Green River — Desolation and Gray Canyons planning
Green River — Desolation and Gray Canyons trip packet
Print this. The checklist, the hazards, the emergency plan and the rules of the corridor in one place.
Packing checklist
Required by BLM
- Fire pan
- Portable toilet (groover)
- Kitchen tarp
- Gray-water strainer
- Extra PFD
Desert gear
- 1 gallon of water per person per day
- Sand stakes
- Sun awning or bimini
- Bug head nets
Safety
- Signal mirror
- First aid kit
- Spare oar or paddle
- Patch kit
Known hazards
- Class III–IV rapids including Joe Hutch and Three Fords
- Severe mosquitoes in June and July
- Flash floods in side canyons during monsoon storms
- Extreme heat and dehydration
- Black bears very active around the Sand Wash put-in
- Deep remoteness — no cell service
Water notes
Flow is measured on the Green River at Green River, UT gauge. In drought years flows can drop below 800 CFS — bring a small, light boat and expect to drag. At peak runoff the canyon runs big and fast.
Emergency plan
No cell service in the canyon. The Sand Wash Ranger Station is your last reliable contact before launching — check in there. Carry a satellite messenger and leave your float plan with someone who will act on it.
Leave No Trace
BLM stipulations require a fire pan, a portable toilet (groover), a kitchen tarp under food prep areas, and strained gray water. All trash and waste pack out.