Canoeing, Hiking, and Rock Art of Labyrinth Canyon, Green River, Utah

The Trip

Paddle a two-person canoe on the lower Green River as it slices through the reddish-orange sandstone cliffs of Labyrinth and Horseshoe canyons near Canyonlands National Park. Launching from Green River State Park, we begin to meander peacefully downstream to the rhythm of dipping paddle strokes and settle into river time. The canyon grows deeper with every twist of the river as cliff walls rise sharply from the river’s edge, displaying a rainbow of colors with the changing light of the day. Listen quietly and you will begin to hear the sounds of the desert, the soft wind in a cottonwood tree, the shriek of a peregrine falcon or the rumble of rock as a Desert Bighorn sheep comes down to the river at dusk. Our 68-mile guided paddle is considered the premier calm water canoe trip in the Southwest.

If time permits, we'll do as many hikes as possible. We'll be camping in beautiful riverside campsites amidst large cottonwood and box elder trees for shade. Many of our campsites are accessible only from the Green River.

On the water we’ll paddle past the vertical cliffs of the Carmel, Navajo, Wingate, and Monenkopi rock formations. These are some of the famous rock layers found in nearby Canyonlands and Arches national parks. The walls will light up with a distinct glow at sunset, often preceded by a brief afternoon thunderstorm and rainbow. This is a very remote desert wilderness with few man-made intrusions. The days are warm, so swims are a welcome addition to the day’s activities.

Ancient Fremont and more recently Ute Indians lived in these canyons as evidenced by cliff dwellings, rock art, and granaries. Almost every major side canyon along the river has Indian rock art, chipped petroglyphs, and painted pictographs. Anthropomorphs, desert animals, and daily life are portrayed on the stone. During this outing, a special emphasis is placed on learning about the area’s Native culture, history, and stunning natural resources. You’ll also be following in the paddle strokes of Dennis Julian, a fur trapper who traveled the river by canoe and left his signatures in 1836. He was followed later by Major John Wesley Powell in 1869 whose expedition rowed heavy oak boats, recorded detailed scientific information, and named many of the prominent landscape features. 

Labyrinth Canyon has a mellow current and minor riffles, and no major rapids (rated Class II). Our two-person canoes should be able to pass through the canyons without great difficulty, but you’ll need to paddle through the flat water sections. This makes it an ideal trip for persons who are active outdoors and experienced campers, but who may have little or no previous canoeing experience. More experienced canoeists will enjoy rhythmic paddling, the spectacular scenery, and the stories told by our expert guides. Participants will share a canoe with another person, help to carry group gear in their canoe, and assist in loading and unloading group equipment at camp. This is a shared experience.

Camping is done on large sandbars or at the mouth of side canyons. It is hot in the afternoon, with highs in the upper 80s and cooler in the morning with low temperatures in the 50s. We’ll float in the river often to cool off and drink lots of provided water to stay hydrated. We follow Leave No Trace guidelines for desert river corridors to minimize our impact on this fragile environment, including using chemical toilets for solid human waste. There will be no plumbed or pit toilets available on the river. Sun protection is also very important. A complete checklist of what to bring will be provided by your leader upon acceptance. All meals are included from lunch on day two to lunch on day seven. Every meal has fresh ingredients and ample quantities.

During this shoulder season, we avoid the extreme heat of mid-summer without sacrificing warm weather and water. It's possible to have summer-like sun or cool days; rain, sometimes heavy; and ghostly morning fog. Do not make plans to leave the area on the last day of the trip in case we are delayed. Instead, join the group for a no-host celebration dinner after we get back to the town of Green River, Utah.

Please note, the trip price does not include gratuities for the river guides. Gratuities are entirely voluntary and solely at your discretion, but they are customary. The guides work hard day and night to make this trip as memorable and fulfilling for you as possible. If you agree they worked hard and contributed significantly to the success and enjoyment of your outing, you may want to express your appreciation with a tip. A guideline of 9-18% of the trip price per guest is appropriate. Your Sierra Club trip leader does not share any portion of the gratuity; leaders are unpaid volunteers and cannot accept them.

Day 1: Plan to arrive in Green River, UT no later than noon for our first day's adventures. We begin with a tour of the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River, and then either explore nearby rock art or take a hike depending on time, weather, and group interest. Later that evening we will have a mandatory trip orientation meeting. Detailed meeting place will be provided in pre-trip letters.

Day 2: We meet our outfitter at Green River State Park, where our river journey begins. We will receive a safety orientation, basic paddling instruction for those who wish, and a demonstration on the best way to load our canoes. Then we’re off on our 68-mile descent downriver. A stop for lunch on a pretty beach will be next, then on to camp by mid-afternoon. Canoes will be unloaded as a group activity, and everyone can set up their tents while the guides assemble the kitchen and begin dinner preparations.

Days 3-6: After eating a hearty breakfast and breaking down camp, we begin our first full day on the river. The San Rafael River flows into the Green, giving us more water and the opportunity to paddle through a confluence. As the river cuts deeper into the rock formations, the walls rise above us, revealing the multitude of layers and colors of stone laid down millions of years ago. We will stop at the Trin Alcove and continue on into Labyrinth Canyon. Highlights include Bowknot Bend (where the river makes a complete loop coming back to a point only a few hundred yards from where it passed some seven miles upstream), Hell Roaring Canyon, and Horseshoe Canyon. Ancestral Puebloan rock art, called petroglyphs, is seen in several areas, and granaries are common along the canyon walls. Historic sites include the outlaw cabin supposedly used by Butch and Sundance in their horse thieving days, and Register Rock, where explorers and trappers left inscriptions dating as far back as 1836.

