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Three Great River Adventures

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3 BEST Rafting Trips in Utah/Colorado Northern Border

Northeastern Utah and the Colorado border are full of wonders to explore. As John Wesley Powell says, “We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.” 

  1. Gates of Lodore (Green River Section)

Time Commitment is typically 3-4 days

As you enter the narrow and dark maroon walls at the Gates; 4 days of changing scenery and geology are about to blow your mind. You are submitting yourself into the canyon that John Wesley Powell and his crew ventured into without knowing what was ahead.  As you traverse the thrilling rapids with a skilled guide you will get to experience whitewater that is full of splashing water and a unique epic experience.  

Between all the fun whitewater and chilling on the raft observing big horn sheep and other animals in nature. You can pull over and tie off the boat.  Rippling Brook hike takes you to a small waterfall and then on the way back you can venture to the edge of a cliff where you can view the river looking upstream and downstream.  The view is spectacular and will be something you won’t forget. This isn’t the only opportunity for side excursions. Your guides will help you explore the many intricate beauties of Lodore Canyon and all she has to offer.   

  1. Yampa River (Designated Wild and Scenic)

Time Commitment is typically 4-5 days

As you leave the meanders of Deerlodge Park, the put-in for the Yampa River and enter the vast canyon of the wild and scenic chocolate river, you will find the magic and wonder of the place many guides call their summer office. The canyon walls will quickly bombard your mind with amazement. While every essence of your being is siphoned into the flow of the river moving forward in a constant swirling progression. The river will suck your soul in and the journey of how you fall in love with this sacred place has been set in motion. The desert daytime sun will be countered with coolish nights soaking in the cool breeze coming off the fresh runoff water from the Rocky Mountains. After day one you feel like maybe you know what to expect until you hit the long stretch of calm water and the Grand Overhang. Now it’s game on, where does all this slow moving water lead us…in no hurry at all? 

The water all funnels into this narrow opening at the top of a rapid and not just any rapid. But THE rapid, that was formed by a landslide in ’65 and changed this canyon forever, Warm Springs! The rush of water gushing and gurgling as it bellows over the rock we call Maytag makes our experienced stomachs start to churn. The excitement and adrenaline pulse through our bodies and we wave to those left at the rivers’ edge waiting their turn. Double checking all the gear and reminding all to hang on, we slowly enter the tongue and then we are off and before we know it, we are screaming, cheering and maybe even cursing but we are making our way digging our oars in with every ounce of strength we can muster.  Phew we made it and we throw our hands in the air and let out an elated, HELL YEAH!  

And that’s not all. Don’t leave out all the cool stops to the Ancient Indigenous Artwork and granaries from the Fremont Culture. Taking this exhilarating ride will provide you with great food, entertainment, culture and all the natural wonder you could want in a 4-5 day trip. 

The Gates of Lodore and the Yampa River are two escapes from the fast paced world that start and end near Vernal, UT and actually takes you through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument.  Now that’s a place many don’t get to see!  

  1. Green River A,B,C Section (Below Flaming Gorge Dam)

Time commitment is typically 1-3 days (or more if your heart desires)

These pieced out sections can be several one day trips or turned into a 2 night, 3 day excursion. This is hands down one of the most beautiful one day stretches around. Located below the Flaming Gorge dam, you put-in and can go. This is a great place to tackle some world class trout fishing and have some fun on a mellow low-key whitewater river. This scenic float along the Green River has some fun class 2 rapids perfect for an introduction to river rafting. Almost all ages can come and enjoy a day on the water. A picnic included can provide a chance to explore some of the small beaches and play in the cold water on a hot summer day. 

The world class fishing alone brings thousands of people to visit and explore this section of the Green River every summer. A Utah one day river rafting trip is a great way to get out and adventure with the family if you aren’t quite committed to the high adventure of a longer 4 or 5 day trip. There are takeout’s between each section making it easy to lengthen or shorten your trip based on your needs.

I encourage those seeking a great thrill to consider these three options. It could be a time to escape the chaos of the world noise and enter the magic of nature through the veins and arteries that give the earth life and may be a renewal to yours. 

