[AGuest]

Hey everyone,

We lucked out an pulled a cancellation permit for Desolation/Gray the first week of May!

We're all experienced rafters, all adults, and half of our group has done Deso later season, but we don't have experience on this section of the Green so early. We've checked related posts here, watched videos online, and reviewed the historic flow/temperature data through USGS/NOAA, but we'd like to get some community feedback...

• General advice on gear
  • Wetsuits? (for Joe Hutch & Three Fords - water temp could be 45-65F depending on flow)
  • Shelter? (sounds like bugs won't be terrible nor hot enough to require shade at camp)
• Favorite camps (it seems like the Ute Tribe no longer offers permits on river-left)
• Trip activities
  • Layover day?
  • Must see historic sites?

If anyone has any other advice or suggestions, we're always looking to learn more.

Thanks!

 

[caverdan]

I have been down a bunch in April and May. I always take several mesh tarps to block the wind coming through the kitchen. Instead of shade, you will want tarps to get out of the rain. I have never needed a wet suit. If your worried about swimming, take a dry suit. Cold wet suits in the morning suck. My suggestion for layover spots are Rock creek....there is a camp just below the ranch or calf canyon. Wire fence #1 or 2. Rincon has some really nice camps and great hiking. Good luck and enjoy. Pack for any kind of weather imaginable that time of year.

 

[RidgeLivin]

I did a Deso trip last year May 16-24 (after audibling from the San Juan due to closure). It was warm during the day and cool at night. It was nice to have a campfire each evening. I never used the winter hat or gloves that I brought. It takes a lot for me to be cold though. Others were wearing their winter hats at night. None of us brought wet or drysuits, but we knew the weather forecast going into it. We had two days of 70+ mph wind gusts (not exaggerating). Luckily, we planned a layover for those days. The water was big, which was super fun. Folks on SUPs took some swims and were fine, even after being in the water for a couple minutes. There wasn't a single mosquito. I didn't set up a tent the entire trip. We always bring tarps to build a rain shelter if needed, but never needed it on that trip. We also bring a bug shelter if needed, but again never needed it for bugs. We did put it up one afternoon for shade when we stayed on a small beach with no trees and it was in the mid 80s.

I agree that Above Wire Fence #1 is awesome. Make sure to check out the petroglyphs at Flat Canyon. It's a decent camspite at high water too. Even if not camping there, it's worth stopping to take a look at the panel. If just checking out the panel, you have a shorter walk if you stop above the rapid upstream of the camp. Have fun! Deso in May is amazing.

This was during a lull in the 70+ mph windstorm. Tenters took their tents down during the day due to fear they would snap. We did a layover at Flat Canyon for the windstorm.

 

[2tomcat2]

Wet suits - take them; if you don't need them, fine; if you don't have them and you need them, SOL
Shade - take a netted gazebo if you have one; if you don't need it, fine and ad nauseam
Favorite camps - all on the right side
Layover day - might plan one for when the W stops you 1 mile from your last camp
Historic sites - several on the left side, please practice LNT and respect the tribe's closure
A great trip, enjoy!!

 

[jamesthomas]

Yeah one of my rafting buds in Ut pulled May 24th. I am pumped. Everything depends on the weather. Could friggin snow, you never know. Warm is good cold is bad. Dress and pack accordingly. We had snow on 20th May on the San Juan one year.

 

[MNichols]

A lot of this depends on your personal comfort level. Better to have it not need it than need it and not have it. A strong second on large tarps to block the wind, 50 to 70 mile an hour winds are not uncommon in desolation canyon..a hardy second for what everyone else here has written!

I remember one year, in late April, had we not had an 18x18 tarp made out of sunbrella fabric, we never would have eaten...

And yes, it can snow, it can rain, it can hail, anything can happen, being prepared is a good thing, and you will have to set your own limits as to what is overkill, and what is not enough, but you shouldn't have any problem with water this year, or bugs. They generally don't show up until the water level drops

Do yourself a favor if you've never done it, and use red tail aviation for your shuttle. get to deso a day early rig your boats hop in your cars and drive to Green River for the night. Fly back up in an airplane to sand wash. It's a breathtaking flight, and you can scout all of the rapids from the airplane

My two cents, your mileage may vary

 

[jamesthomas]

Ok, I’ll play. How much does it cost to fly?

 

[MNichols]

Ok, I’ll play. How much does it cost to fly?

Last time I flew, it was in the area of 150 or 160 bucks per person, considerably cheaper than paying RRT to trash your vehicle, I can't remember what they charge but I want to say it was close to 300 bucks per vehicle, plus fuel to go the long way around

 

[MNichols]

Check out their website, River Airplane Shuttles for Rafting in Moab - Redtail Air Adventures
184.00 green river to sand wash

 

[jamesthomas]

Hmmmm, interesting.

 

[MNichols]

https://rivershuttleus.com/

Has a stellar reputation I'd you elect to do a land shuttle

 

[MNichols]

Hmmmm, interesting.

it's a really fun flight, and the pilot will fly like a hundred ft AGL over the river if you ask them to, take a camera!

 

[jamesthomas]

Takes what, a half hour or so.

 

[MNichols]

Closer to 45 minutes, you'll probably wait 5 to 10 minutes for them at the Green River airport, and the hike down from sand wash takes 15 to 20 minutes from the air strip to the river

 

[2tomcat2]

Shelter from the W.....tarps have many purposes, yet I find the flapping to be annoying and often will shred the tarp
Usually, there are enough long driftwood pieces in camp to construct a temporary W fence....adults and kids both like to do this
Please remember to take it down when you depart

 

[MNichols]

Shelter from the W.....tarps have many purposes, yet I find the flapping to be annoying and often will shred the tarp
Usually, there are enough long driftwood pieces in camp to construct a temporary W fence....adults and kids both like to do this
Please remember to take it down when you depart

That's why I bit the bullet and had my great big tarp that sets up with oars, and we affectionately call the palapa, made. It's heavy it's bulky it's a pain in the ass to set up but once it's up, you're so damn glad you had it. Talk to Ray at tough river stuff in Salida...When I've needed it it's been worth every penny

 

[jamesthomas]

A effective wind screen in blowing sand is a good thing, a trip or at least a meal saver.

 

[RidgeLivin]

You guys are fancy. On our 70+ mph wind night, I just hid behind a bush. No way my tarps would have held up.

 

[TJP]

Moved to separate thread.

 

[caverdan]

You guys are fancy. On our 70+ mph wind night, I just hid behind a bush. No way my tarps would have held up.

I always take a few of these along. I also use them to cover the trailer on the ride in. You can put them over a regular plastic tarp to keep it from flapping around on a trailer. If the wind is really bad, I'll put two or three together to kill the wind. I'll hang them vertically upwind of the kitchen. They are excellent for shade too. You can get them in different weaves for better wind blockage. The best ones are found through green house suppliers and called shade cloth. You can get them up to 90% shade

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