The day after our epic hike, we said farewell to Escalante and headed to Moab to prepare for our next adventure - our week-long canoe trip down the Green River. We checked in with Tex to size up the canoes, shopped for meals, did laundry, and prepped gear. After a passable Mexican meal at a restaurant, we resumed our packing. We all retired to bed around 10:30 pm.
Tuesday, July 12th - Saturday, July 16th
Canoe Trip Part 1 - Crystal Geyser to Mineral Bottom (whole crew)
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| We're ready to go! |
We arrived at Tex's around 7:30, and by 8 we were being briefed by Devin, the gentleman who would be taking us to the launch. We circled around 'Old Tex,' which was a cube-shaped steel box with a circular opening on top. A lid fit securely on top of Old Tex, and their were screws to secure the lid. Old Tex also had a pressure relief valve and a plastic, donut shaped seat. This would be our privy for our time on the river. We knew about Old Tex, and the federal regulations and sanitary reasons that made Old Tex necessary; but seeing him for the first time opened some eyes. Devin told us that we had it easy since we only had to make deposits. They had to clean it out.
The first think you need to understand if you are going to get along with Old Tex is that he sits out in the hot, desert sun all day long 'stewing.' If you don't pull the pressure relief valve before unlatching the lid...well...you can work out the consequences. You only use Old Tex for pooping. Peeing is done directly in the river. The lid needs to be put back on securely, without getting sand on the seal. Everything else just comes naturally. Some in our party began trying to figure out if they could go four days without ever getting to know Old Tex. Day four is when we would come across our first outhouse. One of them made it; the rest didn't.
Devin drove us to our put-in, Crystal Geyser. Along the way, Jeff peppered him with questions and he answered each one patiently. If we had a medical emergency, the best bet would be to get to Mineral Bottom (mile 64) or the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers (mile 116). Trying to hike out of the canyon would be a mistake. If we got bit by a scorpion, don't assume you will need to be evacuated; their stings are kind of like a bad bee sting. If you get bit by a rattlesnake, you should try to evacuate and get medical help. The good news is, although there are plenty of rattlesnakes, in Devin's 24 years of working there nobody has ever been bitten. Don't dive into the river. It's the color of chocolate milk and you can't see hidden rocks. In his 24 years, he has rushed people to the hospital on a backboard after they ignored this advice.
As we had loaded all of the boats, Devin asked Jeff if he wanted to go over the map with him. He pointed out campsites and points of interest along the way. We thanked him and bade him farewell! He wished us luck and told us someone, if not himself, would see us at Mineral Bottom to fetch Lisa, Brian and our Devin, who would be ending their trip there. Off we went into the Utah wilderness!
We quickly came upon a large group floating the river from near Provo, UT. They looked like a plane crash, scattered all over the river, and bumping into each other. Most of the kids were in the river. Adults were sitting in lawn chairs while paddling. Jeff and I talked a bit with one of the adults in the group before paddling along. Later, wee passed a Boy Scout group with homemade kayaks made out of roofing material. The boys let the current dictate their direction and spent their time bailing by loading water guns and shooting each other.
On the second day we saw even more groups! Not the isolation we thought we would feel. Some of the paddlers were even playing loud music from their canoes. Thanks for sharing... Out of all of the groups, only two of them had any females. Definitely a male-dominated adventure. Lisa and I were disappointed by the lack of a female presence. The second night we were all settled into camp when a man stopped and jogged his way up to Jeff, greeting Jeff with a "Hello mate!" He then explained, "We're the British Army and we've already paddled 10 miles further than we wanted to. Could we share this island with your group?" The bloody British Army!! The last time they were stateside, they burned down the White House. I acquiesced, since they couldn't do much harm in the Utah desert, and I couldn't do anything about it anyway. They looked our group over and said they would keep their language in check. They were indeed very quiet, and we couldn't have asked for more civil neighbors.
A swarm of mosquitoes quickly sent us all into our tents for an early bedtime. This was fine, since we had paddled 28 miles. Shortly after settling in, a HUGE wind came up, destroying Brandon's tent and threatening to blow Lisa, Brian and Devin into the Green River. Then all was quiet. Lisa, Brandon, the girls, Jeff, and I, ventured out into chairs to watch the stars. Amazing!
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| Day 2 Campsite |
The next day we set out, stopping after a couple miles to hike what is known as the Bowknot. The Bowknot is a six mile loop in the river where the river comes back on itself. At it's narrowest point, it is only half a mile across by land. We hiked up to the top of the canyon and could see two sections of the of the river at once, flowing in opposite directions. Jeff, Lynn, Brooke, Brandon, and I took off to hike while Lisa, Brian, and Devin opted to stay with the boats and wait for us. Within minutes Brooke accidentally kicked a cactus on the side of the trail! She pulled out the large quills but who knew there were so many small quills! Unfortunately she had to remove her shoe and sock and receive a piggy back ride from Jeff back to the waiters to wait with them. <The sneakers (easily her most favorite pair) will eventually be thrown out at the Inca Inn, much to her displeasure. Just couldn't get the quills out without totally tearing apart the sneakers.> The view from the top was breathtaking!
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| Lunch stop before Mineral Bottom |
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| Campsite at Mineral Bottom |
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