-Kassie Robbins

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.

White Water Rafting Myths

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10 Common Whitewater Myths

  1. It’s only for athletic outdoor enthusiasts.

Think again! You don’t have to be in the best shape of your life or be completely in love with the outdoors. Being willing to try something new with a good attitude is much of what is required when taking a trip down a river. 

2. Being an excellent swimmer is required.

Being able to swim is not imperative, we wear personal floatation devices that will create buoyancy. It’s not even required to go swimming. There is definitely a great possibility to go swimming if you want to.  In some cases, there may be more time in the water but that’s something you should check on with the company you sign up for.

3. All we do is paddle.

Well, that’s funny! You would think that is all we do after all we are going rafting. The different rivers run by Dinosaur River Expeditions have various opportunities for paddling but equally offer time to sit back and relax and let the guides do the work. We offer oar rafts where the guides do the work, paddle rafts where you participate and inflatable kayaks and SUP’s (stand up paddle boards) where appropriate. There are also incredible side hikes, chances to relax in the shade and enjoy the solitude and just all around unplug.

4. It’s too dangerous.

There is absolutely a level of danger rafting through the canyons of Dinosaur National Monument or Flaming Gorge. With that said, our trained guides do all they can to mitigate the dangers involved. 

5. It’s the same on every river.

No river is created the same. Our two favorite river sections happen to found in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument. The Green River Gates of Lodore is painted with red walls, narrow canyons, and sporty rapids. While the Yampa River is molded with tall walls of layered sandstone and wide river passages, slow meanders and splashy rapids. You will find that all rivers have something majestic to offer.  

6.You have to camp.

While overnight rafting opportunities with beautiful campsites near the rivers edge are available, you can find serene day stretches that literally require you to show up and go. The Green River section below the Flaming Gorge Dam is one of the most peaceful and beautiful day stretches with world class trout fishing. This is one of Utah’s most popular one day river rafting trips perfect for just about anybody looking for a scenic river adventure. 

7. Camp food; hot dogs on a stick is all we get.

I can assure you that river menus are nothing short of exquisite. You will likely not eat this good again in the outdoors. We provide gourmet meals such as BBQ chicken with all the trimmings followed up with yummy desserts like pineapple upside down cake. A dinner on the shore of the river will leave you with a full belly and happy memories. Its hard to believe we can haul all the goods for a classy meal on the beach. However, it’s true we do!    

8. The guide will make or break your trip.

The guides do provide opportunities for good experiences. If the guide is all you are betting on for a good experience, that may leave you disappointed because having a good experience is also the responsibility of the person. The guides try to put on a good time but even they can’t control all the components of the wilderness. One’s attitude can make or break an experience. Have a positive great attitude and understand you are going out into the wilderness. Bring an expedition mindset, ask questions in advance and have the time of your life.   

9. I have to use the bathroom, it’s weird.

Different for sure, weird nah! You just have to have an open mind. We are in the wilderness. We make the bathroom experience on the river as pleasurable as we can.  In fact, on overnight trips we have beautiful scenery for a relaxing moment away from the rest of camp to reflect and do you know what.  There is always an explanation to help those who are anxious and often a guide will be more than happy to ease some of that stress by talking in confidence about your concerns.  

10. All companies are created equal.

Each company provides a special and unique wilderness experience. Different companies may run different rivers and sections and use a variety of watercrafts from a big pontoon motorized boat, rubber raft to a fiberglass dory. Some companies are locally owned and operated while others are more global or commercially operated. Though this may be the case, finding a good feel for your personal experience and what you are desiring is important. Research the areas you are thinking about rafting, find out what other opportunities are in the area, read reviews and book your adventure of a lifetime.  

5 Great Podcasts For Outdoor Enthusiasts

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5 Great Podcasts for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Eddy Out with Natali Zollinger

Natali Zollinger does an amazing job of bringing the river community together. From rafting, kayaking, swift water safety, stand up paddle boarding, gear and more she captures stories of old-time legends and folks who love the river and community that surrounds the magic of the river. This is a great way to feel like you are having a real down to earth chat with someone on the beach at camp, paddling downstream or sitting around the campfire. Natali has worked on many of the rivers in the west including several sections of the Colorado River and our favorites the Green River Gates of Lodore and Yampa River near Vernal, Utah.  Her ability to connect with the river community comes from a deep love and appreciation for the experiences that happen while moving downstream.

 

Outside Podcast – 

This Fun and upbeat podcast is sponsored by Outdoor Magazine and PRX. There are interesting interviews and information about innovations like the sports bra. They share some historical and scientific news from Outside magazine with an intriguing vocal component. There is exciting survival stories shared about cold weather conditions, lightning strikes, and finding bodies in the desert from dehydration. This podcast series will keep you captivated episode after episode.

Dirtbag Diaries – 

Adventures of the dreamers, athletes, and wanderers are shared in this fun and spunky podcast. The stories relate to many of the challenges of the outdoors in a way that go deeper. Giving you a glimpse into ways the outdoors connect with your everyday life. The Dirtbag’s storytelling is a way for them to share real life-inspired adventures that bring people closer to the outdoors. We are all between Dirtbag adventures and scheming about how to get to the next expedition!

Outside Voices –

This podcast honors stories and gives a voice to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, folks with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and any others that may be changing the way the world views diversity and the outdoors. It is a great podcast to help with a culture of inclusion and equity giving the listeners an opportunity to feel the importance of shedding what we think we know and becoming more open-minded and aware of those around us while spending time in the outdoors.

She Explores –

I have spent many of my 15 years as a female whitewater raft guide in Dinosaur National Monument running the majestic Gates of Lodore and wild Yampa River as well in southern Utah on the Colorado River. These years of experience have given me much time to reflect on what keeps me coming back. Connecting my body and soul with the outdoors has given me the freedom that is desired in our ever so tied down world. The love that comes from the magic of the river continues to bring me the peace I seek in life. This podcast brings many women of diverse backgrounds, ages, and races together, all while discovering our love of nature. As a mother of 3 young children I get excited when I hear of other women living their outdoor dreams. This podcast will not disappoint the eager outdoor enthusiast who enjoys celebrating women connected to the earth.  

Enjoy these podcasts and dream of your next outdoor adventure. Whether that is a daily rafting in Utah on the Green River or mountain biking fast single track in the Vernal, Utah desert we hope you find inspiration in the great stories shared on these podcasts.   

Rafting Adventures Rock!

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5 Reasons Green River Gates of Lodore and Yampa River Rafting Adventures Rock

 

  1. QUIET

We live in a world full of noise! That noise comes from all around us, our family schedules, our jobs, societal issues good and bad, worldly news and anything else that adds to the noise in our life. I love my time on the Green and Yampa Rivers. Rafting these canyons of Dinosaur National Monument gives me a chance to sit in a quiet and serene wildness. In a world where we carry one of the noisiest things with us at all times, we get to put the cell phone down and leave the video games at home when we traverse and raft these wild river canyons in Colorado and Utah.  

These two rivers in particular have given me the special time to mediate. I particularly find myself in a rhythm on the raft listening to nature and the repetitive movement of dipping and pulling of the oars. It allows me to be completely present. Being present in this life can be hard with all the daily distractions. Giving myself this space of quiet is a beautiful and very unique experience which I treasure.

  1. UNCROWDED

Wow! This world is becoming ever so crowded, and as good and great as many of those opportunities are in the busyness, the crowds are a major turn off for me. Waiting in the grocery store line or a traffic jam is not a fun and stress-free way to spend time.  

Though we see other folks and groups along these rivers, it is not crowded like the big city. Adventures to our national parks and monuments can be varied depending on the time of year and activities you are seeking out. Springtime in the desert of Utah is a prime example of everyone getting rid of cabin fever and bounding out to see the state’s incredible national parks. The beauty of a river rafting trip through Dinosaur Monument is it is a permitted rafting section with a select number of people allowed to go each day. Alas no crowds!

