5 Days Solo Packrafting Canyonlands

[Desertratgal]

Last week I headed out on my most ambitious trip yet; solo packrafting Canyonlands.

I started my trip in Island in the Sky, working my way down Lathrop Trail. After reaching White Rim Road, I followed Lathrop Canyon Road to reach the Colorado River. That worked out to be around 11 miles.

Over the next 2 days I worked myself down the 30 miles of the Colorado River that leads to Spanish Bottom. Although the river was at high flow (~16,000 cfs), the days on the water were calm and peaceful. The only moment that was not peaceful was the only rapid on the river, "the slide". I was expecting class 1, but was I felt it was class 2+. It was the roughest water I'd taken my packraft through and it nearly flipped me, but I got through unscathed.

I camped at Spanish Bottom the next 2 nights. I met a few lizards and a harmless snake introduced itself to me while I was napping on a boulder. During my layover day at Spanish Bottom, I cached my gear and climbed out of the canyon and into the Maze district of Canyonlands. I wondered around, exploring Beehive Arch, the Granary, campsites, and 4X4 roads. I cannot wait to get deeper in the Maze, that area left me hungry for more.

The last day I started my morning early, packing up and crossing the river to Lower Red Lake Canyon. The campsite that usually connects with the trail was submerged with the water level, and I went through some rough bushwacking to make things work. After cleaning, drying, and packing my raft, it was time to begin the hike out. I took Lower Red Lake Canyon trail to Cyclone Canyon to the Confluence Trail. It was about 11 miles with a lot of fun scrambling towards the end. It felt incredible and empowering for the last few miles of my Canyonlands adventure to require scrambling around with my 40+ lb pack on.

I reached the Big Spring Canyon Overlook Trailhead where my amazing friends had shuttled my car for me, and a group of strangers congratulated me after asking about my trip. It was a really meaningful ending to my journey.

This trip was an absolute dream. I threw together a video from my trip capturing the visuals. Check it out if you're curious!

 

[futurafree]

That looks like a great trip! Hopefully, you can venture deeper into the Maze next time.
How were the bugs on the nights spent on the Colorado before Spanish Bottom?
I got excited watching the video when I saw the 3 Bean Chili Mac! I usually make my own meals, but lately I've been trying a few dehydrated prepackaged meals in situations without running water. I tried that meal a year ago and wasn't impressed, but after a particularly long hot desert day last week, I added a Sazon garlic/onion/cilantro seasoning pack and 1 oz of tahini to the 3 Bean Chili Mac. It might've been my most satisfying meal in over a year--on or off trail! The same company's Butternut Dal Bhat is perfect as is.

 

[Desertratgal]

That looks like a great trip! Hopefully, you can venture deeper into the Maze next time.
How were the bugs on the nights spent on the Colorado before Spanish Bottom?
I got excited watching the video when I saw the 3 Bean Chili Mac! I usually make my own meals, but lately I've been trying a few dehydrated prepackaged meals in situations without running water. I tried that meal a year ago and wasn't impressed, but after a particularly long hot desert day last week, I added a Sazon garlic/onion/cilantro seasoning pack and 1 oz of tahini to the 3 Bean Chili Mac. It might've been my most satisfying meal in over a year--on or off trail! The same company's Butternut Dal Bhat is perfect as is.

Thank you! I'm planning on returning in the fall, and hopefully I'll be able to work a night or 2 in the Maze in to my route.
Bugs were not an issue at all. A week before my trip, I went on a quick overnight packrafting trip close to home (an hour or 2 from the park) on the Colorado river and I was eaten alive by bugs. I was shocked to not be battling bugs along the river.
That's funny you say that about those meals, I feel the same exact way. The chili mac just didn't have much flavor to it, but the Dal Bhat was perfect. I may have to try your chili mac add-ons. The texture was there, it's just bland.

 

[ramblinman]

Great trip. It's so cool that you were able to visit all three districts of Canyonlands on one trip!

 

[Parma]

The Slide was actually a rapid for you? The higher water must have made that way more fun. When I did it it was just swift moving water, not even a Class I.