LODORE

The canyon of Lodore; named by Andrew Hall in 1869, who was reminded of the Robert Southey poem: “The Cataract of Lodore”. Here, the Green cuts through the red rock of the Uinta Mountains and the cliffs rise up to dramatic heights. So impressive is the entrance to the canyon that Hall’s traveling companion, Major John Wesley Powell, called it the very “Gates of Lodore”. Once through the gates the whitewater begins, and exciting rapids such as Disaster Falls and Hell’s Half Mile provide plenty of action.

But our visit to Lodore Canyon has many other attractions. We will hike at some intriguing side canyons with cool springs and lush green vegetation; we will visit overlooks that provide sweeping views of the river; and we will view ancient Native American rock art. Lodore Canyon itself ends where the Yampa River joins the Green at Echo Park, just over halfway on our journey. Our trips continue on past Steamboat Rock and into the beautiful Whirlpool Canyon, then on to Rainbow Park and Split Mountain Canyon where more rapids, such as Schoolboy, Moonshine, and S.O.B. ensure an exciting finish to the trip. 

Pre Trip Meeting We will meet at Dinosaur Inn the evening before our launch date to go over trip logistics and set us up for the following day. You will bring your kayaks and paddles to the pre-trip meeting to be loaded up and transported to the put-in by the guides. All rental bags or boats will be available to pack or outfit before the following morning.
Day 1 We will re-convene at the Split Mountain Boat Ramp in Dinosaur National Monument, your Lead Guide will give you directions and timing at the pre-trip meeting. We will load up and take a 3 hour bus ride into Colorado to our actual launching point at Gates of Lodore Campground in Dinosaur National Monument. Along the way we will stop for a restroom break and a last minute drink supply at a liquor store in Colorado. After a thorough safety briefing and trip orientation, we will launch around noon and float a few miles to our first night’s camp in the heart of the canyon.
Days 2 – 4 A typical day on the Yampa starts with coffee and a hearty breakfast before we pack our bags and suit up to go kayaking. We will float an average of 8-12 miles each day, stopping for lunch and a possible short hike. There are rapids every day and we will be scouting most of them. Camp will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, swimming or relaxing.
Day 5  An early morning prepares us for our longest day on the river as we float through Island and Rainbow Parks then run the many rapids of Split Mountain Canyon. We usually arrive at Split Mountain Boat Ramp around 3:00 on the last day.