Southwest (AZ, NM, etc) class III-IV paddle trip mid-April..

Right now, though, it's running at 2000cfps, which of course is way
bigger but also sounds like it's less technical than your level - I
hear some of the gnarlier stuff gets washed out pretty well at higher
water. But of course you have the firsthand experience and I'm 1500
miles away...
 >> Stay informed about: Southwest (AZ, NM, etc) class III-IV paddle trip mid-April.. 

In rec.boats.paddle thatseattleguy.DeleteThis@hotmail.com wrote:
 >
 > - Any suggestions for rivers? Ideally I'd like a class III+ so her
 > first trip isn't too harrowing but not boring either. Big extra points
 > for cool canyon scenery and the opportunity to take short hikes from
 > camp. The Salt's been suggested as a good fit for this (and it sounds
 > like it's running really nice this year).

The Rio Chama is class II+ and would not be boring. Less desert-like
than the Salt and not as dangerous.

Sounds like you don't have your own boat, but the upper Gila sounds good
although I don't know anybody who has done it.

The Yampa is beautiful although it has a lot of flatwater. The Green
(Gates of Lodore) has more consistent whitewater. Both runs contain
one rapid rated class 4.

 > - Outfitters/guides?

Sorry, no idea.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Southwest (AZ, NM, etc) class III-IV paddle trip mid-April.. 

In article <42373341.DeleteThis@news.meer.net>, Bill Tuthill <can.DeleteThis@spam.co> wrote:

 > In rec.boats.paddle thatseattleguy.DeleteThis@hotmail.com wrote:
  > >
  > > - Any suggestions for rivers? Ideally I'd like a class III+ so her
  > > first trip isn't too harrowing but not boring either. Big extra points
  > > for cool canyon scenery and the opportunity to take short hikes from
  > > camp. The Salt's been suggested as a good fit for this (and it sounds
  > > like it's running really nice this year).
 >
 > The Rio Chama is class II+ and would not be boring. Less desert-like
 > than the Salt and not as dangerous.
 >
 > Sounds like you don't have your own boat, but the upper Gila sounds good
 > although I don't know anybody who has done it.
 >
 > The Yampa is beautiful although it has a lot of flatwater. The Green
 > (Gates of Lodore) has more consistent whitewater. Both runs contain
 > one rapid rated class 4.
 >
  > > - Outfitters/guides?
 >
 > Sorry, no idea.
 >

If you have your own equipment, you've already missed the window to
apply for permits (end of January), but if you're going to hire a
commercial outfit, I recommend Adventure Bound, Inc.
(http://www.raft-colorado.com/). I teach school, but guide for them in
the summers and they're a good outfit. They'll do the Yampa and Green
(Gates of Lodore) up in Dinosaur Nat'l. Monument, the Green River
through Desolation and Gray Canyons, a short 1 or 2-day trip through
Westwater Canyon near Grand Junction here, and Cataract Canyon in
Canyonlands near Moab. Check their website for descriptions of the
rivers and canyons; I think they'll take you where you're wanting,
though I'm not too sure about your mid-April time.

There are several companies that do a nice job out here (Western
Colorado / Eastern Utah), that you can find on the web. Good luck &
give a holler if I can help some more.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Southwest (AZ, NM, etc) class III-IV paddle trip mid-April..