When I launch on my boat into the vast canyons of The Gates of Lodore or the Yampa River Canyon I know it is going to be my boat, the people I left with and an occasional run in with some other river loving, serenity seeking folks. Avoiding crowds isn’t a problem because just by going on the river the crowds are left behind!

  1. WILD

The Green River and Yampa have some hidden gems that give me moments to experience the wild it has to offer. The very definition of the noun “wild” is a natural state or uncultivated or uninhabited region. I believe these rivers tucked in the deep canyons is the very essence of WILD. The rivers offer wildlife like Big Horn Sheep, Deer, Moose, River Otters, Beavers, Endangered and Unendangered Fish Species, and one of my personal favorites is the birds of prey like Bald and Golden Eagles. I have yet to experience a River trip down these corridors without seeing something wild.  

The Rapids are created by natural causes of rocks moving into the river through states of weathering and erosion.  This has created the exhilarating whitewater that pumps my adrenaline and gives me a feeling of accomplishment when I arrive at the bottom. The Green River has some really fascinating river history involving the infamous John Wesley Powell and other early explorers. Their perspective can really give insight to how WILD it really can be!

Another magnificent way to experience the WILD is hiking off the river to places like waterfalls such as Butt Damn Falls (Ely Creek) or Rippling Brook Falls.

Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1915 by Woodrow Wilson and only had about 80 acres encompassing the Fossil Quarry. In 1938 President Franklin D. Roosevelt enlarged the monument to over 210,000 acres mainly to include the two river corridors. Most of the Monument is actually the Rivers and the surrounding canyons. The majority of which cannot be accessed by car.  Now that’s wild AND ROCKS if I must say so myself.

  1. SCENIC

Fascinating geology means old rocks and ancient rock art both of which are two really amazing reasons to explore these places.  There are over 23 rock layers that can be seen in Dinosaur National Monument.  Many of those layers are exclusively seen by river because they are exposed in those regions.  These layers are from the Precambrian era (1,100 Million Years ago) to the Miocene Era (25-10 Million Years ago.) These layers are part of 1.2 billion years of extinct ecosystems and is one of the most complete stratigraphic displays in one place. Now that’s cool!  

The sunsets and sunrises over the canyons are exemplary.  

The ancient rock art comes from the Ancient Fremont Culture from around 700-1400 A.D.  They were nomadic people and moved around. They had specific places they would return to at different times of the year. The rock art is a bonus to those places and often gives me perspective to what my life is like and what the people of those days experienced. 

  1. UNIQUE  To give some perspective. These rivers are an unique opportunity for folks who are willing to make it a priority and put it on their bucket list of experiences. Why is it unique? For one, these rivers are on a lottery system and only a small number of people with the proper experience and gear are going to be able to traverse these river canyons every summer if they are lucky to draw one of the coveted permits for the Yampa River of Gates of Lodore Green River canyons. The other unique opportunity is the concessionaire system where people without or with experience can hire a professional outfitter to guide them on their adventure.

The chances are limited for folks to be able to make it down there without some help.  

Commercial river companies like Vernal, Utah’s Dinosaur River Expeditions have something for everyone by giving them the chance to experience the world class Wild and Scenic Rivers and their surrounding canyons with lots of kid and adult friendly activities and great food!  The company provides amazing all-inclusive bucket list vacations that will rock your world. I’m IN!

River Rafting With Kids

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What to Expect While Rafting the Upper Green River with your Kids?

As a mother of three rambunctious little kids getting outside is a necessity in the summer. We love playing in the dirt and going swimming on hot summer days. We are lucky to live in Vernal, Utah with so many beautiful outdoor opportunities close to town. We have Dinosaur National Monument, multiple state parks, lots of incredible desert and the gorgeous Uinta mountains all outside our backdoor. One of our families most favorite things to do is visit the Flaming Gorge area and go whitewater river rafting. We really enjoy going on Section A of the Green River, launching our raft right below the dam. A day on the river gives us the chance to play in the dirt and get wet! Utah and Colorado have a lot of white water river rafting opportunities, but for a great Utah one day raft trip this is a wonderful place to go.

