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River Guiding In My Hometown

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Guiding in my Hometown

*Who am I?
I am a river lover! My name is Kassie Robbins, I am 38 years old. I am married and
have three young children. My two boys are ages 9 and 7, and my daughter is 4. I have
been a whitewater raft guide since I was about 20 years old. I started guiding in
southern Utah on the Colorado River and the Green River. My first experience with
seeing river guides was on the Green River Gates of Lodore at a very young age, maybe 11. We
were taking a private family river trip down that section of the Green River through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. The Hatch
River Expeditions crew was camping at Jones Hole. I saw those boats and knew then
that I wanted to become a river guide. Coming from a family of river runners I had no
idea I would land here. I had intentions of making it into the Grand Canyon. However, I
find this place to be as serene and unique as any river I have traversed and that is why I
keep coming back.
*Why I choose to guide here?
I choose Dinosaur National Monument as a place to guide for several reasons. Not only is it one of the best places for white water rafting in Colorado or river rafting in Utah but it is my backyard. One of the biggest reasons of those being that I get to be home regularly with my kiddos. They get to see mom in
action which is really cool. I get to embrace the beauty that surrounds me year-round.
Being able to take advantage of the monument and the rivers flowing through it is such
a huge bonus to my work. Sharing my love for the area is something that is within me. I
grew up rafting these canyons from an early age. We would run through Split Mountain
(the last day of a multi-day for both the Yampa River and Gates of Lodore) camping at the takeout,
sitting around a campfire, laughing and roasting marshmallows and sleeping in a tent I
have fond memories of this place and I seriously love that I get to share it with so many
people, but especially MY little people.
*Why I love working for a locally owned company in my Hometown?
Can we all say the word connection? Relationships are built on connections. I build
relationships on my trips and some of them go on forever. I still connect with some
ladies I took down the river in my first few years of guiding. So, to say that building a
lasting relationship with the owners of Dinosaur River Expeditions is of value to me, is
an understatement. They are like family. They truly care about me, my family, the team
of guides that work for them. I have had many jobs and opportunities to work for
various employers and can honestly say that Jen and Tyler Callantine are literally some
of the best out there. They bring a level of professionalism and empathy to the
workplace. People work hard for people they respect. They have given me a gift of
being able to work part-time in between being a Mom. They understand the importance
of family! I also love the feeling of being able to give back to a small family owned and
operated company.
*What are some of the hidden gems of the area?
Being able to work in and around Vernal, UT, I have learned about many of the neat
places that exist. Some of the cool places to see are actually outside of the monument.
Being able to explore the area throughout the last 15 years and to find out I still have
more to see. It seems that if you are looking you can find a Gem just about anywhere if
you are willing to explore. Whether you like fishing, camping, hiking, sightseeing or
anything else that requires you to get outside, this place has a lot to offer an avid outdoors person. When you take the opportunity to come run a river trip with me and
the crew, we would love to share some of these places with you.

Conquering Your White Water Fears

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White Water River Rafting 

Brush Those Fears Away With a Few Great Tips

 

Preparing to go down the river for the very first time brings forth a range of emotions. Fear of the rapids, confusion of what to bring or wear, anxiety of a new experience, or just terrifying in general. Almost every person feels this way at the beginning, but their feelings quickly alter after being out on the water for just a day. What once was a fear becomes a craving for more of that thrill and excitement. Don’t let the fears behind white water rafting stop you from an amazing experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help wash those fears away.

  • Schedule that river trip!

Taking the chance to go out on that white water river trip is the first step. If you are hesitant about how you are going to go, don’t worry, no extra skills are needed for rafting. All you need to do is enjoy the ride. Day trips are a great start as well to get your feet a little wet. We have a spectacular one day Utah rafting trip on the Green River perfect for a first timer. Not so hesitant, check out our our phenomenal 4 and 5 day trips through Dinosaur National Monument. 

  • Just Breathe

Seeing a rapid coming your way could be quite the frightening view. Taking deep breaths and going to a “happy place” gets the nerves out quickly. Inhale the calming river vibes and exhaling the anxiety. After that first rapid gets you wet you will be ready and anticipating more.

  • Trust your guide.

Your river guide will do their best to navigate the swift river currents as safely as possible. These women and men are trained in both guiding, first aid and different swift water rescue procedures. The river can be unpredictable, your guides are ready for whatever the white water has to throw at them. You are in good hands.

  • Have some fun!

Have a water fight, make a joke, or sing a song. Getting into a good mood and having some fun will get your mind off of the negative thoughts. If you are planning on not getting wet, well that is inevitable, so get ready for some waves coming your way. Getting a little splashed only makes for a better ride and a lot more fun!

Conquering Your White Water Fears

  • Do some research.

