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Rafting the Dolores River

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Rafting on the Dolores River

A Beautiful and Exciting Trip

...in a steep narrow red rock canyon lush with pine
and fir trees; challenging, rocky rapids


One of the most remarkable river trips in the West. The Dolores River with headwaters in the San Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado, flows for over two hundred river miles before it joins the Colorado River near Dewey Bridge above Moab, UT. In 1776, a Franciscan, Silvestre Velez de Escalante christened the river "Rio de Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores" - River of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The river running season on the Dolores is short, usually 6-8 weeks and varies with snowpack each year.

These stretches are available for your custom trip planning - contact CFI with at least 30 days notice, fees to vary with starting location and if motel orientation/stay included pre trip.

Bradfield to Slickrock (starts 1 day upstream of Dove Creek) 2 nights
Challenging rocky whitewater
May, depending on water level
Class III-IV (adult or 12 years and older)

Slickrock to Bedrock, CO 4 nights
A perfect trip for the entire family
May, depending on water level
Class II water - Adult or 6 yrs and older

Gateway to Dewey Bridge 2 nights
Several famous class III and IV rapids
June, depending on water level
Class I-IV Adult or 12 years and older

OUR SCHEDULED OVERNIGHT TRIP

For adults or 12 years and older

We are thrilled to be able to explore the Dolores this year; our scheduled trip overnight trip runs from Dove Creek to to Slickrock Colorado which launches in the Ponderosa Pine forest and quickly drops into red rock desert; this stretch includes the infamous Class IV "Snaggletooth Rapid" and other active ClassI-III sections of whitewater as well as some lovely floating in geologically spectacular canyons.

Our trip features a small group and "learning" as well as adventure with our Naturalist-Guides. We meet at CFI headquarters in Moab at 8 am where you receive your river bags and pack for the overnight trip. We travel onto the launch point near Dove Creek and after orientation put on the river and enjoy fun whitewater right away. We use self bailing small oar powered rafts or if the group is large enough, we will include a paddle boat.

Learn about the diverse natural history, Indian prehistory and Anglo exploration of the Dolores country as well as "pre- and post" McPhee Dam water management and issues. Enjoy delicious meals and a comfortable river camp. Bring your own tent and sleeping bag or rent from CFI. We return to Moab by 6pm the last day.

Fee includes lunch day 1 through lunch the last day;minimum 6 people and maximum 16 people group size.

Don't miss this great opportunity!

(We can arrange this trip with 30 days notice as a custom trip for your group)

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