Day 7: Our final day on the river will pass through more spectacular scenery as we come to the take-out at Mineral Bottom after lunch. Gear will be transferred from canoes to trailers and then we begin the 900-foot ascent up the Horsethief Trail in our shuttle vehicles. This is a very steep and precarious switchbacked one-lane dirt road, 1.5 miles long, where we can take one last look at the river from the top. We should be back in Green River before dark. Note: If there has been heavy rain, Mineral Bottom road becomes impassable for shuttle vehicles and the end of our trip will be somewhat delayed.

Tipping: Tips are not included in the trip price. However, you may feel the guides have earned a gratuity for their hard work to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

Getting There

You are responsible for getting to and from our meeting places in Green River, UT. You can fly directly to Moab's small airport, or you can fly into either Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, CO and drive from there. Green River is 32 miles from the Moab Airport, 102 miles from Grand Junction, CO, and 181 miles from Salt Lake City. Detailed directions to the meeting places and a map will be provided after acceptance onto the trip. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

There are a number of hotel and camping options in Green River, UT. Recommendations will be provided by your trip leader.

Well-balanced meals with quality fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables are provided on the river from lunch on day two to lunch on day seven. The guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of dishes. Breakfasts range from cereals and fruit to eggs and potatoes. Lunches usually are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners are cooked and include tasty items like chicken, salads and pasta. Coffee, tea, and juice mix are provided at breakfast, with lemonade or a similar drink available at lunch. If you have a special dietary need, please inform the leader upon enrollment. It may not be possible to meet all special dietary requests, but the sooner the request is received, the better the chance. Space is limited in the canoes, so all participants must restrict what they bring and share in carrying group food and gear in their canoe.

The river scenery provides plenty of highs. For your safety and the safety and enjoyment of others, drinking alcohol is not allowed during the day while on the river. No soda or alcoholic drinks are provided. However, you may bring a six-pack of your favorite soda or other beverages in plastic bottles or cans for camp.

Trip Difficulty

Elevation at the start is 4,000 feet. We paddle 12-18 miles per day. It is suitable for hardy individuals with varied camping experience. Previous canoeing experience is not required. Minimum age for this trip is 12. Thunderstorms are possible at any time. The water will be cool and great for swimming (life jackets must be kept on in the river and on boats). Past trips have taught us to be prepared for anything from hot, dry, and calm, to wet, windy and cool. Our day-to-day itinerary on the river is flexible depending on water levels, weather conditions, and the inclination of the members. The total trip length of 68 miles will, however, remain the same. If strong up-canyon headwinds are experienced, vigorous paddling may be required to maintain our trip itinerary down river. Low water flows may result in longer days of paddling and large muddy beaches to traverse. The leader reserves the right to change the itinerary in the interest of group safety and weather/water conditions.

Good physical conditioning is important in any wilderness outing. We strongly recommend for maximum enjoyment and safety during the outing that you engage in a program of regular exercise, muscle strengthening, and hikes prior to the trip.

Although we make every effort to ensure a safe trip and we have an excellent safety record, river canoeing, hiking, and wilderness travel involve some risks. Physical challenges are inherent in canoeing and are partly why people seek this kind of adventure. If you elect to participate, you must be in good health and be willing to participate in a few group chores and activities. Trip members are expected to set up your tents, share in carrying group food and gear, and assist in loading and unloading the canoes. The trip leader will screen participants for their suitability on the trip in advance of final acceptance.

Equipment and Clothing

Professional canoes and canoeing equipment are provided, including paddle and life jacket. You’ll receive one waterproof bag for your clothes and camping gear. You must fit your gear in your canoe. A complete personal gear checklist is given upon acceptance. You can rent a sleeping bag, ground cloth, and inflatable pad if you let the trip leader know at least two weeks in advance. You won't need much else beyond your personal items and sun protection.

References

Even a rudimentary grasp of the desert Southwest's natural and human history will greatly enhance your experience on this trip. The following are especially recommended:

• Zwinger, Ann, Run, River, Run. A naturalist's journey down the Green River from source to terminus. This is by far the best naturalist guide of the area.
• Abbey, Edward, Desert Solitaire. The book that brought many of us to canyon country.
• Barnes, F. A., Canyon Country Geology. An easy to understand primer on the geology that created the landscapes of canyon country.
• Baker, Pearl, Wild Bunch at Robbers Roost. Outlaw history of the area, including Butch Cassidy; Baker grew up at Robbers Roost with the legends and personal knowledge of many that she writes about.
• Belknap, Canyonlands River Guide. Waterproof river map, something you might want to bring along, available at local outlets.
• Stegner, Wallace, Beyond the Hundredth Meridian. Pulitzer Prize-winning author's account of John W. Powell's pioneering expeditions of the Green and Colorado rivers.
• Kelsey, Michael, River Guide to Canyonlands National Park. Comprehensive guide to the natural and human history along the Green River.

Conservation

Labyrinth Canyon provides a unique setting to explore the evolution of our societies' perception of rivers. The Green and Colorado river corridors are the front lines for determining how we will allocate our increasingly scarce water resource. In addition, we will discuss the pressures on our public lands by mining, ranching, farming, and recreational off-road vehicle interests.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.