Dolores River: 5 Days/ 4… (trip)

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Dolores River: 5 Days/ 4 Nights

  • Dolores River, CO, United States
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
Colorado, United States

To check availability or book,
contact Sheri Griffith River Expeditions:

Period offered: Year-round. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $975* per person5 DaysYear-round
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Sheri Griffith River Expeditions 12 people max
The Dolores River begins in the deeply forested Rocky Mountains and flows down into steep canyons of flame-red rock. The Dolores is a classic western river: unspoiled with a majestic desert backdrop. The contrast of colors in Dolores Canyon is stunning: the deep green of the Ponderosa Pines growing beneath sheer sandstone cliffs of burnt orange hue. Pinion pine, juniper and Douglas Fir also populate the canyon.

Water levels are dependent on the releases from the McPhee reservoir dam, and are usually only run-able until early June during a normal water year. The whitewater in the beginning of this section is mild-mannered with mellow Class II rapids. Downstream, the rapids get decidedly more rowdy, climaxing with the quarter-mile long Snaggletooth rapid-a steep, boulder-strewn cascade rated at Class IV.

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Locations visited/nearby

Colorado, United States

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

This trip runs through two stunning canyons: Dolores Canyon and Slickrock Canyon. Dolores Canyon has the greater number of large rapids, and is an alpine area, with many beautiful pine trees, some growing as tall as the canyon walls. There are side hikes to ancient granaries, and many beautiful side canyons to explore.

Slickrock Canyon does not have as many rapids but makes up for it in its sheer beauty. This is the deepest canyon on the Dolores River and is classified a "Wild and Scenic" area. The sandstone canyon walls rise an immense 1,200 feet above the river. Side hikes to Native American rock art sites and fossilized dinosaur prints are second only to the geological formations revealed in the canyon layers.

More information from Sheri Griffith River Expeditions: