Green River, Utah – Crystal Springs to Spanish Bottom. 2003. There is not a riffle on the 180 km (113 mile) paddle. Nine of us camped for ten nights and hiked up gorgeous canyons.
Day 1. We loaded our boats, gear and 120 one-gallon jugs of water at Tex’s Waterways in Moab. They shuttled to the beginning at Cristal Geyser and from Spanish Bottom at the end of the adventure. As the trip is through Canyonlands National Park, permits and a porta-potty are required. I was lucky in my one-man kayak – the other 4 canoes had to lug all that water and the toilet.
Crystal Geyser – Mile 113. The geyser erupts irregularly. It went off as if on cue when we arrived. After Little Valley (108), civilization was left behind.
Camp 1 – Anvil Bottom (99)
Day 2. Bull Bottom Trail. Old stock trail 1/2 km on an old Indian route. Placer mining petroglyphs.
Camp 2 – Trin Alcove Bend (88). ET Wolverton inscription 1901. Three Canyon hike 7.8 km to end. Trin Alcove Bottom east side.
Day 3. F canyon is short, narrow and deep. Wolverton Canyon, River Register, Hey Joe Canyon, First Dennis Julien Inscription, Launch Margarite Inscription, Bowknot Bend and Ridge.
Camp 3 – Spring Canyon, Bowknot Bend.
Day 4. Two Mile Canyon hike to the Five Hole Arch at the top of the cliffs.
Angel Trail petroglyphs,
Camp 4 – Hell Roaring Canyon (54)
Day 5. Second Dennis Julien Inscription May 3, 1836,
Horsethief Canyon petroglyph and top hike.
Camp 5 – Anderson Bottom (30)
Maze District Canyonlands
Day 6. Petroglyphs in Cabin Bottom, Turk’s Head, Dead Horse Canyon
Camp 6 – Jasper Canyon
Day 7. Hike up Shot Canyon, and down Water Canyon.
Camp – Spanish Bottom
Day 8. Hike into Maze. Sweet Alice Canyon, Fins Trail.
Day 9. Confluence Overlook
Tex’s Waterways picked up a boat full – a raft, several kayaks and canoes. Drop off in their compound in Moab.