rapid has a classic “V” into some fun splashy waves. If you break through the “V” to the left there is a runnable hole. The hole is little smaller than the Little Delores hole on Westwater Canyon. This should be a really fun rapid at higher flows.

YEAH new RAPIDS!"

New Gates of Lodore date for 2014

The Gates of Lodore on the Green River is one of the most popular trips Sheri Griffith River Expeditions runs.  We have just added July 7th date to our 2014 Calendar. This means we have launches on June 8, 14, 19 and July 31.

This trip combines all the elements of a classic whitewater river trip: great hikes, exciting whitewater, beautiful beaches and colorful history. Take a journey into a spectacular wilderness.

Because we have so few trips through Gates of Lodore almost all our dates sellout quickly. Book your trip now!

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!

Cataract Canyon...Now with NEW RAPIDS!

September’s record breaking rains and the shrinking of Lake Powell have combined to form some new rapids in Cataract Canyon. For about 10 years, Lake Powell has been at record lows. These low lake levels have allowed the Mighty Colorado River to reclaim some of its former rapids. This has given us the chance to run 5 “new” rapids including the very fun and almost mile long rapid of Water Hole.

Our Operations Manager, Brenda, was able to squeeze in a trip last week before the government shut down. She reported lots of new debris flows from the recent rains.

One of these mudslides created a brand new rapid! Here is Brenda’s description of the new unnamed rapid: “A brand new rockslide has come from the right-side of the canyon to narrow the channel below Water Hole Canyon. At the low water level I ran it at it is was not huge maybe a class 3. The start of the rapid has a classic “V” into some fun splashy waves. If you break through the “V” to the left there is a runnable hole. The hole is little smaller than the Little Delores hole on Westwater Canyon. This should be a really fun rapid at higher flows. YEAH new Rapids!”

“Indiana Jones would be jealous”
Read the review on TripAdvisor about one of recent guests trip down Westwater Canyon.

Name this Rapid!

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

The Yampa River, located in the heart of the Dinosaur National Monument on the Eastern end of the Uinta Mountain Range.

Geology
The geology of the Yampa Canyon begins with layers of sandstones, limestones and shales, giving the viewer a unique "look back" at the rising and dropping of an ancient sea. As you travel further into the canyon the sheer walls of the Weber Sandstone become predominant. As the river winds its way through a maze of walls sculpted by windblown sand, walls, such as the 1,000' high Grand Overhang and the stripes of the Tiger Wall will leave the viewer in awe.

Once you leave the Yampa Canyon and join the Green River, entering into Echo Park, the Mitten Park Fault will blow the viewer away. Just after Mitten Park the river enters into Whirlpool Canyon the billion-year-old Uinta Mountain Group formation and the Unique Sea Stacks enter into the geologic picture. Following a leisurely float through Island Park and the Morrison Formation (where dinosaur bones are found), the river makes a dramatic cut right through the Split Mountain Anticline.

More Information on the Yampa River Rafting History.

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.