White Water Rafting in Dinosaur National Monument for Veterans, Service Members, and their Partners or Spouses!
From September 12th to the 15th, O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Sierra Club Outdoors, and The University of Utah are teaming up to provide 25 veterans, service members, and their partners or spouses an opportunity to explore the wild, amazing Green River out of Dinosaur National Monument from September 12th-15th free of charge as the perfect lead up to the Sierra Club and University of Utah’s, “This Land is Your Land: Toward a Better Understanding of Nature’s Resiliency-Building and Restorative Power for Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, and their families,” symposium September 17-20th at the University of Utah. This is also a great way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act!
Participants will need to arrive on their own in Vernal, Utah the evening of September 11th by 7 pm and arrange their own lodging for the evening of the 11th and the 15th. At least one van will leave Salt Lake City by 3 pm on the 11th to take participants to Vernal, Utah. This same shuttle will return to Salt Lake City early in the morning of the 16th.
Campsites and lodging are available in and near Vernal. If there is enough interest, we may try and reserve a group campsite.
You will be responsible for whatever gear is needed on the trip. On a limited basis, the Sierra Club or the University of Utah may be able to loan some gear (tents and sleeping bags) for your use.
More information on this amazing trip can be found below, or here.
If you are interested in applying for the trip, send an email with the subject line: ‘YOUR LAST NAME_FIRST NAME White Water’ to military.outdoors@sierraclub.org that includes the following information:
- Name
- Branch of service, rank, when and where you served (or are serving)
- Who, if anyone will be accompanying you and his or her relation to you
- Proof of service
- Outdoor Experience (none is required) and other veteran / service member trips you’ve been on
- Two sentences about why you want to go on the trip.
- Where you will be coming from and if you need help getting to Vernal
- Any physical or mental concerns you might have about your participation on the trip (we will aim to make this trip 100% adaptable to your needs)
We will let everyone know about their participation no later than August 10th, 2014.
Green River Rafting in Colorado: Gates of Lodore – Overview
Set aside as an American treasure in 1938 under the National Park Service, Dinosaur National Monument is an open-air archive of ancient Native American sites and far-out fossils unearthed by wind, water and time. Within the monument, the Green River rafting trip winds its way through three distinct canyons: Lodore, Whirlpool and Split Mountain all of which contain geological curiosities and rich human history. Lodore was the first major canyon encountered by John Wesley Powell and his men on their 1869 expedition. At its start, the river twists through a catacomb of scarlet slot canyons, yawning valleys and lush ledges of emerald evergreen and brush. Exploration is the mission of the day as the Green promises dozens of side hikes, relaxing nights on the beach and moderate whitewater perfect for young families and laid-back vacationers.
Green River Rafting: Itinerary at a Glance
- Scenic ride from Vernal, Utah to Dinosaur National Monument
- Raft through the towering Gates of Lodore
- Challenge some of the river’s most exciting and famous rapids like Upper and Lower Disaster Falls
- Hike up Winnie’s Grotto to beautiful oases and side canyons
- Sit back and soak in the remote splendor of Lodore – its soaring red rock cliffs sprinkled with deep green junipers and piñon pines
- Feast on delicious meals, relax on sandy beaches
- Charge rapids like Harp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hells Half Mile
- Hike to Rippling Brook -- the perfect place for a cooling shower
- View petroglyphs at the confluence with the Yampa River
- We pick up speed as we enter Split Mountain Canyon and the river’s gradient becomes considerably steeper. Four or five major rapids deliver plenty of whitewater excitement during our last day on the river
Shuttle from Split Mountain to Vernal