Trip Report: Desolation/Gray Canyon White Water Trip - Plus Mike and Madison got Married!
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Desolation/Gray Canyon White Water Trip - Plus Mike and Madison got Married! By Mike Rush |
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| BOATING | 09/17/2025 | Class II+ |
| Trip Summary Over six days, our group of eight paddled 84.1 miles down the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyon. With a strong team, steady current, clear skies, and some unforgettable experiences-including a riverbank wedding!-this was a classic WMC-style adventure filled with beauty, camaraderie, and exploration. Participants Mike, Madison, Chris, Parker, Angel, Luke, Jen, Eric. Daily Itinerary Day 1 - Thursday Start: Mile 96 @ 10:30 AM End: Camped at Turtle #1 (Mile 76.4) around 6:00 PM Miles: 19.6 Warm weather and smooth paddling made for a strong first day. Everyone settled into the river rhythm. Miles remaining: 64.5 Day 2 - Friday Start: Mile 76.4 @ 9:33 AM Lunch: Mushroom Rock (Mile 68.8) @ 12:30 PM End: Below Cedar Ridge #1 (Mile 65.5) @ 2:30 PM Miles: 10.9 Scenic float with mild riffles and warm sun. A relaxed pace and plenty of time to enjoy the views. Miles remaining: 53.6 Day 3 - Saturday Start: 9:30 AM Lunch Stop: Rock Creek & Petroglyphs Camp: Mile 50 @ 4:30 PM Miles: 15.5 Visiting the petroglyphs at Rock Creek was a highlight-deep history carved into sandstone. Miles remaining: 38.1 Day 4 - Sunday Start: Three Canyon (Mile 50) @ 9:03 AM Scout: Joe Hutch Canyon @ 12:00 PM Lunch: After scouting, on river Camp: Above Wire Fence (Mile 37.1) @ 2:30 PM Miles: 12.5 Joe Hutch Canyon provided some excitement-rapids required scouting and solid team communication. Miles remaining: 25.2 Day 5 - Monday Start: Above Wire Fence (Mile 37.1) @ 8:57 AM Lunch: Below Coal Creek (Mile 25.8) @ 12:30 PM Camp: Rattlesnake Camp (Mile 22) @ 2:30 PM Miles: 15.1 An action-packed day with several rapids. We made good time and found an ideal camp. Miles remaining: 10.1 Day 6 - Tuesday Start: Rattlesnake Camp (Mile 22) @ 8:15 AM Take-out: Swasey's Boat Ramp (Mile 11.9) @ 11:00 AM Packed Up: 12:30 PM Groover Cleaned: Green River State Park @ 1:30 PM Miles: 10.1 An emotional and memorable finale: Mike and Madison held a small wedding ceremony in the morning, exchanging handmade willow rings as a symbol of their love and commitment. Trip complete! Trip Highlights Petroglyphs at Rock Creek: A special cultural and historical stop, offering perspective and reverence. Joe Hutch Canyon Scouting: A technical section that pushed us to work together and sharpen our paddling awareness. Wedding on the Water: On Day 6, Mike and Madison shared vows in a private ceremony on the riverbank-an unforgettable moment shared with friends. Campsites: All well-selected, with shade, scenery, and space. Rattlesnake Camp was particularly peaceful. Weather: Mostly clear skies and moderate temperatures. River levels were ideal for multi-day boating. Lessons Learned Allow buffer time for scouting key rapids like Joe Hutch Canyon. Coordinated gear management and meal planning makes a big difference-our group worked well together. Don't underestimate the emotional value of sharing life milestones on a trip like this-everyone left with more than just river miles. Recommendations for Future Trips Combine history and nature by stopping at cultural sites like Rock Creek. Alternate longer and shorter paddling days to maintain group energy. Start early to beat the heat, and build in time for spontaneous exploration or downtime. Final Thoughts Desolation and Gray Canyon lived up to their name-remote, beautiful, humbling. But this trip was far from desolate in spirit. With good friends, flowing water, no bugs, not cursed form the wind gods with a tail wind and a riverside wedding to cap it all off, this was a classic Wasatch Mountain Club journey: meaningful, memorable, and full of life. Here's to the next river bend! |
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