Ruby Horsethief 3-Day river trip

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Your guide will pick you up from your Grand Junction hotel at 9:30 am. We will pack dry bags, and take a short van ride to the Loma put-in, where you will meet the rest of your guides. At the put-in our expert SUP instructors will get you “on your feet” with a lesson covering the basics of river SUP. Once the baggage raft is loaded, we will embark on our journey. We float at a relaxing pace along calm, tranquil waters as you adjust to life on the river. Your instructor will be nearby, offering pointers, and continuing your downriver SUP lesson. After 2 hours on the water, we will arrive at our first camp, located river-side beneath large, shady cottonwoods. Lunch will be served on the banks of the Colorado River in the comfort of your camp chair. Your guides will set up camp, and assist you with tent set-up as you settle in. We spend our first afternoon together swimming in the river, relaxing at camp, and possibly taking a nature hike to view wildflowers, bald eagles, and majestic canyon scenery. Snacks and refreshments will be available throughout the day. In the evening your guides will set up happy hour (Wine and Dine option) and begin cooking a delicious, hearty dinner. We share stories and games, as we watch the sun set beneath the deep orange and gold walls of Horsethief Canyon. Dinner will be served beside the campfire. After dessert, the real show begins as millions of stars come into view as you have never seen them before.

Day 2: Awake to the singing of migrating birds, and the aroma of fresh coffee. After a farm fresh breakfast, we will begin a full day of river fun. Today we leave the golden walls of Horsethief Canyon behind, and enter the vivid red and purple world of Ruby Canyon. After 2 hours on the water, we stop on a mid-stream island to break for lunch, and admire the breathtaking scenery. In the afternoon, we pass between the 2 billion year old Black Rocks formation. Through your instruction and experience, you will now be ready to conquer the small river waves that they create. We will set up camp on a sandy beach amid the mighty Black Rocks. The remainder of the day is spent cliff jumping, hiking, relaxing on the beach, and learning to surf small river waves.

Day 3: Today we float the final section or Ruby Canyon, which features dramatic side canyons, including McDonald Canyon, where we stop to view 1,000-year-old Fremont rock art. We will view more ancient archaeology as we float past an ancient “ladder” of foot holds carved into the canyon walls by its original inhabitants. By the time we cross the Utah state line, you will have forgotten the world we left behind days earlier. Our trip ends at Westwater Ranger Station, 25 river miles from where we began. Refreshments will be available as we reminisce about the experiences we have had together. Your guides will load the van and trailer which takes about an hour. We will share a van ride back to Grand Junction, Colorado, and drop you off at your hotel between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Sample Menu

Standard Menu

Breakfast

Hearty Country Scramble served with sausage links, English muffins, Coffee, tea, and orange juice.

Lunch

Southwestern burrito bowl featuring fresh cilantro, lime, corn, black beans, and fresh veggies, all on a warm flour tortilla. Chips and salsa served on the side.

Dinner

Fire-grilled burgers, complete with all the fixin's. Served with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and chips.

Dessert

Strawberry shortcake

Wine and Dine

Breakfast

Farm Fresh Eggs Scramble featuring organic North Fork Valley grown vegetables, pasture raised meats, and artisan cheese. Served with English muffins and local jams, breakfast potatoes, locally roasted coffee, locally grown tea, and orange juice.

Lunch

“The Works” Cobb Salad. Tender roasted chicken breast, bacon, avocado, and aged local cheeses, tossed in with ripe Hotchkiss grown tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and onion fresh from the field. Served with seasonal fruit from Paonia orchards.

Happy Hour

After a full day on the river, enjoy a cold glass of Storm Cellar Chardonnay and charcuterie platter prepared by your guides.

Dinner

Shrimp and rotini pasta tossed in homemade pesto sauce featuring fresh local basil, and seasonal veggies. Served with locally baked garlic bread, an organic farm fresh salad, and a glass or two of Stone Cottage Cellar’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dessert

Homemade peach cobbler, packed with juicy Paonia peaches.

What We Provide

All equipment included, no additional rental fees

• SUP board, paddle, and PFD (extra stable river specific stand up paddle board)
• Spacious 3-person tent (sleeps 2 people)
• Clean sleeping bag
• Luxurious 3” thick sleeping pad (AIRE Landing Pad)
• Pillow and laundered pillow case
• Camp chair
• Portable toilet system with privacy tent
• 110 liter personal dry bag
• All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3, ice water, and lemonade
• Organic, farm fresh meals locally sourced from the North Fork Valley (Wine and Dine option)
• Daily happy hour wine tasting, and wine with dinner. We select only the finest North Fork Valley wines (Wine and Dine option)
• Full kitchen, all utensils
• Comprehensive first aid kit
• 2-3 expert stand up paddle guides
• Transportation to and from Grand Junction, Colorado

what you should bring

Personal clothing

• Swimsuit
• Quick-dry shorts + shirts (long sleeves and pants recommended for sun protection)
• Water sandals with heel strap
• Hiking boots
• Long underwear
• Sweater or jacket
• Sun hat
• Rain gear

Personal items

• Water bottle with clip
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Sunglasses with strap
• Bandana/Buff
• Insect repellent
• Small towel and toiletries
• Medication
• Large zip lock bags for wet gear
• Sunscreen/lip balm
• Moisturizer/skin lotion
• Biodegradable camp soap

Optional Gear

• Waterproof camera
• Small day pack
• Book/Journal

FAQ

what is the Difficulty Level?

