Canoeing the Colorado River, Black Canyon Hot Springs Exploration

Course credit is available for students registered in ENS 138, RTM 305, and RTM 489.

DESCRIPTION

Your canoe will be your vehicle, your playground and your suitcase all rolled into one. The Colorado River is your path. We will begin our trip 10 miles below Hoover Dam and paddle upstream between towering cliffs and looming canyon walls exploring side canyons and natural hot springs over our four day weekend. At times, this trip can be a strenuous paddle for you and your canoe partner. However, soaking in natural hot springs and the infamous sauna cave, sleeping under the desert stars, and spying big horn sheep are the rewards! Again, this trip is a VERY physically demanding upriver paddle - but the rewards for your hard work are plentiful!

group

TESTIMONIALS

“My favorite moment was making it upstream and finally to the Hoover Dam. It was a great feeling of accomplishment and pride and the view was amazing.”

“I had a great experience. The feeling of accomplishment after paddling a canoe all day was great. All of the sights in the canyon were amazing. The whole weekend was incredible.”

“It was a lifelong memory to take forever”

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1: This trip normally departs at 2pm on Thursday and arrives at Boulder Beach Campground on Lake Mead at 10:00p.m. We will make several stops along the way for dinner, gas and restrooms. Upon your arrival to the campsite, you will be laying out your sleeping bag and pad for a night under the stars (or in a tent—your choice). For those looking to stretch their legs, a quiet walk under the clear night’s sky down to Lake Mead can be arranged.

Day 2: Friday morning we quickly pack up our sleeping gear and drive +20 miles to our launch at Willow Beach. First, breakfast will be enjoyed overlooking the river and then your trip leaders will take you through a tutorial of everything dealing with canoeing. Proper paddling strokes and on water safety will be the primary focus. Once canoes are loaded, the six mile paddle up river toward our Arizona Hot Springs campsite begins. We will enjoy the many scenic views and a lunch stop along the way. Once at camp we will unload all gear, secure the canoes and prepare dinner together. Afterwards we will hike 10 minutes up to the hot springs to soak, relax and reflect on the day. ariel

Day 3: After a hearty breakfast Saturday morning, we will secure camp and continue paddling upriver three more miles to enjoy several hot springs and the infamous sauna cave. If the current cooperates, a stop below the Hoover Dam for photos is in order. Lunch is usually enjoyed at Gold Strike Canyon where some of the hottest springs are found. We will be returning to our campsite at Arizona Hot Springs for another delicious dinner, campfire games and more hot springs.

Day 4: Waking to the sound of the desert quail and the smell of coffee early on Sunday morning, we will take down camp, pack canoes and paddle down river six miles to Willow Beach. Gear is unloaded and the canoes are rinsed out and then the journey home begins. We will stop for lunch in Boulder City and return to SDSU around 8:30p.m.

*** This trip normally departs on Thursday during the school year. However, it is offered over Thanksgiving break and is extended another day departing on Wednesday.

PRE-TRIP MEETING

Pre-Trip Meetings are required and are held the Monday, the week of your trip, from 6-7pm in the AMC rooms, right outside the ARC. You will meet the leaders and other trip members, as well as cover all details such as weather, menu, safety issues, and clothing requirements. You will also be issued all of your equipment at this time (sleeping bags, pad, tent, etc.).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WEATHER

This trip is 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada off of hwy 93 so it is a desert climate with slightly cooler temperatures on the river. November though March the temperature can reach 80 degrees. Nights settle in the low 40’s to the mid 50’s and during April and May the temperature hovers in the 70’s. In contrast, the summer months range 80 to 100. The air is dry, which increases the risk of dehydration. The water temperature flowing out of the bottom of the Hoover dam is 53 degrees year-round.

FOOD

We hope you will be amazed (as many of our trip members have been) by the delicious dishes we will prepare together. Examples of common dinner meals include: lasagna, chicken pot pie, enchiladas, or chili and cornbread; for breakfast, we offer granola, oatmeal, fruit, muffins, pancakes and fried potatoes; desserts include brownies, cakes, and of course, s’mores! Please let your leader know if you have any dietary restrictions, as we can usually accommodate them.

CAMPING/LODGING

Toilet facilities are available on Thursday night and Friday morning, both at the campsite on Lake Mead and at the Canoe launch. Our river campsite will be primitive (i.e. without running water, picnic tables, or modern toilet facilities. Aztec Adventures will provide portable toilet facilities, as well as drinking water, along with the rest of the group gear.

HEALTH/PHYSICAL CONDITIONING

Paddling up river can be very strenuous for some because it requires the use of the entire upper body—not just one’s arms. All trip members must be confident in their swimming ability, as there is always the possibility of a capsize. In addition, trip members will be carrying canoes and other gear up and down the river bank and launch ramp. From now until the trip begins, we highly encourage you to get in shape.

RISKS/HAZARDS/SAFETY

River temperature is 53° F year round. Extended time in the water due to a capsized canoe can lead to hypothermia (lowering of body's core temperature). Other hazards are heat illnesses, dehydration, motorboats, high winds, desert plants and animals (rattlesnakes and scorpions are often observed on trips), and other campers and canoers (campsites are sometimes crowded on weekends). Hiking to hot springs can be treacherous and slippery. Hot springs may contain amoeba that can be deadly if allowed to enter your nose. Trip members must make a conscious effort to be safe. One person’s disdain for safety will always result in more hardship for the group. If we do have an accident or injury that requires medical attention beyond the scope of our leader’s experience, the trip is immediately over without refund. Our leaders are trained to administer first aid in an outdoor environment, however, while they may be able to treat injuries, they cannot always prevent them.

This trip is designed for people who are self-motivated and want to make the most of their Colorado River experience. Plan on being a contributing member of a group of 12 or less. The leaders will often need to make decisions based on the needs of the group—not the special needs of one individual. This is a group experience and everyone is expected to help with all the camping tasks such as: cooking meals and clean-up, setting up camp, and organizing gear. NO DRUGS & ALCOHOL WILL BE PERMITTED AT ANY TIME DURING THE TRIP. We invite you to come on this trip to enjoy the sights of the Black Canyon and the company of your fellow trip members.

COST: $295

Included in the Cost: Aztec Adventures leaders, round trip transportation, three breakfasts, two dinners with dessert, all group camping and canoeing gear, campsite and entrance fees, and complete personal camping equipment outfitting (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tents, camp chair, rain gear, dry bags, etc.).

NOT Included in the Cost: Two road meals.

TOP

(619) 594-6958
aztecadventures@ sdsu.edu

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader