Cataract Canyon Rafting Questions

An initial non-refundable $500. per person deposit is required to secure your space. Deposits may be made by check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).

We offer a 48 hour courtesy hold, no deposit required. Exceptions to this standard courtesy hold time are evaluated as to how many seats are still available and how close the actual travel date may be.

Payment in full is due 120 days prior to trip departure and is non-refundable. Payment may be paid by check (preferably) or credit card.

For your convenience, you can make online payments through the "Manage "Payments" link in your order confirmation. Payments may also be made by check, or by phone with a credit card. You may also make payments towards your balance prior to the final due date. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if full payment is not collected by the due date. For payments over $10,000 and for large international payments, a check or wire transfer is preferred.

Your initial $500. pp deposit is non-refundable. Payment in full is due 120 days prior to trip departure and is also non-refundable.

Our cancellation policy applies in every instance and there will be no exceptions for any reason. Western River Expeditions will not issue any refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early whether voluntary or caused by other circumstances. Western River Expeditions is not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. Western River Expeditions assumes no financial responsibility for personal injury, emergency evacuation, or personal equipment lost or damaged in any way.

Depending on availability and advance notice, you may have the option to transfer your reservation to another date or trip for a transfer fee. This is not guaranteed, and availability and transfer policies vary between trips.

Trip or date transfers into the following season are not allowed.

If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, you will find information about cancellation coverage at https://www.westernriver.com/cancellation.

Some of the most difficult situations occur when a guest needs to cancel a few days before a trip because of an injury, a family illness, or some other catastrophic event. In these situations, we generally do not have time to refill the space. Yet, we have already spent considerable time, money, and energy preparing for your trip: scheduling vehicles, flights, drivers, guides and equipment, purchasing food, etc. Because of our short season and very limited number of available seats, we cannot afford the financial loss that cancellations cause. Therefore, consider the investment you are making in your vacation and whether or not you could afford the loss if you did have to cancel.

Gratuities for guides are appropriate and greatly appreciated as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and service. The industry standard is 10% of the trip cost. Our guides will make every effort to see that your trip is enjoyable and successful. The common practice is to give the gratuity to the trip leader on the last night. It will later be divided equally with the rest of the crew. Paying in cash is the most common form of payment, though you can always bring along a check and make it out to the trip leader.

While we fully expect to operate each of our scheduled departures, there may be times when circumstances beyond our reasonable control cause us to be unable to operate a specific departure. These may include, without limitation, acts of nature, government restrictions, pandemic or illness, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances. Please reference our full policy provided at the time of reservation.

When searching availability online, “Add To My Itinerary” indicates there is space available; “Contact Us” indicates the date is either sold out or has less availability than the number of seats requested in the search process. Please call us with questions or for clarification. We can put guests on a waitlist for a sold out date in case seats become available due to a cancellation. Also, we can suggest similar trips that may be excellent alternatives.

Cataract Canyon 4-Day Expedition trip dates begin on a Tuesday and end on Friday. Trips run from late May until mid-September each year. Trip dates are available to book 1-2 years in advance. We suggest reserving early, to guarantee your date of choice.

Because we value both your health and the health of your unborn baby, we do not permit those who are expecting to go rafting. Cataract Canyon is a remote back-country setting and access to advanced medical help is not readily available. We do not believe that rafting is worth the risk when you are carrying such precious cargo, no matter how early you may be in your pregnancy.

If you become pregnant after making your reservation, we strongly encourage purchasing cancellation insurance that covers cancellations for any reason. We also offer a name change option. This option allows you to find someone to take your place for only a $50 fee.

Thirty is the maximum number of guests on a trip. Because we offer two trips per week, we will balance guest numbers between the two trips if they are not both completely sold out.

During May and June when water levels are the highest in Cataract Canyon, Western plans to use its patented J-Rig raft for the most secure, comfortable, and thrilling ride on the river. As the water slows its pace, usually later in June and through the last trips in September, we change from 37’ J-Rig rafts to 18’ oar rigs, and smaller paddle rafts. These smaller boats make these later trips more suitable for teens or active adults looking for a more “hands-on” experience. Whether travelling aboard the larger rafts earlier in the season or the smaller rafts later in the season, the legendary whitewater in Cataract Canyon provides plenty of fun and excitement. Note: The dates for which we may use each boat type are determined by water levels, difficult to predict before spring.

