[Paco]

Just scored a mid/late April permit. I've done the upper, but not the lower.
Trying to figure out the whole reserved camp thing. It looks like I could have longer days the first 2 and have reserved camps the last 2 nights. OR take more time early and only go for one reserved site.
Am I missing something?
I'm guessing the 2 nights reserved thing is for groups doing 6 or 7 days, and thinking I should only go for one reserved camp.
Any thoughts?

 

[Heywood]

if you have the water (2000 + cfs) get a slickhorn camp and then push all the way out on the last day.

 

[Paco]

Hmmmm... I suspect we'll have water.
But not sure I want to commit to...18 miles? on the last day, take out, drive 6 hours home...
Is it that magical?

 

[Bigwaterforeveryone]

Looking back at the last few Aprils, it still could be low unless you happen to catch a pulse. If it is low, take out will not be a quick affair. We're headed down in about a week with expected flows in the high 500/low 600 cfs range. We're doing 7 days from Sand Island and have two reserved camps down below (Slickhorn B and Steer Gulch). The short river mileage on take-out day will allow for plenty of time for the cluster that will inevitably be on display at Clay Hills. Word is the river is now 150-200 feet from the end of the "ramp". Folks are A) derigging and humping gear across the mud flat, B) dragging boats across the mud flat using long lines anchored to their vehicles, or C) using some kind of roller situation.

Bottom line: Consider two reserved camps or just one that is much lower down.

 

[RFM137]

Try to avoid Trimple if you have a group, not much of a camp.

 

[tetoncounty]

I picked up an April 19th permit. Having done the San Juan maybe 8 times I'm expecting low cfs. I put in for a Slickhorn and either Ojieto or Steer Gulch for the last two nights. It can be a slow roll down past Steer Gulch at low water, and the website indicates that the channel has gone river left at the Clay Hills ramp, which will make for a bit more work at the take out.

 

[ArgoCat]

You want to get on your campsite request ASAP because at times Trimble is the only thing left. Not ideal. And yes, if possible stay two nights down below. Really helps with low water on the last day. San Juan Campsites

 

[Benjamin W.]

Trimble is awful. There are scattered areas where you could pitch tents, and there is one (maybe two) areas where you have just enough space for a kitchen setup. I would be very hesitant to camp there if the forecast has any chance of moderate-significant rain.

On our last trip we opted to skip the camp entirely and floated all the way to the takeout. Got to the takeout around 10pm, had a late dinner, then crashed on the boats.

 

[FR1DAYx]

I stayed at Trimble last year and I personally think people make it sound a lot worse than it really is. I thought Slickhorn D was much worse. landing for the boats was bad and had to walk across a 50ft mud flat to get to camp. SO MANY ANTS! we made dinner on the boats that night so we didn't have to carry everything through mud.

 

[FloatsYourBoat]

Any opinions on Slickhorn A vs C? Just snagged a permit and these two look like my options. I’ve heard about the oil smell/slick at A, but thinking I’d prefer that over being too close to any of you people partying into the night…

 

[Quiggle]

It’s completely flow dependent. I did it last at 500 cfs with two boats and had no problem getting from John’s to oljete in a day. We were both very competent boaters, I could see it being difficult for the less experienced to make miles like that in the end of the canyon. I remember even at 1800 making those lower miles long with more boats. You can always call the river office and see if you can change your reservation camp, and you don’t have to use the first reservation camp. As far as Slickhorn, it’s a sweet hike for sure. A smells like gas and D looks unusable at low flows. It’s always a great time down there, enjoy!

 

[ArgoCat]

Was at D last year at ~400, yep, a bit of a hike to the camp area, but it is still a nice camp and a big drybag can carry a lot in one trip. Only takes a couple days of low water and sun to dry out the mud. Better than Trimble and the mosquito fest at Steer Gulch. The biggest problem is that the lower and upper pools were bone dry last year.

Slickhorn to Ojieto isnt so bad at low water, but Ojieto down can be rough.

 

[coult45]

We ran it last week, it ran around 600. I wouldn’t want to run from slick horn down in one day unless I had to. We enjoyed hiking up slickhorn, and then staying and hiking oljeto. The takeout was a mess

 

[Kelly Ray]

Am I missing something. This morning the San Juan was pushing 3000 cfs with more snow and warm weather on the way. Irrigation probably won’t start till May even down south in New Mexico. I would expect good flow. That said my advice is add at least a day and take two down low. The drive out is long if the road is in good shape and it’s likely not after this winter.

 

[coult45]

Am I missing something. This morning the San Juan was pushing 3000 cfs with more snow and warm weather on the way. Irrigation probably won’t start till May even down south in New Mexico. I would expect good flow. That said my advice is add at least a day and take two down low. The drive out is long if the road is in good shape and it’s likely not after this winter.

the rangers claimed the road was recently graded and in great shape. Having never driven it before, I can’t compare to previous years,but we found it smooth and not bad at all. I imagine that doesn’t last very long though.

 

[Kelly Ray]

the rangers claimed the road was recently graded and in great shape. Having never driven it before, I can’t compare to previous years,but we found it smooth and not bad at all. I imagine that doesn’t last very long though.

 

[Kelly Ray]

Good to hear that the road is graded, they have done a commendable job of up keep and improvement in recent years. Definitely worth mentioning to the un-initiated that in good condition it’s an hour from ramp to pavement.

 

[Paco]

Thanks all for the thoughts and beta. Bigwater got me a bit worried about flows for a 4 day, but looking at the last several years, 2017 and 2019 are closest in terms of snowpack and both had flows above 2k. Fingers crossed.
I put in my requests, but the "campsite schedule" doesn't show much availability. I'll likely get one of the less desirable Slickhorns on night 2 and Grand Gulch on night 3. I have 20+, so hopefully they won't put us in Trimble.
How is Grand Gulch?
I'll just be a push to make Slickhorn in 2 days.

 

[atg200]

Grand Gulch is nice - a long skinny rock bench with absolutely amazing hiking. It is short from Slickhorn to get there though so doesn't buy you much.