San Juan River - May 2013

[Shan]

I volunteered with a local non-profit group that gets persons with disabilities into the outdoors. This trip was with 7 wounded warrior veterans ages 39-69 (two years ago I did Deso with all women wounded warriors). My husband went with me this time as it was co-ed. He had never been on a raft. Most of these photos were taken by one of the veterans on the trip who is a nature photographer.

I am definitely going back to the San Juan. Next time without 14 other people! We were so busy there was not time to go see any of the ruins, so that was a bummer, but it means I will be back!



Sand Island Campground's views
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I was the cook for nearly all the meals:
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FLows were low but ramped up in time for take off. I think we hit 1100 cfs.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/976421_10151532467798702_1429001440_o.jpg

Take off - 5 boats
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I had never seen yellow AND pink blooming and in such volume. Spectacular!
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Camp for second night
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Sunrise
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We had to wear helmets every second on the river due to their insurance. Bummer!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/966294_10151532473763702_1427050982_o.jpg

My little ponies!
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Awesome lunch spot - perfect beach sand
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View of the Anticline
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Weee!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/468637_10151532474318702_1401616001_o.jpg

[levity]

Beautiful canyon and photos! Thanks for posting!

It's on our radar to paddle on our SUP boards.
Where did you launch and take out?
Any shuttle recommendations?
(Oh yeah, we could use a cook if you'd be willing to join us :lol8:)

[Shan]

Beautiful canyon and photos! Thanks for posting!

It's on our radar to paddle on our SUP boards.
Where did you launch and take out?
Any shuttle recommendations?
(Oh yeah, we could use a cook if you'd be willing to join us :lol8:)

It was the 27 mile stretch from Bluff/Sand Island Campground to Mexican Hat.
Night 1 was at the campground, Nights 2 and 3 were on the river.

The rapids were at Class II. Only Ledge was worth scoping out but even then it was short.

We had two big vans with the non-profit so we did our own shuttle. 30 minutes each way.

LOL! Cooking for a group of 16 is an art form. I can share recipes but that's about all I'll offer!

[Sombeech]

Looks like a great trip! We need to get together a bogley river trip one of these days.

[accadacca]

Killer pictures. Looks like a blast! :cool2:

[Alex]

Haven't done San Juan yet, looks very pretty but lack of whitewater turns me off. Great TR though, awesome pics!

[Shan]

Funny you say that... we had a veteran on the trip who was blind. We went through the first rapid ad he said, "Was that it?!" LOL! I said patience Jim, that one is not even named. But yes it's not like Deso or anything. I was craving some rapids.

[Bo_Beck]

I have been on the San Juan twice (upper in around 1995 or so, and lower a few years ago) and LOVE! that river! Very mellow, but so much to see! Hope to get back on again soon! Enjoyed your pictures! Thanks.