The internet is full of great advice on all aspects of white water rafting. There are a lot of great blogs and websites that will help guide you in the right direction. Calling a rafting company and asking questions is also a great way to get good information. Try the locally owned outfitters first for the area you are thinking about trying out a river trip. They will have the best up to date first hand knowledge of the regions river and conditions. Dinosaur River Expeditions is Vernal, Utah’s only locally owned and operated rafting outfitter. Looking for a trip in this region we are the ones to call.

Getting several different perspectives helps ease some of the worries that are brought to new rafters. Feeling more prepared physically and mentally is a great way to make the fears go away. Before each trip a safety talk is also provided for the customers and crew. Listening and paying attention to that talk as well as any other instructions will keep you ready at all times. 

Conquer your white water rafting fears and go on that river rafting trip! The experience is beyond words and addicting. Once you get past those fears and negative thoughts, the beautiful canyon and river will become a sanctuary. It provides an outlet from the busy world and daily life stresses. Being disconnected from phones and electronics creates time to self reflect and grow closer to nature. Don’t let fear stop you from the experiences that white water rafting gives. It brings peace and happiness to all that come into contact go rafting and splash those fears away!

Top 5 Things To Do Flaming Gorge Recreation Area

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Top 5 Things to do when visiting Flaming Gorge

A beautiful place that is a must visit in the Uintah Basin is the one and only Flaming Gorge. This beautiful natural environment gives you so many different and unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There are activities for every personality to enjoy, from the most outdoorsy person to the home body. Narrowing down all that the hardest part of visiting the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area. Here are the top rated adventures of Flaming Gorge.

  1. Boating on Flaming Gorge Reservoir

There are many boating sports activities that can be done on the reservoir. These activities include water skiing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking and many more. The lake itself is a great place for family gatherings or solo adventures.

  1. Visiting Red Canyon Lodge

Red Canyon Lodge is a very popular place for many tourists as well as the locals. It is a great place for a day away from the city or a camping trip. The lodge hosts many activities such as horseback riding, private lake for trout fishing and riding the rental paddle boats. There are also cabins for rent perfect for large or small groups. The Alpine Cabins are open to rent through the Spring and Fall seasons and the Ponderosa Cabins are available for rent any night of the year. 

  1. River Rafting

Another top pick for visiting Flaming Gorge is a one day guided rafting trip down the Green River. Dinosaur River Expeditions provides a single day scenic rafting trip perfect for people looking for a life changing experience. It is an astounding scenic trip with a few super fun class II rapids thrown in this trip is one of Utah’s top single day rafting tours. Dinosaur River also offers 2 or 3 day rafting trips in the Flaming Gorge area for groups of 6 or more. This section of the Green River also provides world renowned fly fishing for trout. There are several excellent fly fishing guide services in the area, it is highly recommended to hire a guide these trout can be tricky to catch. 

Flaming Gorge Green River rafting
Vernal, Utah One Day River Rafting Trip
  1. Flaming Gorge Dam Tour

Learning about the history of Flaming Gorge Dam is very simple thanks to the tour the visitor center provides. This tour is open daily from April 15 to October 15 and the cost is free. During this tour, a movie, a 3-D display, and a walk through are provided for free. The walking tour starts at the dam’s visitor center and takes you down through the internal workings of this massive concrete structure to the base of the dam where the Green River pours out of its inner plumbing. Many great views and excellent information are provided by the Flaming Gorge Dam Tour.

Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center

  1. Hiking

Countless hikes surround the area of Flaming Gorge. The trails all provide a different experience with the widely diverse trail routes and abundance of wildlife. There is a trail for every one of all levels of experience and age. Some of the more popular hikes are the Little Hole Trail, Moonshine Arch, and Bear Canyon. If you don’t want to hike, there are options for biking as well. In the wintertime, many people also use the trails for cross country skiing as well as snow shoeing. For information on hiking the Ashley National Forest can provide you with directions, maps and information to get you to the trail head. 

Flaming Gorge is an amazing place full of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. It is a place for anyone and everyone to enjoy and discover through adventure. Either if it is through hiking, river rafting or any of the other activities, the visit to Flaming Gorge will be worth it.

5 Great Restaurants After Your Utah Rafting Trip

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So you just came off an excursion down one of Utah’s gorgeous rivers. You’ve had camp meals for the past several days. Or maybe just a deli lunch on a day float. Maybe even just a granola bar and some trail mix. Yes, you may have been exposed to sun, wind, possibly even rain I could imagine. You’ve packed and unpacked a boat numerous times, even if it was just this morning and just this evening. Anyway you cut it, you’ve likely worked up an appetite – and not an appetite to do more work. You’re returning to civilization, and while that may be hard it certainly comes with some perks. Perks like near limitless meal options, and someone else preparing the food for you to boot. The only hard part of this equation is where to eat?

