John Wesley Powell Retrace

The evening before your trip, we’ll meet for a pre-trip orientation in Vernal, UT. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and trip leader, and ask any last-minute questions.

We begin our trip with a shuttle ride from Vernal to our put-in at Sand Wash, getting to know some of the folks who have joined for the full John Wesley Powell Retrace Trip and started their journey at Flaming Gorge. Once we arrive at the river’s edge, we’ll meet the other guides on the trip and receive a safety talk. 

The trip begins on a calm stretch of the Green River. Depending on water levels, we may use the motor assist today as we have many river miles to cover before reaching camp. This is the perfect opportunity to take in the gorgeous canyon scenery and become acclimated to your boats, guides, and fellow travelers.

At lunchtime, we pull over to enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach, we get back in our boats and watch the desert panoramas slowly develop as we continue downstream.

By late afternoon, we’ll stop to make camp. You’ll grab your bags and set up your tent while the guides take care of the kitchen and “living room”—camp chairs and possibly the night’s campfire (if permitted). Before long, you’ll be savoring pleasing hors d’oeuvres and the beverage of your choice. This is the perfect time for you to lounge on the beach with that book you’ve wanted to finish forever, nap, take an exploratory hike, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as we prepare dinner.

After a satisfying meal, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories, or jokes will bring us together tonight; maybe the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river, and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.

Your days begin as the morning light paints the canyon walls with brilliant shades of desert colors. Fresh coffee and tea are waiting for you when you get up; grab a cup, sit back, and take in the glory of the awakening river. Soon breakfast is served, and once you’ve eaten your fill, you’ll pack up your things as the guides break down camp. 

This portion of the river was home to the ancient Fremont-era peoples. Throughout our journey, we may stop to see thousand-year-old structures or intriguing petroglyphs.

After thrilling rapids, we stop for a hike. Outlaw history abounds in this remote part of the Green River, and we may even check out an abandoned ranch where Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch spent their evenings. We encounter 90 million years of geologic time as we float through this deep canyon.

The whitewater increases with each passing day through the canyon. Through this section of the river, you’ll encounter 50 Class II-III rapids, including Cow Swim, Three Fords, and Coal Creek, to name a few.

“Just here we emerge from the Canyon of Desolation, as we have named it, into a more open country, which extends for nearly a mile, when we enter another canyon cut through gray sandstone.” J.W.Powell

We begin our final leg of the trip as we enter the red rock wonders of Labyrinth Canyon and Stillwater Canyon. We may explore many magnificent gorges such as Three Canyon, hike up to the River Post Office, or discover the secrets hidden in Two Mile Canyon, Fort Bottom, Shot, or Water Canyon. We might stop to hike to ancient granaries, thousand-year-old structures, and intriguing petroglyphs or the inscription of Denis Julien, an explorer who traversed this area even before Powell and his crew.

“There is an exquisite charm in our ride down the beautiful canyon. We are all in fine spirits. Now and then we whistle or shout or discharge a pistol, to listen to the reverberations among the cliffs. We name this Labyrinth Canyon.” J.W. Powell, July 15th, 1869

After the Green winds us through convoluted twists and turns, we happily reach the confluence of the Colorado River. 

“Late in the afternoon the water becomes swift; an hour brings us to the junction of the Grand and Green. These streams unite in solemn depths, more than 1200 feet below the general surface of the country.” J.W. Powell, July 17, 1869

Next up are the legendary rapids of Cataract Canyon, like Mile Long, Capsize, and the Big Drops – this section offers plenty of excitement. Whatever the water level or the type of boat you’re in, the rushes of adrenaline with each new rapid are balanced by the knowledge of your guides’ experience.

“On starting we come at once to difficult rapids and falls, that in many places are more abrupt than in any of the canyons through which we have passed, and we decide to name this Cataract Canyon.” J.W. Powell, July 23, 1869

On the last day, Cataract Canyon ends as we reach the old location of Hite Settlement which was flooded by Lake Powell. As we journey out on the reservoir toward our take-out at Hite Crossing, it’s tough not to imagine the wonders drowned below us. What more could Glen Canyon have shown us! The bittersweet ending is now here. Thankfully, the scenic flight back to Vernal grants us a bit of time to reflect on our days retracing John Wesley Powell’s epic journey.