Safety

I have been guiding on whitewater sections for over 15 years. Safety is my number one priority when it comes to playing on the river. We wear personal flotation devices and talk about the important safety precautions needed while being near bodies of water, especially moving water.  We do a safety talk and check for understanding. My kids have been going with me on this section of river below Flaming Gorge Dam since they were tiny tiny. This particular area on the Green River is a great spot to introduce newbies to the adventure of river travel.  

Feel Goods

I have two little boys who love to be involved with all things rafting and river. Our little girl loves the rush of fun. We make sure to bring our water bottles, swimsuits, sunscreen, fishing supplies, rain gear and water guns. We row down the river and splash the other boats as we go by, the kids laugh and duck for cover.  

Having a picnic on the side of the river at one of the beaches is one of the kid’s favorite things to do when we go. Though the yummy lunch is great, the kids are actually really looking forward to being able to run the beach, throw rocks, inspect bugs, bury their feet in the sand and try to catch minnows in their hat. 

My middle son, age 6, loves using his hat to swipe through the water swirling in the eddy at the lunch spot trying to catch as many minnows as he can. His efforts often get countered by his 3-year old sister who runs into the water laughing, splashing and throwing sticks! My oldest son, age 8, usually pulls out his fishing pole and patiently watches the beautiful Rainbow Trout hovering in the water. He is hopeful that it will bite!

Rapids

Let’s not forget the exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the swift water.  My kids love the thrill of the faster moving water with white caps rolling backwards. They hoot and holler, “Go big Mom, hit that one, wahoo!”

My kids know what it means to T-UP.  It means to straighten the boat up, so it forms a T to the wave rolling backward. It is so the boat pushes through the big wave and stays up right! 

Scenery

This section of the Green River has a beautiful crisp clear color because the water is being released from the bottom of the Flaming Gorge Dam. The dark purple Precambrian Uinta Mountain Group block canyon walls are staring down at you from up high. The beautiful ponderosa pine trees create shady break spots. The sun glistens on the water. At times we see Great Blue Herons lurking on rocks and waiting to be startled to flight. Sometimes a deer or two will pop out of the tall green grass off the banks of the river. Kids love seeing the different animals making their way through the canyon on their own time.

Lessons Learned

I am naturally a venturesome person and have such a great desire to pass along this adventure of rafting to my children for them to enjoy as they grow up. We spend a lot of time on the water and in the outdoors and I try to teach my kids the Leave No Trace principles to help maintain the beauty of the environment.

From picking up our crumbs after eating lunch to being gentle to the surroundings. My kids know that we are supposed to leave things as we found them. 

After a few beginner trips down this fun and mellow section, my kids now feel like they need to row the boat. We let them with my assistance! I help them learn how to read the water and use the oars. They especially love being able to row through the little rapids. It makes them feel accomplished and builds their confidence as I guide them through the process.

What Can You do?

If you are looking to take your kids on a river trip in the summer. I can attest that a guided tour of the Upper Green River will be beautiful, exciting, and something you and your family will never forget. Come join us with your kids and rest easy and know you are going to have fun.  

Dinosaur River Expeditions and a Utah single day rafting trip is a great way to introduce your family to a new vacation favorite!

Grateful!

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Here we are relaxing on a beautiful Thanksgiving morning in Vernal, Utah reflecting on what makes us grateful in our lives. With all of the turmoil 2020 and the COVID pandemic has caused for each us we have found it is even more important and relevant in our lives to surround ourselves with wonderful people. We have been so fortunate to have so many amazing employees here at Dinosaur River Expeditions. All of these incredible folks have become like family for us and we look forward to their smiling faces arriving each spring for a new rafting season. Because of these great employees we have fantastic guests that join us on our rafting trips. Many of these guests return year after year and the love they have developed for the rivers we float is contagious and reminds us of why we do what we do as a big happy river family. The off season is very quite around the Dinosaur warehouse, the boats are stored away, the vehicles are parked and idle but it does not take away from the memories we have created and the new ones that are in the near future. As you and your friends and family enjoy your holidays this season take a minute to be thankful for what makes you happy in life and cherish those moments. With all of our differences, the stress of the new normal we hope that everyone in our giant circle of friends and family is able to find their piece of happiness.

