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Deso/Gray July 15th Launch

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#21 ·
Chapmatterson31 said:
@Ripper Ok, I've seen those before. I think one of the members on the trip has one. Wow those Dragonfly tarps are pricey!

I think if I can get my hands on a motor I'll keep it at 6 days if not I'll push it out a day. Although with the trip currently ending on the summer solstice we'll pretty much have the most day light possible, so that could help a little.
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If you take a motor, make sure you have a current registration for the boat it's on, USCG fire extinguisher AND number placards. A friend went down last year with one, they wouldn't let him take it as it was registered to another boat, they checked the serial number of the raft and it didn't match. 6 days without one is ambitious if there's not much water.

Other than that, bugs. Most are gone by the time you pass Temple Canyon, but that's not always the case. I'd check on the releases from Flaming Gorge before you go, as that's where any increased flows will come from this year. Given that they have been emptying it to keep the turbines spinnin at Glen Canyon Dam, if there is a "high flow" you might could have bugs at any time when the flows recede. As was mentioned, a cheap screen room is a huge bonus.

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Discussion starter · #22 ·
@MNichols Thanks for the heads up on the motor. That would suck to get out there with one and not be able to take it. I've seen those Bug Shirts mentioned before on the buzz. I'll definitely check them out. Regarding checking the release from Flaming Gorge where's the best place to look that info up? In my experience going straight to the DoR page for a specific dam produces varying results (or I just suck at navigating those sites).
 
#25 ·
Pinchecharlie said:
So do rafts have titles? I've never "registered " a raft and I don't think I have a title? Guess I'll call the dmv. It's a real headache in bozo now to go to the dmv lol. Think they said they are 4 months out on appointments.
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Charlie, rafts do not have titles, but they do have serial numbers, which you will be asked for when you go to register your motor, which is in effect registering your boat. You do not do this through the DMV, usually at your local state Park's office, at least here in Colorado. They handle registration for boats, off highway vehicles that aren't otherwise licensed like snowmobiles and ATVs...
 
#27 · (Edited)
Launched 7/17 last year. I think we had 2200 cfs, and that was with a little bump from Flaming Gorge to donate blood to the dying Powell reservoir downstream.

We brought a motor and went to Jack creek day 1.

Winds were picking up by noon and we averaged maybe 2-3mph. Get out early. We did six days and I wish we had more. We even motored for maybe 8 miles on the

We did have a bear and her cub walk through camp our 3rd or 4th night. They didn’t seem very interested in us. Just make sure to not leave any food or trash out overnight, no scented stuff in your tent, and close up your groover. They like to knock them over.

It was really hot. Cooler/ice management is super important. We kept wet towels on the cooler, a paco over the towel, and Bimini up. Tried to only go in the coolers before sun was On camp and after it was gone. No opening midday. We had a very little ice left the last day. I had friends out a week before and they ran out.

As far as I know with Redtail, you have to rig your gear and drive to the takeout then fly back up. Getting from the Swayses takeout to the green river airport isn’t the easiest thing to do, and the walk from the Sand Wash air strip to the put in isn’t very close, either. I think just getting a vehicle transfer from Dusty (rivershuttleus.com) is the way to go.

As far as registering motors (in Utah) goes, I had to bring my boat and motor to the DMV, they checked the Hull Identification Number and the motor size, and gave me the registration paperwork. I think it’s $50/year. It is legally viewed as a motorized vehicle and DWI laws can very much so be enforced.
 
#28 ·
I've seen videos of guys walking and pulling boats when's it's low . It's low under 5k? So may be too low at my launch with the low snow pack. Is it still fun real low and hot? Would a lower salmon be more fun then a super low deso? 80 miles of low flat water in the blazing sun is scaring me a little lol. Are the. Nights cool? 70's? Lol
 
#29 ·
Pinchecharlie said:
I've seen videos of guys walking and pulling boats when's it's low . It's low under 5k? So may be too low at my launch with the low snow pack. Is it still fun real low and hot? Would a lower salmon be more fun then a super low deso? 80 miles of low flat water in the blazing sun is scaring me a little lol. Are the. Nights cool? 70's? Lol
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Charlie, I used to run Deso every october with a friend, and maybe one other and a random passenger. 1500 I think was the lowest, but it was almost always below 2K. I'm actually quoted in Tom Rampton's guide book (Blacktail Enterprises) on low water trips, it's very doable in a 16 foot boat, but is not the best time to bring your entire collection of cast iron cookware.

The crux of the trip in low low water, in MY opinion is staying right, extreme right, in 3 fords. If you don't, it's a LONG LONG drag. Other than that, the runs are straightforward, and easily boat scouted. In the summer it's hot, but there's plenty of camps with shade, and you can always bring a shade tarp, which due to the unpredictable weather and winds, you should have along anyway.

It's fun, there are still rapids, but there's no "boat eating holes". Jack Creek can get interesting, but stay to the right of the waves and you'll be fine. IF you can get a permit, go for it. It's truly a worthwhile trip.
 
#30 ·
Nights are cool enough.
There are really only three rapids - Cow swim, fire fence, and three fords. Other than that, just a bunch of rocks to get stuck on. It is absolutely beautiful. If you’re looking for a whitewater trip (below 5k) then lower Salmon is probably a better call. Deso doesn’t catch on fire nearly as much though. Sandstone is much harder to burn.
 
#31 ·
River Runners' Transport out of Vernal, UT 84078 is a great shuttle service, 435-781-4919. I wouldn't use anyone else, wonderful people. Much better than running your own shuttle. Once past Jack's Creek, mosquitoes have never been a problem at campsites, camping along the first 36 miles can be a problem depending on the time of year, mid-to late July might not be a problem. Rig at Sand Wash before evening when the winds die down. A screened cabin at Sand Wash rented from the BLM is not a bad idea. When I have the permit, I prefer to be on the river by 8:00 in the morning, especially mid summer. You can usually set your watch by when the winds pickup, around 1:00 (I've fought the winds on Deso to many times). We did a July trip several years ago and everyone whined about being on the river that early. The first day we got a late start and the winds picked up; they asked if we could be on the river the next morning by 7:30. Being to your next camp around 1:00 is like a layover day everyday. Not sure what the current status is with camping permits are with the Ute Tribe; it really depends on the mood of the tribe; some years years yes, some years, no. Plenty of good camp sites on BLM land, river right. By all means, stop at Ray's Tavern, it's all part of the experience. There are a couple of places to take showers and dump groover(s) in Green River when you get off the river. Depending on your direction of travel, there are also a couple of places to dump your groover for free along I-70, rest stops Fruita, Rifle and Edwards.
 
#32 ·
River Runners out of Vernal does not do deso shuttles any longer, seems they lost their permit... Many BS reasons from them, and the Price field office won't say why, other than it was not a paperwork snafu as RRT claims..

https://rivershuttleus.com/ seems to be the place to go. Many positive reviews. The owner "Dusty" seems to be a good guy who it's reported even cleans the inside of cars...
 
#36 ·
as previouly stated 6 days with a layover you will be having some long days on the oars. . Better get up real early each day and hope afternoon winds don't come up. The 1st 20 plus miles is flat until jacks creek. Have plan A, B and C on camps. Its not a good feeling coming around the corner real late in the day and someone is already there.
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
So what I'm taking away at this point is get on early, above about 4k 6days with a motor can give me a layover day, otherwise shoot for 7days, below 4k take 7days and a motor. Bugs are worse in Deso than they are in Gray. Keep a clean camp and I won't have to worry about wildlife. Bug spray, sunscreen, and biminis (shade).
 
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slickride33
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