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970-255-7377 |
   
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Trips
& Maps |
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The Colorado and Gunnison Rivers offer great fun for novice and
experienced paddlers.
Click the pictures for
larger views. Use your browser's back button to return to this
page.
Riffles usually occur in a wide shallow section of river which
might look like a small rapid because of the undulations on the surface
water. But in fact it's just a very shallow section going over
some river
rocks.
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Flowing gently out of the
Great Rocky Mountains, the historic Colorado and Gunnison Rivers
converge at the edge of Grand Junction. The city derives its name from
this confluence. In the area there are more than 75 miles of river
to explore on scenic and refreshing one-day trips. We also offer two-
and three-day trips.
The Colorado and Gunnison Rivers are very similar in nature as they flow
through this area.
They run for 10 months a
year (JulyApril) between 1,000 and 1,500 cubic feet per second (CFS),
perfect Class I & II water for the novice.
Spring snowmelt usually
begins in early May bringing peak flows of 8,000 to 10,000 CFS on each
river by the end of May, and tapering off gradually into June. During
Spring runoff novices may boat on these waters but must be extra
cautious. Our inflatable watercraft are recommended.
Tubing is excellent in July
and August when water temperatures reach into the 70s.
Wildlife is abundant along
these scenic, high desert river corridors.
The trips offered by
Catfish Canoe Co., LLC are listed below. You will notice that we have
shown a range of times for each trip. Please remember that when you
rent from us you rent for the day, and may take as long as you
wish, but these times are your average paddle or float
times.
WARNING!! Rivers are
constantly changing!
Water levels fluctuate. Channels,
rapids, debris and entire islands are forever appearing and
disappearing. Consequently, it is VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE to
offer a map that is completely and entirely accurate. If you are
planning a trip and are unsure of the current conditions, please contact
us or someone else who is knowledgeable about the local rivers.
Catfish Canoe Co., LLC will not be held responsible for injuries or
losses due to inaccuracies or omissions on these maps.
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Class I Rapids consist of small waves (8" to 12") with clear
passages that require little or no maneuvering.
Click the pictures for
larger views. Use your browser's back button to return to this
page.
Class II Rapids feature waves 12" to 24" high, and may require minor
maneuvering.
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Trips
On the Colorado River |
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Palisade to
Corn Lake
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Trip times: |
--Views of Mt. Garfield, the Book Cliffs, and Grand Mesa
--Shorter trip, nice half day
--Easily visible Blue Heron Rookery in spring
through early summer
Click
HERE for a printable map of this trip. |
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Canoe/kayak, 1.5 - 3 hours |
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Raft, Tube 3 - 4 hours |
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Distance: |
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6.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids, one Class II
rapid |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 15 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 10 minutes |
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Click pictures
below for larger views. Use your browser's back button to return to this
page.
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Corn
Lake to Blue Heron
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Trip times: |
 --Closest, most convenient put-in (4
miles)
--Fair amount of public lands on right bank
--Confluence with the Gunnison River at mile 6.5
--Blue Heron Rookery visible with baby chicks May-July
--nice all-day trip except during spring runoff
Click
HERE for a printable map of this trip.
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Canoe/kayak, 2 4 hours |
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Raft, Tube 4 6 hours |
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Distance: |
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10.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 10 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 15 minutes |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use
your browser's back button to return to this page.
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Blue Heron
to Fruita/Loma |
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Trip times: (to Loma add 1 hour) |
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Canoe/kayak, 3 4 hours |
--views of Colorado National Monument
--more water since this stretch is downriver from
the confluence with the Gunnison
--numerous groups of islands to negotiate
--trip to Fruita easily extended for an extra hour
to Loma
Click
HERE
for a printable map of this trip. |
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Raft, Tube 4 6 hours |
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Distance: |
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9 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 15 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 30 minutes |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your
browser's back button to return to this page.
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Fruita/Loma
to Westwater (2 days) |
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Trip times: (from Fruita
add 1 hour) |
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Canoe/kayak, 7 9 hours |
--most remote section of Colorado River in
the area
--waters flow through 800 1,000 foot deep Ruby
& Horsethief Canyons
--flows through a large tract of BLM land
--many camping possibilities including the ever
popular Black Rocks area |
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Raft 8 10 hours |
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Distance: |
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25 miles (from Fruita
30 miles) |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids, one Class II
rapid |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 30 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 1 hour |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your
browser's back button to return to this page.
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On the Gunnison River |
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Whitewater
to Redlands Dam
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Trip times: |
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Canoe/kayak, 4 5 hours |
--longest day trip close to town
--through large tract of BLM land
--more remote than other day trips offered
--camping a possibility
--300 ft cliffs through the Bluffs of the Gunnison area
Click
HERE for a printable map of this trip. |
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Raft, tube 5 6 hours |
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Distance: |
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12.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids, one Class II
rapid |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 15 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 15 minutes |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your
browser's back button to return to this page.
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Escalante
Bridge to Bridgeport |
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Trip times: |
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Canoe/kayak, 3 5 hours |
--most scenic day trip in the area
--travels through 800-1,000 ft. canyons
--provides access to beautiful and historic Dominquez
Canyon
Click
HERE for a printable map of this trip.
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Raft, tube 4 6 hours |
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Distance: |
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13.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids, three Class
II rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 50 minutes |
Take-out to headquarters: 30 minutes
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your browser's back button to
return to this page.
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Bridgeport
to Whitewater |
Trip times: |
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Canoe/kayak, 3 5 hours |
--scenic trip through remote 800 ft.
canyons
--nice campsite 2 miles from put-in away from railroad tracksClick
HERE for a printable map of this trip. |
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Raft, tube 4 6 hours |
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Distance: |
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13 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 30 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 15 minutes |
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Escalante
Bridge to Whitewater (2 days) |
Trip times: |
 --most popular 2-day trip on this stretch
of the Gunnison River
--travels through 800 1,000 ft. canyons
--provides access to beautiful and historic
Dominquez Canyon. Several easily
accessible campsites at the mouth of this
canyon or beyond Bridgeport at Tunnel Point
Click
HERE for a printable map of Day One of this trip.
Click
HERE for a printable map of Day Two of this trip.
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Canoe/kayak, 7 9 hours |
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Raft 8 10 hours |
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Distance: |
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26.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids, three Class
II rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 50 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 15 minutes |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your browser's back button to
return to this page.
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The Gunnison & Colorado Rivers |
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Redlands
Dam to Blue Heron
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Trip times: |
 --shorter trip, nice half day
--experience two rivers (Gunnison & Colorado) on the same
trip
Click
HERE for a printable map of this trip. |
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Canoe/kayak, 2 3 hours |
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Raft, tube 3 - 4 hours |
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Distance: |
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6.5 miles |
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Difficulty: |
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riffles, Class I rapids |
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Shuttle times: |
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Headquarters to put-in: 15 minutes |
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Take-out to headquarters: 15 minutes |
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Click pictures below for larger views. Use your
browser's back button to return to this page.
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