Cataract Canyon Returning Rapids Trip – 6 Days
Cataract Canyon is a place of unparalleled beauty and unprecedented transformation. Once inundated by the waters of the now-receding Lake Powell, this stretch of the Colorado River is reclaiming its wild, untamed character at a rate of change rarely seen in a river corridor. On this one-of-a-kind journey, join members of the Returning Rapids Project to explore, learn, and immerse yourself in the science of restoration as the Colorado River writes its newest chapter in this storied canyon.
Featuring
Mike DeHoff & Meg Flynn, The Returning Rapids Project
Mike DeHoff is a small business owner, welder, boat builder, and river runner in Moab, Utah. He is the principal investigator for the Returning Rapids Project.
Meg Flynn has been enjoying running rivers on the Colorado Plateau since 2004 and has lived in Moab, UT since 2006. In 2010, she began working for the Grand County Public Library in Moab. She later obtained a Master of Library and Information Science degree and now serves as the Assistant Director of the Grand County Public Library. Meg is also a member of the Returning Rapids Project team. As part of Returning Rapids, she combines her backgrounds in river running and libraries to follow the project’s curiosities, explore study areas, and pursue river history resources that help tell the story of Glen Canyon Dam’s ongoing impact on Cataract Canyon, Upper Glen Canyon, the San Juan River, and their tributaries.
Join Meg and Mike on a trip through Cataract to gain a deeper understanding of how the Colorado River is recovering from the effects of being inundated by Lake Powell Reservoir and Glen Canyon Dam. If you need to find hope in the face of climate change – these two believe some of it can be found in Cataract Canyon.
About This Trip
This unique Cataract Canyon trip focuses on the fascinating downstream stretch known as the Returning Rapids corridor—a region that was underwater for decades but now hosts a remarkable recovery of rapids, beaches, and ecosystems. Using historical maps and photos for reference, you’ll hike to key sites where researchers monitor the canyon’s transformation and learn about the changes happening. Along the way, take part in repeat photography to document the changing landscape, visit recovering side canyons, and discover how this stretch of river is regaining its former identity.
The first half of the adventure in the scenic flatwater stretches is largely motorized to help reach Cataract Canyon’s legendary 16-mile stretch of Class III-IV whitewater more quickly, followed by the Returning Rapids corridor, where we’ll take time for an in-depth exploration of the area. As you travel downstream, your guides—many of whom are also members of the Returning Rapids Project—will share their firsthand insights into the canyon’s evolving story. You’ll also experience emerging rapids, fast returning to their former glory, including the infamous Gypsum Rapid. Evenings will be spent relaxing on sandy beaches, enjoying delicious meals, and reflecting on the day’s discoveries under a brilliant canopy of stars. More than just your average river adventure, this is an opportunity to witness history unfolding and to learn from the river itself. By the time you return to Moab, you’ll have a deeper understanding of this dynamic landscape and the science driving its restoration, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for both the canyon’s history and its future.
Please note that guests must be at least 14 years old to participate in this trip.
