Rivers in the West

I have just completed two rafting runs on the Green River. The first was through Dinosaur National Mounument, Colorado running the Yampa onto the Green River. The geology along the canyon is so interesting and the faults and folds are spectacular. The confluence of the two rivers is always so dramatic with the green, clean waters of the Green gently mixing with the muddy, brown water of the Yampa - the only free flowing river remaining in the Colorado watershed. The green runs so clear due to all the silt being caught upstream in the Flaming Gorge reservior. Warm Springs is always a rapid to respect and this year it reminded us to be prepared for unexpected obstacles. It was good to be back on the Yampa-Green after a 8 year hiatus due to the demand on permits. Our second trip was all Green River in Utah through Desolation and Grays Canyons. The geology is so tame and monotonous. The distances are vast - floating and paddling from mile 96 to 12 in 4 1/2 days. Every day afforded us time to swim, play and talk on the long stretches of flat water. Rapids were fun and some good wave trains were encoutered. We decided to ban cell phones on the second trip and the students were so much better off for the experience. Spending time away from the routine of life in such an isolated location is refreshing and invigorating. We are so lucky to have places like these. It takes people (rangers and boaters) to ensure places like these are preserved. Overuse and permitting access will always be in conflict but I hope many more people can experience the wonder of our planet away from the pressures on modern life. Roll on summer 2025!