The evening before your trip, we’ll meet for a pre-trip orientation in Vernal, UT. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and trip leader, and ask any last-minute questions.

We begin our trip with a scenic drive from Vernal to our put-in below the Flaming Gorge Dam, where the boats and the rest of the OARS crew await. After a detailed safety talk, our journey begins.

“Today we have an exciting ride, and make almost railroad speed. Here and there the water rushes into a narrow gorge; rocks roll it into great waves, and the boats go leaping and bounding like things of life.” J.W. Powell, June 1, 1869

The first day is full of fun whitewater, including Anticipation Rapid, Roller Coaster Rapid, and Mother-in-Law Rapid. The splashy, crystal-clear waters of the Green River carry us into the heart of Ashley National Forest.

Our first day sets the pace for the rest of our days on the river. Typically, we spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a great hike or a refreshing swim.

At lunchtime, we pull over to a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach (or perhaps a game of Frisbee or horseshoes), we get back in our boats and watch the desert panoramas slowly develop in-between bursts of thrilling whitewater.

Mid- to late afternoon, we stop and make camp. You grab your bags and set up your tent while the guides take care of the kitchen and “living room”­—camp chairs and the site for tonight’s campfire (if permitted). Before long, you’ll be savoring pleasing hors d’oeuvres and the beverage of your choice—delicious as these refreshments are, they always taste better after a day on the river! This is the perfect time for you to lounge on the beach with that book you’ve wanted to finish, nap, take an exploratory hike, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as the guides prepare dinner.

After a satisfying meal, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories, or jokes will bring us together tonight; maybe the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river, and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.

Your days begin with the morning light illuminating the canyon walls with a warm glow. Fresh coffee and tea are waiting for you when you get up; grab a cup, sit back, and take in the glory of the awakening river. Soon breakfast is served, and once you’ve eaten your fill, you’ll pack up your things as the guides break down camp.

Continuing downstream, we’ll see red rock canyon walls of the Uinta formation that date back a billion years to some of the oldest sedimentary rock. Once through Flaming Gorge, swift currents carry us through Swallow Canyon and into Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge.

We’ll stop to spend time at the world-famous Jarvie Ranch, a BLM-restored historic site offering visitors a glimpse into turn-of-the-century pioneer life along this stretch of the Green River.

“Brown’s Park is a valley, bounded on either side by a mountain range, really an expansion of the canyon.” J.W. Powell, June 1869

During the evening, we’ll camp among lodgepole pines and junipers. If our guides don’t arrange a hike, you may want to enjoy a self-guided walk, or perhaps you’d rather just relax and wait for dinner—always a trip highlight, as the day’s adventures stir up a hearty appetite. After our meal, the group dynamic of our trip is at its best as we gather around the campfire for nighttime conversation and laughter.

Entering Dinosaur National Monument and Gates of Lodore, we start with a bang as we challenge more exciting rapids: Winnie’s Rapid, Upper, and Lower Disaster Falls. Here, Major Powell lost one of his boats and innumerable provisions during his 1869 journey—hence the rapids’ ominous name.

“As Ashley and his party were wrecked here, and as we have lost one of our boats, we adopt the name Disaster Falls for the scene of so much peril and loss.” J.W. Powell, June 12, 1869

Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell’s Half Mile are a few other rapids that provide big thrills. Several smaller waves and riffles keep us busy, yet there are enough calm sections to allow us time to sit back and soak in the remote splendor of Lodore, with its soaring red rock cliffs sprinkled with deep green junipers and pinyon pines.

An exciting hike awaits us at Rippling Brook. Our path along this small creek leads through a spectacular side canyon to a pure, spring-fed waterfall — the perfect place for a cooling shower.