Guests per raft type:

J-Rig accommodates up to 18 guests, with 2 guides

Oar boats accommodate 4-6 guests, with 1 guide. Guide paddles

Paddle boats accommodate 6-8 guests, with 1 guide. Guests paddle with guide direction.

Through calm water sections prior to and after exiting Cataract Canyon, we lash all the rafts together, attach to a motorized raft, and travel as a "flotilla” Great fun.

Learn more about rafts in Cataract Canyon

We may be able to accommodate private charter trip requests. These requests are evaluated individually by Operations and require consideration of date, type of rafts to be used, number of guests, etc. For smaller groups, a fixed charter price may be offered.

There are no group discounts.

After a reservation is made, we can email the guest a direct booking link to his/her trip, which can be shared with others. We also offer a courtesy hold option, which allows the guest to request a specific number of available seats to be held for designated time period (automatically 48 hours) to allow others to then call in to join the trip.

Cataract Canyon trips have no single supplements for solo travelers. The dedicated group of guests on each trip travel through the canyon together, rafting, hiking, camping, and enjoying meals together. A multi-day rafting trip offers a wonderful group travel environment.

For May-June trips, guests must be age 12 at time of travel. For July-Aug trips, guests must be age 10. There are no exceptions to these age limits. Youth should weigh no less than 75 lbs. There is no maximum age limit, but guests will want to consider the physical nature of a river trip in a remote location.

Big ‘Western style” breakfasts begin the day with a variety of items. Food items include bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, french toast, fruit, etc. Various salads and sandwiches, including peanut butter and jelly are lunch offerings. Fruit, chips, and cookies are also served at lunch. Dinners will include steak, chicken, side dishes, along with an appetizers and dessert.

We are happy to email the menu to guests who have questions about food served on the trip.

For guests as young as age 5, our Southwest Sampler and Green River trips in Moab, Utah are excellent choices. For guests who are at least age 9, our Grand Canyon 3 & 4-Day trips are age appropriate.

Guests should bring clothing items, toiletries, a refillable water bottle, and headlamp or flashlight in a soft-sided duffel bag, weighing 20 lbs or less. Weather and water temperatures will vary throughout the season, so being prepared for a variety of conditions is important. It is better to take something and not use it, than not have it and need it. Carefully following our packing list will assure that guests will be prepared.

Print the Packing List for this trip

The following video offers several suggestions on how to pack:

We recommend a two-piece rainsuit that can be used as needed. A wetsuit is cumbersome to take on and off when rafting. In Cataract Canyon, water temperatures are cold early season and will continue to warm as the season progresses, so this extra layer is not always critical to protect against cold water temperatures. But, weather conditions vary, and even in warm summer months we have had guests grateful they had the extra layer to put on during inclement weather.

Guests are not allowed to bring their own lifejacket or PFD. Western River Expeditions is subject to regulations promulgated by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and State Parks. All three of these agencies require that guests of commercial outfitters wear Type V Whitewater lifejackets. Personal life jackets are usually meant for lake sports and even Type III jackets, meant for kayaking or canoeing, are not acceptable for use by our guests.

Fortunately, the newer generations of Type V life jackets are very comfortable. They also have a lot more floatation than the typical personal jacket.

Though not particularly notable, fishing through Cataract Canyon is allowed and requires a Utah State fishing license. Fishing must be from shore while in camp, and is catch and release.

Guests should be dressed, ready to raft! Meeting place is Springhill Suites, 1865 N Hwy 191, Moab, UT. Swimsuit (or sports bra and quick dry underwear for women) under quick dry shirt and shorts, water shoes or sandals, then brimmed hat and sunglasses with retention device. Don’t forget a water bottle with carabiner, sunscreen and lip balm to go in the day bag.

Cataract Canyon is located in beautiful Canyonlands Natl Park. The combination of sun and water demands adequate skin protection from sunburn. Plan to bring a plentiful supply of sunscreen, and 15+SPF lip balm to be reapplied throughout the day. A brimmed sun hat or baseball cap should have a retention device. Clothing items to consider include quick-dry long-sleeved shirts and long pants for additional coverage. Sarongs or bandanas (dipped in the river) provide sun protection and evaporative cooling effects. Plan to drink lots of fluids to keep hydrated.

