This implies packing out all of your garbage, including bathroom paper! Check out these blog articles for more information:
In 550 cfs, there have been very few obstacles and a few very small ripple rapids.
It could merely be drifted for a brief period of time in late summer / early Summer through peak snow melt. The trip is beginner-friendly to get packrafting and kayaking and can be achieved over 1-2 days, together using optional camping in the sea.
Things you’ll need:
I even brought a rain casing , which I was very happy about. You may always take these extra layers off when it ends up becoming warm, but if you wind up falling into, you will be stoked you have the right equipment. Otherwise, on a hot sunny afternoon, a rashguard for sunlight protection and a few board shorts must suffice.
Automobile shuttle to the San Rafael River
We jumped the San Rafael River in packrafts in May 2019 when leaks were 550 cfs, following a heavy snow year in Utah. We were taken by the float .
With lower flows, then it could indicate a very long day on the river. In this case or when the weather is leading, you might think about camping on the river. You can find sandy campsites all throughout the canyon, and Road Trip Ryan has great recommendations on his site of the greatest regions to set up camp and to stop along the way.
You will need two cars so that you are able to run a shuttle to float the San Rafael River. It takes a little more than an hour to drive between the Fuller Bottom, where you launch, to Buckhorn Draw, where you shoot out. The entire street is dirt and was in good shape, but may be impassable after heavy rain. There are established camping at the launching stage or no baths. The take-out at Buckhorn Draw has a slew of campsites having a bathroom.
Hope this blog post makes it possible to plan an amazing float trip on the San Rafael River.
It required a little bit of additional driving, but it was worth it for your opinions.
Within this blog article, I share all the details regarding my trip and how to organize your own packrafting or holiday trip on the San Rafael River.
Make sure to strap any gear down in your boat so it will not fall out if you inadvertently tip your boat. You will also need a sterile pair of clothing waiting for you in the takeout.
The San Rafael River is mellow with a few class 1 ripples. It is an excellent beginner-friendly float which does not require any expertise. On the other hand, the lake is continually twisting and twisting throughout the canyon, so you want a boat that’s easy to control and move. We jumped it Kokopelli Rogue packrafts, which really were the perfect boat for the San Rafael. Small, nimble, and responsive, they managed all of the sharp turns along with the few minor obstacles effortlessly. Our friends floated in inflatable kayaks (also known as duckies), and it is another terrific option.
At 550 cfs, it took us hours to float through off the entire stretch. There was also rain in the forecast, so we chose to get it done in one day, rather than camping.
I do not recommend drifting the San Rafael River in a kayak or on a stand up paddle board (unless you do not mind going for a swim).
What equipment you need is weather dependent. The San Rafael River is very chilly, and if we floated the air temps were in the 60s, so it was quite chilly, and we all watched a great deal of people that were very unprepared. In these types of circumstances, I recommend sporting:
The article Floating the San Rafael River in Utah appeared on Bearfoot Theory.
The first half gave us about two hours, although the last half had more bends in the lake and then also moved slightly slower, requiring us about 4 hours. The most scenic area of the river is that the middle section where the lake is the strangest.
Checking Current San Rafael River Flows
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sunglasses with croakies
- Water – I brought a three-liter hydration reservoir and put it behind my backrest within my ship so that I could easily grab the hose and beverage.
- Snacks
- Hat
- Dry bag for anything you Will Need to keep dry
Read Next
Greatest Hikes in Utah
Best Time to See Utah’s National Parks
Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking
Overnight Kayaking Trip on Lake Powell
What kind of ship is best for floating the San Rafael River?
The very first thing that you ’ll need to do is check the present San Rafael River flow standing .The figure you need to pay attention to is the flow rate in cubic feet per second. As I say above, the absolute minimum is 100-150 cfs. Reduced and you’ll be better off hiking it. Here is a chart from if I found it May 19th and it had been running at 550 cfs.
One Day versus a Trip
