Colorado

Canoe Trip Report

Overview:

4 canoeists with 2 tandem canoes paddled Cataract Canyon at ~6500 cfs from Potash to North Wash in 8 days from 10/29-11/5/22. We had 1 OT Tripper (outfitted with thigh straps and bow/stern floats) and 1 rented OT Discovery (with jerry rigged center float). None of us had paddled Cataract previous and relied on scouting and Rivermaps guide.

Whitewater: Of the roughly 33 rapids between miles 212 and 196 we land scouted ~30 of them, portaged 4 (Big drops & 16) and lined 2 (5 & 16). This 16 mile section took us 3 days with ~6 hours on the water each day, much of which was scouting. All of our gear was rigged to flip (attached to d-rings or thwarts). We also placed floats in bow/stern and center hatch. We never dumped or swamped and with running sneak and dry lines nothing felt harder than a III. This felt manageable in open boats for experienced wilderness whitewater canoeists.

Misc: We used 2 x 5 gal jugs with water wizard, gravity filter, and bleach. Used wag bags, human waste dry bag, and 5 gal bucket. Having portage friendly bags were useful (Watershed backpacks, barrel, no cooler, and small kitchen set up, ect.) Drysuits were necessary this time of year with open boats. Pin kit, 3 throw ropes, airbags, painter lines, and bailers were used. Plenty of driftwood and small 12 x 3” fire pan was nice for colder days.

Day by Day:

Day 1-3 (Potash —> Spanish Bottom) We spent the first 3 nights in Meander Canyon staying at Little Bridge, Upper Loop, and Middle Spanish Bottom. Campsite spacing and mileage felt appropriate and still allowed slower mornings and hikes. Hiked at rock art sites, petrified wood, and the Loop.

Day 4 (Spanish Bottom —> XY): Day 1 of whitewater was a good warm up to this canyon style whitewater. Most of these rapids we were able to find a sneak or dry line. We lined Rapid 5 RR. 5 Felt like the first bigger one without a dry line and the line was straightforward.

Day 5 (XY —> Kolb): Long day on the water in and out of boats scouting the 14 sets. The Mile longs are the first time not having great rescue ready washouts. Rapid 15 (Capsize) ran center to R catching RR eddy away from haystacks. Around rapid 16 we attempted to line RRL Boat got briefly pinned between rocks, but was quickly pushed off. No lost gear or larger issues. The 2nd boat ended up portaging over this feature. We portaged Big Drop 1 RR and BD2 RL. Both had lines that may have been paddled, but we were close to sunset and wanted to be conservative. Put in RL after BD2 was rough and both portages were over rocky terrain. Camped at Kolb quickly as sun was setting and rain beginning.

Day 6 (Kolb —> Gypsum): Started day with portage RR around BD3. Clean and easy walking. Rapids continue to need a quick scout and Waterhole (29) proved a bit more difficult without much of an option for a sneak. Both boats took on water but managed the main line L to center. 197.8 rapid (30) also took a good look at. Ended up RL line catching pushy eddy. 30 was the last real rapid. Camped below Gypsum on large (silt free) beach below all the whitewater. Rained all night.

Day 7-8 (Gypsum —> Millie Crag —> North Wash): Last 2 days cold with nights getting down to 25F. Hiked at Dark Canyon. Could have paddled all of this section in 1 day if needed it, but why leave the canyon? Other camping options seemed doable with small sandbars. Silt felt minimal compared with grand canyon. North wash was fine for us even with the steep TO.

Hopefully this helps future canoeists!