Thank you from your Dinosaur River Expeditions family.

“Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.” Brother Daven Steindl-rast

 

Outdoor Recreation Classes Through Schools

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Why Schools Should Include Adventure Sports Activities In Their Curriculum

Sir John Lubbock once stated, “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” This statement is more true now than ever.  Today’s society has lost this form of education through time and often only relies on a curriculum based in a classroom setting. The lack of these learning adventures is limiting the growth and knowledge that is only experienced through experiences in nature. Many educators are unaware of the numerous benefits that can be attained  through adventure sports activities. Students often are unable to see how the classroom lessons of biology, chemistry and many other topics have to do with the real life outside world. There is no better way to understand a lesson or a topic than using a hands on experience. Outdoor adventures will not only be fun and exciting but will allow an excess of both worlds to come together. The classroom will forever be changed as soon as students are able to see the science come to life. 

Our local high school Uintah High, offers an incredible outdoor recreation program taught by Mr. Hoffart. Hoffart has designed a unique curriculum based on his experiences and time as a student at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) as a student. Through these prior experiences Mr. Hoffart teaches his students a multitude of skills that will help them pursue their own outdoor adventure sports. Some of the students favorite subjects taught are backpacking, fishing, mountain biking and white water rafting. The white water rafting trip is sponsored by Vernal, Utah’s locally owned and operated Dinosaur River Expeditions. Dinosaur River takes the students and staff on their one day Green River rafting trip. Dinosaur’s philosophy is we need to foster and provide recreational options for the community’s youth, these students need to know and see what is in their backyard. Not only does the course teach specific skills but provides an introduction to preserving open space and leave no trace ethics while exploring the great outdoors. The outdoor recreation class at Uintah High School is only one example of the many opportunities that are available for youth to get outside classroom and learn new and valuable skills.  

Not only are there academic benefits to these adventures, but emotional and social benefits increase tremendously as well. Being able to connect with the outdoor world allows an abundance of stress to be taken away. Studies have shown that most students develop high levels of stress very early in life. With these high levels of stress there are minimal healthy outlets to help relieve themselves. Providing a class in an outdoor setting will teach the students a coping method that can be used not only during school but throughout their lives. The students emotional health increases as stress is taken away as well their self esteem grows throughout the process. Being able to attend these classes allows the student to learn new skills, become more confident in their own abilities, and increase their emotional health and wellbeing as well. The social aspect built upon in these adventures can become life long friendships. Throughout adventuring, there comes times when the answer is not as easy as 2+2 but takes problem solving. Trying new things and working together as a team with their peers starts to help their social abilities flourish. This learned attribute can be used in the workforce later in life as they start working with different coworkers, providing customer service, working through challenging situations that are experienced in the workplace.

One of the most important factors that these adventure sports activity classes will teach students is the importance of the environment. The lack of education on the environment is what causes the problems that the world faces today, such as waste, the lack of preservation, and minimal conservation. Teaching students the magnificence that the world has for them starts with taking care of the environment around them. The list of positives goes on and on for these classes to be added to a regular curriculum. The change needs to be made for future generations to understand the importance of our wild spaces and the need to protect and preserve open space.  

If your child’s school offers an outdoor recreation program take advantage of the incredible doors it will open through a classroom based in nature. If not take a look at programs in your area that may provide the skills to help your child grow in ways the classroom cannot provide. 

48 Hours In Dinosaurland

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48 Hours in Dinosaur Land

You only have a short weekend or a quick couple of days that you will be visiting Vernal, Utah AKA Dinosaurland. What to do? How can you best use your short window of time in an area with so many incredible options. Let us the local’s help direct your time so you get the most out of your visit.

As a river rafting company obviously we recommend taking a Utah one day scenic river rafting trip. We offer a great beginner, family friendly raft outing on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. This trip has been rated as one of Utah’s top single day river rafting tours. We are obviously a little biased since this is our backyard but we do want to share this incredible stretch of river with you and your family or friends. 

