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One of the advantages of a bike/river trip is the flexibility of the
daily itinerary. It can vary widely from one trip to the next based on
group desires, Mother Nature, and courtesy for other groups in the area.
This typical itinerary illustrates a bike trip through the Island in
the Sky District and raft trip through Cataract Canyon using the Green
River's Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons. Because of changes in the river's
speed the White Rim/Cataract trip varies slightly with the time of season
that you go. The May trips usually meet up with the rafts in mid to late
afternoon of the third day out. The September trips will meet up with
the rafts prior to lunch on the third day.
| Day 1 |
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Meet group at headquarters in Green River,
Utah. A two-hour van ride to the head of the Shafer Trail marks the
start of the trip. The first day's ride will take the group down the
switchbacks of the Shafer trail before cutting back south towards
Musselman Arch. The trail continues to wind southward as it follows
the meandering course of the Colorado River. Camp on this evening
is made at or near Gooseberry Canyon. |
| Day 2 |
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Our ride will take us over
undulating roads past the white, sandstone-capped monoliths of Monument
and Twin basins. Then in the afternoon up to Murphy's Hogback, the
first of this trips' two challenging uphill stretches. After conquering
the hill we will set camp for the night. |
| Day 3 |
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By the morning of this day the trail has
turned back north and is following the contours of the Green River.
We ride around the labyrinths of Soda Springs Basin and by Candlestick
Tower before reaching Beaver bottom where the rafts are waiting. |
| Day 4 |
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The river's smooth current transports
our rafts to stops at Valentine Bottom or Turks Head where we will
observe prehistoric Indian ruins and petroglyphs. Quiet beaches, hidden
canyons, and refreshing water fights are common through this section
of the trip. |
| Day 5 |
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We reach the confluence of the Colorado
and Green Rivers. The Ute Indians believed the Confluence to be the
center of the universe, and some people still do. Just below the meeting
of these two rivers enjoy a view of the Doll House, an appropriately
named collection of free standing, sandstone columns. |
| Day 6 |
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Possible early morning hike into Doll
House. Ascend steeply to the canyon rim in the Maze District with
red rock formations. After descending to the river, the rapids of
Cataract Canyon await. The climax: Big Drop Rapids with Little Niagara
and Satan's Gut. |
| Day 7 |
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Lunch at Rock Canyon and a trip across
Lake Powell with the aid of motorboat "Hayduke" brings you to Hite
Marina and the end of the trip. A two-hour drive brings you back to
Green River. |
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