We will pass the confluence with the Yampa River as we wind around gigantic Steamboat Rock and into Echo Park. Here we may stop to visit some intriguing Fremont petroglyphs near the side of the river, or perhaps we will hike to Whispering Cave, passing magnificent sandstone formations along the way.

As we descend further into the canyon, we travel through some of the oldest exposed rock in the Southwest and have the rare opportunity to see impressive cliffs where each layer represents a different stage of the earth’s development. Hundreds of millions of years of geological formation are displayed in the walls around us.

After passing through Whirlpool Canyon, we might hike along beautiful Jones Hole Creek to amazingly well-preserved panels of prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs.

“The river meanders through the park, interrupted by many wooded islands; so I name it Island Park, and call the canyon above Whirlpool Canyon.” J.W. Powell June 22, 1869

After a bit of flat water, we pick up speed and enter Split Mountain Canyon, where the river’s gradient becomes considerably steeper. Four major rapids deliver plenty of whitewater excitement before reaching the take-out at Split Mountain Campground.

We’ll hop on a shuttle that will take us to the Dinosaur Inn & Suites, where we will check into our accommodations for the night. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax, grab dinner or explore Vernal and the surrounding area on your own.

After a delicious continental breakfast, we’ll meet our shuttle at the front of the hotel and head to the put-in at Sand Wash.

Welcome to Desolation Canyon! This portion of the river was home to the ancient Fremont Indians. Throughout our journey, we may stop to see thousand-year-old structures or intriguing petroglyphs.

After thrilling rapids, we may stop for a hike. Outlaw history abounds in this remote part of the Green River, and we may even check out an abandoned ranch where Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch spent their evenings.

At points, Desolation Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon at the Bright Angel Trail, and the canyon walls will soar up to the sky above us as we encounter 90 million years of geologic time.

The whitewater increases with each passing day through the canyon. Through this section of the river, you will encounter 50 Class II-III rapids, including Cow Swim, Three Fords, and Coal Creek, to name a few.

“Just here we emerge from the Canyon of Desolation, as we have named it, into a more open country, which extends for nearly a mile, when we enter another canyon cut through gray sandstone.” J.W.Powell

We begin our final leg of the trip as we enter the red rock wonders of Labyrinth Canyon and Stillwater Canyon. We may explore many magnificent gorges such as Three Canyon, hike up to the River Post Office, or discover the secrets hidden in Two Mile Canyon, Fort Bottom, Shot, or Water Canyon. We might stop to hike to ancient granaries, thousand-year-old structures, and intriguing petroglyphs or the inscription of Denis Julien, an explorer who traversed this area even before Powell and his crew.

“There is an exquisite charm in our ride down the beautiful canyon. We are all in fine spirits. Now and then we whistle or shout or discharge a pistol, to listen to the reverberations among the cliffs. We name this Labyrinth Canyon.” J.W. Powell, July 15th, 1869

After the Green winds us through convoluted twists and turns, we happily reach the confluence of the Colorado River. 

“Late in the afternoon the water becomes swift; an hour brings us to the junction of the Grand and Green. These streams unite in solemn depths, more than 1200 feet below the general surface of the country.” J.W. Powell, July 17, 1869

Next up are the legendary rapids of Cataract Canyon, like Mile Long, Capsize, and the Big Drops – this section offers plenty of excitement. Whatever the water level or the type of boat you’re in, the rushes of adrenaline with each new rapid are balanced by the knowledge of your guides’ experience.

“On starting we come at once to difficult rapids and falls, that in many places are more abrupt than in any of the canyons through which we have passed, and we decide to name this Cataract Canyon.” J.W. Powell, July 23, 1869

On the last day, Cataract Canyon ends as we reach the old location of Hite, which was flooded by Lake Powell. As we journey out on the reservoir toward Hite Crossing, it’s tough not to imagine the wonders drowned below us. What more Glen Canyon could have shown us! The bittersweet ending is now here. Thankfully, the scenic flight back to Vernal grants us a bit of time to reflect on our days retracing John Wesley Powell’s epic journey.