Rivers are rated on a difficulty scale of class I (beginner) to class VI (expert) The Ruby Horsethief section of the Colorado River is calm, with no rapids larger than class I, making this the perfect river for beginner stand up paddle boarders. SUP instruction is ongoing throughout the 3-day trip. Within your first hour on the water you will be a confident SUP enthusiast!

Is this trip appropriate for all ages?

Short Answer: Ages 10+ to SUP, 6+ to raft

We will be on the river up to 4 hours each day. Young children may have trouble handling the physical and mental demands of paddling their own craft. We find most children ages 10 and up are able to handle these demands. We are able to accommodate children as young as 6 years old in rafts.

Are there any fitness requirements?

There are no fitness requirements to raft Ruby/Horsethief. Rafts will be rowed by our guides, while you relax and enjoy the scenery.

Paddle boarders must be able to stand, sit, or kneel on your board up to 4 hours each day. Stand up paddle is a solo activity. Your instructor will be right there with you the whole time; however no one can paddle your board but you! We move down river at a leisurely pace, participants of average fitness will have no problem keeping up with the group.

where do we sleep?

We camp nightly beside the river. We provide a spacious 3-person tent, which will be shared by 2 people. You will share your tent with 1 other person from your party. You may also choose to sleep out under the stars. Full sleeping kit including sleeping bag, pillow, and 3” thick sleeping pad are provided.

what is included?

All SUP and camping equipment, guides and transportation are included, there are no additional rental fees. You are only responsible for bringing personal items. Here is a comprehensive list of what we provide:

• SUP board, paddle, and PFD (extra stable, river specific stand up paddle board)
• Spacious 3-person tent (sleeps 2 people)
• Clean sleeping bag
• Luxurious 3” thick sleeping pad (AIRE Landing Pad)
• Pillow and laundered pillow case
• Camp chair
• Portable toilet system with privacy tent
• 110-liter personal dry bag
• All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3, ice water, and lemonade
• Organic, farm fresh meals locally sourced from the North Fork Valley (Wine and Dine option)
• Daily happy hour wine tasting, and wine with dinner. We select only the finest North Fork Valley wines (Wine and Dine option)
• Full kitchen, all utensils
• Comprehensive first aid kit
• 2-3 expert stand up paddle guides
• Transportation to and from Grand Junction, Colorado

What are the group sizes?

Our minimum booking criteria is 4 guests. Trips can range in size from 4 to 21 participants plus 2-3 guides

how long are we on the river each day?

Short Answer; 2-4 hours

Our first day is a short introduction to river SUP. After instruction, our first camp is only 2 hours down river. Our second day will be a full day on the water. We will likely be 4 hours on-river. Our third day will be between 2-4 hours on the river.

Paddle boarders will not be actively paddling the whole time we are on the river. Most of the time you will be standing on your board, gazing at canyon scenery, or chatting with friends and family. It is also perfectly appropriate to sit, kneel, or swim beside your paddle board while we are on the river.

when is the best time to go?

Short Answer: September

Ruby Horsethief is boatable year-round, though the most pleasant months are April through October. Here is a typical season:

• April - Cool to warm days, and cool nights.

• May - Warm days, cool nights

• June - Spring run-off lasts from mid May to late June. This means high water on the Colorado River! Great for rafting, but not appropriate for SUP’s and kayaks

• July - Hot days, warm nights.

• August - Hot days, nights beginning to cool

• September - PERFECT! Moderate temperatures day and night.

• October - Moderate days, cool nights

what about personal hygene?

You will have the opportunity to bathe in the river each day. We recommend bringing biodegradable camp soap to lather down. We provide multiple hand washing stations at camp.

Do we have to carry our own gear?

Short Answer: No

Our baggage raft will carry all camp and personal gear. You are not required to carry anything on your SUP. However, you will not have access to the baggage boat during the day. Therefore, we recommend bringing a small day pack, and a water bottle that can be clipped onto your paddle board. Possible items you may want in your day pack include:

• Fleece/windbreaker

• Water bottle

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Medication

Are Dogs Allowed?

No dogs are allowed on this trip.