Rio Grande

This trip was during 1,700 cfs at Rio Grande Village Guage

This is a beautiful trip of 3 days, 2 nights, 34 miles from Rio Grande Village through 17 miles of Boquillas Canyon to take out at Heath Canyon Ranch.

We paddled 10 miles on the first day which was 2 miles short of our goal due to a delay.

The next morning we were treated to over a dozen donkeys making their way along a trail on the opposite shore. That was a fun thing to see.

Day 2 we paddled 6 river miles that took us through Arroyo Venado Rapid (II-III) with a pushy whirlpool

I ran it paddling my 16' Dagger Delta loaded with approx 90 lbs of gear forward and had no issues.

Night 2 we camped at Canyon el Guero which is also at Rabbit Ears formation. That night we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets that I think I've ever seen, it kept going and going and going. We had plenty of time at this camp so we ate well, got rest and enjoyed where we were for all that it had to offer.

Day 3 was a fun, fast, exhilarating, 17 mile finishing paddle through 2 miles of canyon and 15 miles of desert to Heath Canyon Ranch take out.

I'm glad that I had several trips through Santa Elena Canyon before doing Boquillas. Boquillas is much less forgiving. Both are extremely beautiful in their own way.