UCCS Campus Recreation

Outdoor Program Trip Reports and Pictures

Fall 2008 - Whitewater Kayaking

Fall 2008 - Father Dyer Peak

 Fall 2008 - Pre-Semester Wilderness Trip

Fall 2008 - Rock Climbing

Spring 2008 - Ruby and Horsethief Canyon River Trip

 Spring Break 2008 - Backpacking in Utah

(Grand Gulch Primitive Area)

 Fall 2007 - Avalanche Awareness Clinic

Fall 2007- Labor Day Backpacking in the Sawatch Range

Fall 2007 - 14'er Hike - Quandary Peak (14,265 ft.)

 Spring Break 2007 - Rafting Desolation Canyon

The trip featured a 6 day, 84 mile route on the Green River starting just south of Vernal, UT and finishing just to the north of Green River, UT.  Along the way were rock walls towering 2,000 feet above the river, dozens of whitewater rapids rated from 1-6 (on a 1-10 scale), days where the headwinds were so strong we were blown back upstream, rain, cold temperatures and even snow.

Cooking Breakfast	Nothing better than huevos rancheros on the river!	Rafts loaded up and ready to go
Our new home for the next 6 days.	Early morning on launch day.	Greg gives the paddle talk.
Finally out on the water!	The river is a thread of life in the barren desert.	Lopsing leads the group on a side hike.
Climbing through a little canyon.	You definitely want to watch your step here.	View upstream from an overlook on top of the canyon.
View of old ranch land across the river.	View upstream from canyon overlook.	Back on the water.
Erici and Greg.	Lopsing/ B-Dawg/ P-Cakes/ B-$$	The river sweeps left deeper into the canyon.
	Rafts parked at the end of the day.	The last bit of afternoon sun on the canyon walls.
The kitchen.	Indian petroglyphs near camp.
		Rafts back on the river.
	Lots of hard work on the river.	The warm weather went away, and so did the smiles.
Brianne takes a turn at the oars.		The rock tower was dubbed "Lighthouse Rock" by John Wesley Powell and crew.
Choppy waters and storm clouds rolling in.	An old moonshiner's cabin, located near the mouth of Firewater Canyon.	Fresh spring on the wall behind the cabin.
Looking downstream from our beach camp as the day winds to a close.	After a cold, rainy day on the river a campfire and some hot chocolate warms the body and the soul.	After a cold, wet night snow bands were on the canyon walls.
Chilly and cloudy conditions had to be dealt with for a few days.	Ruins at Rock Creek Ranch.	Old ranch house with snowy cliffs in the background.
Checking the raft for breakfast supplies.	Brianne bundles up and does some rowing.	Blue skies, smiling at me.....
Still a little snow left on the upper walls.	More remnants of long gone ranching activity.	Abandoned attempt of mankind to control the desert.
Nice facilities, but no TP.	Along the river is a lodge that was abandoned in the 70's, and looks like it would be a good set for a horror movie.	Creepy lodge.  In the desert, no one can hear you scream.....
The river opens up as we move from Desolation to Gray Canyon.	The supply boat, rigged and ready.	The latest in spring river fashion: garbage bags!
Coal Creek Rapid (6)	Rock formation over Neterfiti Rapid.	Stroke, stroke, stroke....
Sunset on the last night on the river.