The world famous “Wall of Bones” is a must if you are making the journey to Dinosaurland. The “Wall of Bones” or fossil quarry is located on the Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument. This is the main visitors center for Dinosaur National Monument with great displays, interpretative information and fantastic scenery.  

48 Hours In Dinosaurland

Paddle boarding at Red Fleet State Park. Red Fleet located 15 minutes north of Vernal is a miniature Lake Powell. There is a wakeless zone on the north end of the lake making it a perfect area to paddle board, kayak, canoe, swim. If you are feeling brave there are a couple of areas for a little cliff jumping, just make sure to okay it with the park rangers before taking the plunge.

Looking to put a little wind in your hair? Try out the spectacular single track mountain bike trails. McCoy Flats is the most popular riding area with a wide variety of trails for riders of all levels from the first time mountain bike rider to expert riders looking to push their skills. While out riding at McCoy Flats watch for the Antelope hiding out among the sage. Need a little more information about riding in the area Grail Cycles located downtown Vernal has the knowledge you need. 

48 Hours In Dinosaurland

A fun hike that does not take too long is Moonshine Arch. Located north of Vernal about 10 minutes on highway 191 this hike is a fun walk not too strenuous to some beautiful natural sandstone arches. This can be a hot hike I recommend taking it early or late in the day and bring plenty of water.

You make it the first part of July make time for the Dinosaur Round Up Rodeo. This is part of the professional rodeo circuit with some of the best PRCA cowboys and cowgirls coming from all over the United States and the world to participate. These athletes are incredibly talented and you will not be disappointed in the live action provided at this rodeo.

You are not going to fit all the great activities into a short 48 hours in Dinosaurland but hopefully this gives you a few ideas of where to start planning your next adventure. Have questions on a white water rafting trip let us know as the only locally owned river rafting outfitter in the area we have a lot of great suggestion and will be happy to help you with your questions.

Visit Utah Film Trip

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Each raft trip we guide along the Green and Yampa Rivers are unique and special in their own way. Whether this be the great people that you meet, the animals you see, scenery, rapids or any number of things along the way each trip is truly special. One trip that stood out for me during the 2019 summer season was a film trip with Visit Utah. Visit Utah is the state of Utah’s travel and tourism marketing department. Visit Utah reached out to us to help guide and host a film trip with the sole purpose of getting high quality video and photography to market Dinosaur National Monument and river rafting along the Green River Gates of Lodore. Visit Utah is promoting lesser known areas of Utah to tourists looking to see the spectacular sights we have here. They are also looking to promote local guide and outfitters in these lesser known areas. As Vernal, Utah’s only locally owned and operated outfitter we were the chosen company. The end results of this co op after six months of editing and refining the video and photos is nothing less than stunning and world class. Visit Utah and there team did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Dinosaur Monument and what it maybe like to take a river rafting trip along the route of the Green River. This section of the Green River through the Gates of Lodore canyon begins its journey in Colorado’s Brown Park region. With that said most commercial rafting trips begin and end their adventures in Vernal, Utah.

The trip started out as usual with a pre trip meeting at our Vernal, Utah office meeting the guests and film crew, getting them oriented as to what to expect the next four days and providing them with dry bags for day gear and camp time gear. This meeting also provided us an opportunity to learn about what the KNHO film crew would need from us to successfully accomplish their vision while traversing the river canyon. We learned a lot at this meeting and were able to prepare with adequate dry boxes and storage systems for the multitude of cameras, laptops, chargers, solar panels and assorted gear that was required to obtain the high quality footage they took.

The guests were an incredible family that were full of life and excitement wanting to experience as much of the river trip as possible. Nushin (mom) and her three children Layla, Noah and Eesa were chosen from an online audition process to be the focus family in the final film. This family was a great choice, their sense of adventure lent itself perfectly to all the possibilities found on a multi day rafting trip. Each person was excited to hike, swim, try their hand at inflatable kayaks or stand up paddle boarding. Which all lined up perfectly with the story that the producer had envisioned for the films story line. Nushin followed up after the four day trip with a great write up of her and her families experience visiting Dinosaur National Monument and going on their first big river rafting excursion.