 

Dinosaur Brewhaus

If you’re coming out of Dinosaur National Monument after a 4 or 5 day trip on the Green River Gates of Lodore or Yampa River, Vernal Utah boasts several great spots to sate your hunger. One simply shouldn’t leave Vernal without trying out the Dinosaur Brewhaus. It’s simple pub fair, but has a down-home and delicious taste, with complimentary peanuts while you wait, and a variety of Utah beers on hand. They’re used to their fare share of river runners, so come in whatever condition you leave the boat ramp in! 

 

Sabaku Sushi

Say you’re enjoying the day float in Moab, or coming off the monstrous waves of Cataract canyon, Moab is well equipped to meet your gastronomic desires. The unbeatable Sabaku Sushi serves up incredible options from our river running friend and amazing chef Alex Borichevsky. Not only does he know great river running he serves up delectable fresh sushi offerings. This is a Moab favorite.

 

Vernal Brewing Company

Maybe you just finished up a classic Utah 1 day Flaming Gorge Green River trip and are looking for a little more flare to your evening meal. For more variety and atmosphere, the Vernal Brewing Company is top notch. They boast a wide selection of entrees and of course have their locally brewed beer on tap. Try the Little Hole Lager or the local favorite the 50 Caliber IPA, and other craft and domestic beers as well. The brewing operation is a sight to behold, but if you’re hoping for a tour I’d recommend cleaning up a tad before asking about a table.

 

Ray’s Tavern

Coming off of a Desolation Canyon/Grays river trip, you end up in the small town of Green River Utah. Good bang for your buck is Ray’s Tavern, a quaint little eatery that’s got its roots in the river running community. Enjoy burgers and sandwiches all the while marveling at some amazing shots of whitewater from the sports’ long and storied history.

 

Taggart’s Grill

Paddling out of Park City will likely put you on the Weber River, a calm stretch of water that runs along train tracks and highway 84. Raft, kayak, or tube this river (pick up your trash!) and enjoy the Taggart’s Grill at the take out. Taggart’s Grill offers exquisitely crafted sandwiches, soups, and pizzas. They’re in house desserts – like their carrot cake – are out of this world, and their beer selection isn’t too bad to boot. Just remember, no shirt, no shoes, no service.

 

 

Rafting Myth’s

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If you type “whitewater rafting” into You Tube, any number of videos of monstrous haystack waves and major paddle raft carnage will probably show up. The top 10 searches usually contain a paddle raft with eight people being absolutely annihilated, or a single boatman, one moment gripping the oars and in the next completely washed away. While this sort of whitewater rafting asks for a somewhat fearless mindset and an aptitude in body and mind, it is by no means the rule of a rafting trip.

In actuality, a river trip is the perfect setting for people of all ability levels. No really. Here, let me walk you through it. Say it’s a family reunion. Grandma and grandpa, a smattering of nieces and nephews ranging in age from five to starting college, your brother – an avid fly fisherman – and his wife, more the urban socialite than the outdoorsy type. Grandma and grandpa can enjoy the serenity of the water and take in the stunning sights all from the comfort and ease of a stable raft – no paddling on their part required. Little Sally and the younger children can jump in and out of the water, collect sand from every beach on every part of them, while the older kids can challenge themselves on the side hikes and – guides allowing – take on the rapids in inflatable kayaks or even try the hands at the oars (again, guides allowing). Finally, at camp, your sister-in-law can enjoy an iced beverage (no joke) and a warm gourmet meal with a side salad (again, no kidding) and brother bill can fish from the bank to his hearts content.

Still skeptical? Maybe you’re worried about something else. Perhaps you’re thinking your guide will be some craggy bearded man, a beer or cigarette a constant fixture in his hand? Think again. These days your typical guide is much harder to pin down. Some are music teachers, others are college students of one discipline or another. Sure, there’s plenty of ski patrollers and ski bums who make rafting their summer job, but they are by no means all dudes. Girls are guides, and serious fan favorites – just ask little Sally or grandma and grandpa.

Still worried? Worried, perhaps, that you won’t be able to bring that absolute necessity? Won’t be able to pack all the clothing to stay warm, dry, cool, and stay fashionable? Let me assure you, your worries are in vain. A rafting trip is like car camping without the crowds, the noisy cramped campsites, or the wet dogs or bored children in the car. Camp has nearly all the amenities of home, even the kitchen sink (no seriously). Granted, the toilets may not flush, but they have the best views of any water closet you’ll ever use. So throw that sports coat or sleek black dress in a waterproof bag (provided by your outfitter) and enjoy a cocktail on a remote river beach.

A river rafting trip whether it is a one day Utah river rafting excursion on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam or a multi day adventure rafting Colorado’s world famous Yampa River or Green River Gates of Lodore is an absolute treat. A vacation of a lifetime and something the whole family will remember and want to do again and again each summer.

We offer Utah one day rafting trips on the Green River from Vernal, Utah. Also 4 and 5 day Colorado rafting trips on the Yampa River and Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. Debunk the myth’s and come raft Colorado and Utah with us today.

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