May–June 2017 Dories through Lodore and More

Once again, our eccentric gang of nutball dory boatmen, collectively calling ourselves Dory Moon Expeditions, is putting together another peculiar adventure. 

At the end of May, 2017 we are headed to Dinosaur National Monument to run the Green River's  infamous Canyon of Lodore, where sensible wooden boats don't go. As usual, we plan to start well above where normal people do, way up at the foot of Flaming Gorge Dam. We'll run the rapids of Red Canyon and meander through the outlaw country of Browns Park for a few days before getting up the nerve to enter the Gates of Lodore.

Although it is a mere stone's throw from the Yampa River, which we ran a few years ago, it is on the other side of a huge fault system and in totally different terrain.

Lodore has the steepest drop of any stretch of the Powell Route that stretches a thousand miles from Green River, Wyoming to the foot of Grand Canyon. It culminates in rapid aptly called Hell's Half Mile. Not quite sure what we'll do there, but Bert Loper figured out how to run it in 1922, so I guess we'll find a way.

Once through Hell's, we will meet the Yampa River in Echo Park. 

Then on through Whirlpool and Split Mountain Canyon to where sane folks usually end their river trip. But we won't. We'll camp another night and cruise on down through the big scenic W and take out near Jensen, Utah on our eighth day. If they'd let us stay longer, we would.

As we did on the Yampa, we are booking this through our friends at Dinosaur River Expeditions, an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service. And they's good people, too. We plan to be running five or six ancient wooden dories, rowed by our ancient selves: ringmaster Andy Hutchinson, Kate Thompson, RJ Johnson, Tim Cooper, myself, and perhaps another. There'll be music, stories, adventure and exploration, and an all around very good time.

Here are the numbers and facts:

Trip Cost: $1925 (Adult) 

Deposit: $500.00 per person, Refund available 60 days prior to trip launch date, with a $100.00 service fee per person. Final payment is due is due 60 days prior to your departure date. (NO refund within the 60 days) 

Reservation and Trip Details : 

The trip cost is all inclusive, with professional guides, all the safety gear, amazing food (Steaks, cowboy potatoes and yummy dutch oven deserts) and transportation from Vernal and back to Vernal. 

We supply drinking water, coffee, cocoa, tea, lemonade and iced coolers for personal beverages. You supply your own soda and alcoholic beverages. We also provide large and small dry bags for your personal gear. Sleep kits rentals $40 (sleeping bag, river pad, pillow) Tents $20. Not included in the trip cost is guide gratuity and a NPS pass of $10.00, if you have a pass we will need a copy of it. 

Drop an email to Andy Hutchinson right away pronto now now if you want to go, as it is already over half full via word of mouth. 

andyhddory@animas.net

and mail that deposit to:

Dory Moon

Box 473

Dolores, CO 81323