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RAINBOW BRIDGE
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The Colorado River was high this year, due to a late spring snowmelt in Utah and Colorado. During the week I chose for a river trip with my daughter, the water flow was at 30,000 cfs. Our guides from Canyonlands Field Institute (Moab, UT) assured us that although the level was high, the trip was still doable. In fact, some of the famous stretches of rapids turned out to be what they call "washed out," which just means that the rocks that often snag rafts were hidden under tons of brown, boiling water. There were still sections with waves and troughs in every direction, giving us an exciting ride as we passengers shifted to the "high side" of the boat, riding up and over the tops of the waves. Well equipped with wet suits, life jackets, and plenty of pre-trip safety instructions, we rode through rapids with names like Skull and Sock It To Me with whoops and hollers of delight.
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We camped at the river's edge for one night, which just happened to be Solstice eve. The sandstone walls echoed the rush of the river as we ate delicious meals cooked by the staff members, and participated in some environmentally-conscious camp activities. We felt well-prepared for the rapids, and also learned how to spot unique wildlife, historic artifacts, and geological features whenever the river slowed down and we could look beyond the next set of waves. While this trip could be done in one day, taking two days and staying overnight provided plenty of time to savor the experience. A great introduction to the Colorado River!
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