Cameras can be charged if guests bring a portable charging device. Alternately, cameras can be charged if guests bring a portable charging device. We recommend bringing extra batteries or a battery pack, rather than relying on a solar charger. If a cell phone is used for picture taking, it should be in airplane mode to conserve battery life, and be in a waterproof case.

This video features some excellent camera tips:

Guidelines for camera use on the river:

You are free to film and shoot photos during our trips, however, we ask that you consult with your guide before doing so. We have some guidelines you will be asked to follow. These include:

If you’re wondering what type of camera is most suitable for the river, here are a few thoughts.

Waterproof/Shockproof Digital Cameras - These cameras are perfect for everyday use and have become very affordable with most at $100 to $300. They’re rugged and waterproof, but also elegant and trim like any other digital camera.

GoPro and Similar Cameras - Together with their durable waterproof cases, these cameras can take some nice shots while on and off the water. Generally, the wide angle zoom cannot be adjusted so this should be taken into consideration. We ask that you plan to mount these cameras only with the head strap or helmet mount options (bring your own helmet). You will not be allowed to mount the cameras anywhere on the rafts during travel on the river.

Larger SLR Cameras - It is possible to bring a larger SLR camera, but be sure to have something sturdy to protect it. We recommend a hard-shell Pelican Case if you’re planning to bring a more expensive camera. Space is limited on the boats, so we try to keep additional camera equipment minimal.

Aquapac - This is a good solution if you aren’t in the market for a brand new camera, but just want to protect the one you have. It is a flexible waterproof housing to fit a number of camera types -- including video cameras. You do need to make sure the plastic housing stays clean as you’re shooting through it, but a lot of our guests find this to be a nice solution.

See it at Red Rock Outfitters

Batteries and Cards - While your are in remote areas during your trip, there will not be any location to charge your batteries or devices. Consider bringing extra batteries and memory cards and don't forget to charge your extra batteries before you get to the river.

Small Float - You might consider attaching your camera to a small float that may save your camera if you happen to drop it in the river. GoPro sells a small, attachable float that fits on the back of the camera housing that many of our guests find useful.

Western River Expeditions and Moab Adventure Center do not allow the use of drones on any trips.

Each guest is given a personal day bag (approx. 7”x13”) and water resistant gear bag. Items for day use should be put in the day bag, which is then rolled down and the straps clipped to keep contents dry. The gear bag accommodates a sleeping bag (we provide) along with the guest’s personal duffle bag (which should be no larger that 12”x13”x 24”). The gear bag is then rolled and clipped, and secured away on the raft during the day, available again in camp.

We provide all camping equipment (tents, cots, sleeping bags with sheets, camp chairs) for our guests to set up their personal campsite. We also provide a large gear bag (that carries the sleeping bag and duffel bag together and is inaccessible during the day) and a small day bag for items guests would like access to during the day (lip balm, sunscreen, camera, rainsuit, etc). Plates and eating utensils are provided for meals.

For guests staying at SpringHill Suites, complimentary parking and storage of 2 bags per room (if needed or for heat sensitive items) are provided. Additional bags may be stored for $10. per bag per day. For guests staying elsewhere prior to the trip, SpringHill Suites offers to store each bag for $10. per bag per day. Parking is complimentary.

Guests should bring an adequate supply of all necessary medications. They will be accessible during the day when stored in a day bag or if needed, in cold storage on the raft. A list of medications should be provided to us, along with any related medical conditions. Keep in mind that Cataract Canyon is a remote section of the Colorado River, and emergency medical attention may be hours away.

A typical day on the river begins with an early coffee/hot chocolate call, with breakfast to follow about 30 min. later. During this time, guests will also be getting dressed and ready for the day and disassembling their campsites. All equipment and gear is then repacked on the rafts, and we’re off for a day of adventure!

Each day is a combination of rafting, hiking, exploring, free time and delicious meals. Guests are generally on the rafts an hour to an hour and a half at a time. There are bathroom breaks along the way. Depending on time of year, weather, and guide itinerary, each trip will vary, and determine what hikes are offered and which campsites will be used. Generally, guests would expect to be enjoying these activities for about 6-7 hours per day.