Check out her write up here. https://www.visitutah.com/articles/utah-family-rafting-dinosaur-national-monument/

Visit Utah Film Trip
4 day family guided rafting trip through the Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah. https://www.jeremiahwattphotography.com/

The film crew was a fun group of characters (in a good way, they all had awesome personalities) with some neat backgrounds in the film arts. Sandra Salvas was the trips producer and organized the components for the film crew. Mike Eldredge of KNHO was the films director and a camera man, Austin Balls was the second camera man and Tony Hagerdorn was the photographer. This crew like I mentioned before knew their stuff. The equipment they brought along was Hollywood quality filming gear, single lenses that cost upwards of $10,000.00, super powerful laptops to download each days footage, really cool solar powered generator from Utah’s own Goal Zero. We knew they were good, because we had the opportunity to view previous works on Utah adventures where they captured the essence of mountain biking the Bears Ear National Monument area, horse back riding in Monument Valley, snow skiing the Wasatch Mountain range. All of the film we viewed in advance was beautifully done.

As always, we the crew departed Vernal in the early dark am hours for Brown’s Park Colorado where we would start our four day journey. After a 2 hour drive we arrived at the Gates of Lodore put in where we unloaded the rig truck and trailer load of gear and began preparing the rafts for the guests and film crew to arrive. This process is not quick and can be quite laborious. It takes a lot of gear and the gear can be heavy, cumbersome to move around on a sandy beach and awkward. This part of the trip has to occur to make all the magic happen, without fully rigged rafts it is tough to take a rafting trip. When all the heavy lifting is done there is always a little downtime between having the rafts ready and when the guests arrive. This is guide time where they get to take care of themselves. Brushing teeth, putting on sunscreen, finishing coffee and breakfast the basics that keep them healthy and functioning well. Guide time becomes very valuable as the summer progresses and the wear and tear of sun, sand and water take their toll on a body.

Once the guests arrive everything goes fairly quick from loading the last bits of gear to securing life jackets and safety speech. You are off the van and on to a river adventure in a small whirlwind of time. This is where for me as a guide of 25 years, the trip took a turn and became really interesting. The interesting turn was the artistic aspect that was brought along by the film crew. As an artist and art teacher it was fascinating to work with the crew in setting up the perfect shots, finding the vantage point that really highlighted the scenery and wilderness found in Dinosaur National Monument. These guys are pro’s, their work is all over Hollywood, the internet, You Tube channels with millions of views. They knew what type of imagery they wanted and were meticulous in obtaining it. The film crew had their own boat that was able to leap frog the rafts and set up in advance to take video and photos. At times the film boat would be an hour or so ahead of us while the film crew would take hikes up above the canyon floor. Sometimes hiking 500 vertical feet or so above us to get some of the most incredible aerial views I have ever seen of Lodore Canyon. This process became rather quick and seamless as we all became a tight crew working on this film project together.

Throughout the filming process, Sandra and her crew amazed us constantly with high tech and low tech camera gear. All the while they were excellent at answering our layman questions as to what this equipment was and why they chose different cameras, lenses or apparatus for particular shots. The tools that really amazed me were all of the Go Pro sports camera accessories. I have several Go Pro cameras and dabble with taking video and photos with some success. The accessories they brought along were game changers in taking action footage. A camera mount you hold in your teeth, this one gets perfect point of view video. A camera housing that takes perfect video at the water level. This half round contraption allowed the camera to have clear focus under and above the water at the same time. All cool items that showed their use when the video was edited out and the awesome shots that they got using these cool tools.

Overall the filming trip had great weather, water levels were perfect, group dynamics were spot on and it was wonderful experience for all of us. The end results are beautiful photographs and extremely high quality video that is fun to watch. After six months of waiting patiently to see the end product we could not be more proud of the whole teams collaboration to create a wonderful artistic work. Thank you must go out to the entire Visit Utah team and Nushin and her family from the Dinosaur River Expeditions crew.

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