The Mighty Colorado River...What an Expedition! So much to see and experience! The elements of a perfect adventure come together, making this a must for any adventure traveler. There’s whitewater, hiking and exploring, swimming, magnificent scenery, camaraderie with your fellow rafters or the peaceful solitude of a relaxing vacation. You can have it all! Cataract Canyon slices its way through the heart of majestic Canyonlands National Park. Prior to its designation as a National Park in 1964, Canyonlands and more specifically Cataract Canyon was a “no man's land”. Major John Wesley Powell explored the canyon and surrounding area in 1869 and gave Cataract its name. Only a handful of successful explorers had made the trip down Cataract Canyon before the first HATCH Expedition in 1932. Cataract Canyon is also a geology buff’s paradise! Strata dating back some 300 million years is exposed. Fossils are found in abundance in the Formosa and Hermosa formations. Indians of the Fremont and Anasazi cultures inhabited the area some 800 to 1300 years ago, leaving many clues to their lifestyles. The river environment of this area is truly the educational oasis playground of Canyonlands National Park.
| 