Because the Colorado River flow through Cataract Canyon is not controlled by a dam, water levels vary throughout the season. Higher, faster water occurs earlier season (May, June), and begins to slow the rapid pace in July and August. Depending on precipitation amounts and particularly snowfall in the Colorado River basin that feeds the Colorado River through snowmelt, water levels continually change. Rapids in Cataract Canyon are classified using the traditional class I-V rapid rating scale, which factors in not only water levels, but navigational difficulty. Typically, May -June rapids are class IV-V; July-Aug rapids are class III-IV.

For higher, faster water conditions, our motorized, patented J-Rig is the raft of choice. 37’ feet long by 15’ wide, this raft offers a variety of seating options, and allows guests to sit facing forward. With oar boats and paddle boats, guests have the opportunity to let the guides do the rowing (oar boats) or be part of the paddling crew (paddle boats). Oar boats hold 4-6 guests; paddle boats 6-8 guests.

Because the water feeding into the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon is primarily melted snow from winter’s Colorado River basin snowpack, the earliest trips will likely have water temperatures in the 55 degree range (guests are grateful for their two-piece rainsuits!) As the season progresses, both the sun and warmer air temperatures affect the water temperatures, which may reach 70 degrees or above.

Warmer water temperatures accommodate fun swim breaks, when guests can float along or swim near the rafts in calm water sections of the river. Some hikes may include waterfalls and pools of water to enjoy off the river.

Because our trips operate in remote, backcountry settings, there are no permanent bathroom facilities. We use portable toilets that we haul with us. We’ve prepared a video describing toilet facilities on the river.

Watch the video and then call us if you have more questions.

The portable toilets described in the video are available shortly after we set up camp late afternoon until we leave camp the next morning. During the day, the guides will make frequent stops at which you can go to the bathroom if needed. During the day, urination is done into the main river channel, but if you need to do more than this, just ask your guide and he/she will introduce you to our daytime toilet system.

If you expect to be menstruating during your trip, we recommend the use of tampons rather than pads. During the day, you will constantly be getting wet, so pads are not ideal. If you choose to use pads, we recommend wearing a good pair of waterproof rain pants.

A good strategy is to bring several sandwich-sized zip-lock bags pre-packed with individual tampons. The same bag can then be used for disposal after use. Toilet facilities will always be available while in camp and the guides will stop as often as is necessary during the day to accommodate your needs. We will always provide a means for discreet disposal of feminine hygiene items. It is best that you bring your own supplies, but we also carry a supply of feminine hygiene products.

Additional tips that have come from previous guests:

• Bring a sarong that can be used for additional privacy. It also helps when changing clothes.
• Wear a two-piece swimsuit such as a tankini with swimsuit bottoms covered by shorts. This is most comfortable for wearing lifejackets, sitting on boats and going to the bathroom.
• Bring hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and non-applicator tampons.

Once you are on the river, there is no way for you to be contacted. Messages left for you on your personal cell phone will be the best way for friends and family to reach you, once you have cell service again some time after exiting the canyon.

There is no cell service while on the river.

All of our river guides are certified with a minimum of advanced first aid and many hold more advanced certifications such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). We carry multiple, well stocked first aid kits on every trip and the guides will provide any “first aid” level care that is needed or you have the option of using our first aid supplies to treat yourself.

If the injury or illness requires medical attention beyond what is possible on the river, we evacuate the affected guest. The most common means of evacuation is via helicopter. However, on some river stretches, evacuation may occur using a high-speed boat or even a vehicle. We carry satellite phones that allow us to communicate with emergency medical professionals.

Because we are in remote, wilderness settings, it may take a while for more advanced medical help to arrive. Please note that the satellite phones are only used during emergency situations. Because they have limited battery life, we do not leave them on at all times and it is not possible to call the satellite phone to deliver a message from off the river. There is no cell phone reception in the remote canyons in which most of our trips are conducted.

