I was wondering if anyone on this discussion group would have suggestions relating to picking a company for a guided Grand Canyon Raft trip this summer... I have unexpectedly been able to arrange two weeks in a row off at the end of this July...and thought maybe it would be possible to take my three boys, ages 10, 12, 14, and a wife down the River. I know this is costly, but on the other hand there is no other way I can take the kids down. I used to whitewater kayak, but not for about 12 years now. Please feel free to send me a private note of suggestions, and or experiences with any commercial groups that do this...or suggestions of some other great raft trip somewhere else...but I do wish to see the GC, and will be going to Colorado to visit a friend's ranch anyway, so a side trip to the GC is pretty feasible. I have anywhere from 5-10 days to do this. I know it may be costly...but I can consider that when I find out if the is a good group ...ie good enough to take my kids along. A chance to do a kayak may also be of interest to me...but is not essential at all. The main thing here is to give my kids a great time, and to see the Grand Canyon with them. thanks for any suggestions...I also know it may be a little late to be trying to schedule such a trip for this year...but worth a try. (Next year in early July is also a possibility.) I have a great suggestion for a summer sea kayak trip in Northern California if anyone is interested....about twenty five miles of paddling...with water available at campsites easily accessible by kayak if you like surf. It can be easily spread out over about 3-5 days...and the campsites are all very good...and the only folks to compete with are backpackers...who are few and far between...and good neighbors. (I did this with my family as a backpack trip...and it was great...although I think it would be even more fun as a sea kayak trip...and frankly also easier for the most part.) Mike Orchard Vancouver, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Michael, commercial river travel is down since the last few years, and every one of the 14 businesses operating the 16 river concessions in Grand Canyon National Park has openings this summer. This in the face of overwhelming public demand for do-it-yourself trips with 130,000 paddlers waiting patiently for their chance to paddle through the Canyon in a forecasted 24 year wait for access to the river. That said, I would encourage you to consider traveling with your family on a muscle powered trip. You'll be able to hear the river, wildlife, and you^Rre river guide. Oar rafts are actually safer (see Myers et al; Fateful Journey, Myers et al; Over The Edge) and are certainly wilderness compatible. You may be interested to know there was a study done that had a large motorized tour boat catch an oar trip 1/2 way through the canyon. Everyone changed places (oar folks got on motor rigs and visa versa). This was done twice, and everyone was polled as to their preference. 9 out of 10, having had the experience of both types of craft, choose.....drum roll please...oar boats. The river concessions say 3 out of 4 concessions passengers choose to go by motor boat, without saying that 3 out of 4 of the seats available, by 10 year concessions contracts, are motorized. This is not a choice. Hope this helps, cheers, Tom Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:11 PM 6/5/04 -0700, you wrote: >I was wondering if anyone on this discussion group would have suggestions >relating to picking a company for a guided Grand Canyon Raft trip this >summer... Basically I agree with Tom Martin -- there are openings out there if you look for them. Commericial tripping is reportedly down, and canvassing the outfitters in the commercial outfitters link given will probably come up with the spots you need. http://www.nps.gov/grca/river/river_concessioners.htm -- commercial outfitters http://www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver/ -- General background links page I also agree with Tom, that unless you have time difficulties you probably should look at an oar trip, even though they're more expensive than motor trips. I took a motor trip last year, things went by too quickly and the constant drone of the motor was very annoying. However, under the limited time I had available it was my only choice. The result is at http://www.kayakplace.com/essay/gc/gc03-p.htm There are shorter than normal oar trips available, either half trips or full trips. Might be worth looking into and are a little cheaper than the two weeks plus oar trips. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place NEW URL! -- http://www.kayakplace.com Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] About 10 years ago, I did a commercial trip with my wife and youngest son through the Grand Canyon with Hatch River Expeditions. At that time, they were a very good company and we enjoyed the trip a lot. Most of the commercial companies seemed to be good. They are highly regulated and there is little to differentiate them (or at least that was the case about 10 years ago). When we booked our trip, reservations were hard to get and you had to book almost a year in advance. I also believe that children had to be at least 12 if I remember correctly. It was a great trip that took about a week if I remember correctly. Have a good time, Steve Holtzman Southern CA > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael Orchard > Subject: [Paddlewise] Grand Canyon Raft trips for a > family..suggestions? > > I was wondering if anyone on this discussion group would have > suggestions relating to picking a company for a guided Grand > Canyon Raft trip this summer... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:37 PDT