Cataract Canyon Raft Trip

Spring Break. The phrase incites feelings of ridiculous shenanigans and classic good times. This spring break just so happened to be one of those times. After deliberating for some time Pat and I decided to go kayaking for break rather than the normal, and expensive, skiing option.
With some thought Pat found Cataract Canyon. Cataract Canyon is on the Colorado river in Utah near Moab, nestled in the heart of Canyon Lands National Park. With beta flowing in at a steady pace we sold the idea to as many people as we could. By the time the trip was set to launch we had 17 people, 5 rafts, 4 kayaks, $1000 in food, and $450 in booze ready to rock Cataract Canyon.
The energy was high the day we put on, with all 17 of us milling about getting the rafts geared up. 15 minutes after the trip was underway the first beers were cracked (luckily it was two days of flat water). The first two days were spent meandering through the canyons enjoying the sunshine and each others company. By the time we got to the rapids the group had begun to embrace the "river-hippie" attitude. Farting, burping, nudity, and copious amounts of alcohol were all encouraged (safely of course). With our riverness kicking in the fun level sky-rocketed. Campfire stories, rough-housing, and general shenanigans were not in short supply. Drrrrr....ok, pause the story for a moment, I'm exhausted. We'll continue this exhilerating epic at a later date. As a closing thought I will leave you with some pictures to ponder.
Ben-



Trip Report
The Colorado River from Potash to Dirty Devil boat ramp is a great early season multiday raft and kayak trip. The weather is usually in the 60's and 70's during March, which makes for a great jump start into the boating season. The trip is a total of 96 miles, and can be done in 5-7 days easily at low flows, and much quicker during peak, which is usually early June or late May. The first 48 miles of scenic flatwater can be done in two long days, and is well worth it in order to spend more days in the rapids. Lathrop canyon makes for a great camp the first night at mile 24, and Spanish Bottoms is a great camp for night two. The Doll House area is a great hike! Once below Spanish Bottoms boat 5 miles of whitewater down to rapid #10. Keeping track of the rapids is easy at low flows, they are distinct pool drops. Camp 10's beach is literally a stones throw from the Brown Town, which offers some of the best surfing in Utah. There is a large eddie on river right, and is hard to miss. The dynamic breaking wave/hole offers endless surf sessions. You'll want to plan at least 2 days to session the wave, it's really that good! After Camp #10 there are about 9 more miles of rapids. Scout when even you feel necessary, About 6.5 miles below Brown Town a rapid named Big drop #3(class IV) has a small line for rafts, scout river left. Most of the other rapids are big frothy class III+/IV's that make for great fun in both rafts and kayaks. Float to Gypsum Canyon or farther, to make an easy day's float to the take out the following day. With current low reservoir conditions on Lake Powell the last 28 miles is now moving quickly, and a motor boat shuttle is no longer necessary.
Pat-