Prior to reaching the first camp and while on the river, guides will give a camp orientation. Late afternoon, they pull into camp and guests choose a personal campsite area, relative to the bathroom and kitchen areas which will be set up by the guides. Guests are then called back to the rafts to help unload gear and some supplies via a fireline. Guides give a tent and cot set up demonstration, then guests take their personal gear bags and other gear to their chosen campsite and get set up. While the guides prepare first appetizers and then dinner, guests may clean up for the day, rest and relax, explore the immediate camp, and visit with other guests. When dinner is served (about 30 minutes after appetizers), guests are given a plate, utensils and mug to use, then wash and keep in a provided plastic zip lock bag in the gear bag for use during the trip. If time permits, guides may have games or activities available. If a musical instrument has come along on the trip (guitar, ukulele, etc), musical performances are likely! Most guests go to bed not long after the sun goes down, ready to recharge from a busy day of rafting and exploring. Coffee/hot chocolate call comes at dawn, with breakfast about 30 minutes later. During this time, guests will be getting ready for the day, disassembling their personal campsite, and taking gear back down to the rafts to be loaded in a reverse fire line. Portable toilets and handwash stations are first items set up in camp and taken down the following morning by the guides. Guests will be asked to use the handwash station and hand sanitizer after bathroom visits in camp and before all meals. Even though our river trips are in wilderness settings, personal hygiene is a top priority and helps keep guests healthy and able to participate. Departure from camp is usually about 7:30 - 8:00 AM.

Learn more about camping in Cataract Canyon

All guests receive a sleeping bag with fresh sheets, a cot, and camp chair for use in camp each night. Additionally, 3-person tents are available that accommodate two cots and gear with a walkway in the middle. Many guests choose to sleep under the stars on their cots and set up a tent for privacy while changing, store gear, or in case of rain. Be sure to keep gear bags inside the tent, and possibly supplement with a heavy rock in each corner of the tent in case of wind. Tents sit on top of the sandy campsites and are not designed with stakes that would be pounded into the ground for stability. Solo travelers would be given their own tent and not expected to share. Tents and cots will be loaded back on the rafts each morning with all the other gear and re-distributed again when a new campsite is reached the next day.

If you use a CPAP machine, please ensure that you can complete the trip if your CPAP machine fails or your batteries don’t last. Medical evacuation is only available for severe injury or an imminently life threatening condition. You must be able to safely complete the trip without a working device! Please contact our office to advise us if you will be bringing a cpap machine on your trip. 801-942-6669

Thank you for carefully considering additional challenges that traveling with a CPAP requires on a multi-day backcountry camping and rafting expedition. It is important to us that you choose wisely, and come well prepared to self-sufficiently manage this need while camping in the backcountry.

The river becomes the destination of choice for cleaning up, hair washing, shaving, brushing teeth, and doing laundry! Taking a cot to a flat area along the shore provides a nice place to sit and to keep personal cleansing items out of the sand.

1. Cleaning up and hair washing: Earth friendly soaps and shampoos, washcloth, and thin towel (to dry more quickly) work well. Guests access the water close to the shore. Scrub up, rinse in the river, and towel dry. Because of the dry desert climate, hair conditioner is a must. Good time to apply lotion on clean, dry skin.
2. Shaving is personal preference, but would be done at river’s edge using river water.
3. Brushing teeth: Always use clean drinking water for brushing teeth, which is always available on and off the rafts. Toothpaste spit goes right into the river:)
4. Laundry: It’s easy to rinse clothing items in the river, then clip to a piece of thin rope rigged as a closeline or secure to a branch or bush (in case of wind). Without overnight precipitation, they’ll easily dry by morning. Plan to take fewer clothing items and wear them more than once.
5. Skin and lips: The desert is an extremely dry environment, and sunscreen, unscented lotions, and SPF 15+ lip balm should be applied generously.

We recommend that you bring and use a good mosquito repellent. The kind containing deet works best. Mosquitoes are not much of a problem in Cataract Canyon, but they can be present on the first day of the trip. As we travel farther downstream they completely disappear. In high water years, they are more prevalent but in lower water years, they may not show up at all. The best plan is to be prepared for them.

Mosquitoes generally do not come out on to the water, so they are mostly only an issue while on shore. In camp, we provide tents so the mosquitoes won’t be a problem at night.

Other, non-biting, flying insects are present and mostly are an issue when they are attracted to your flashlight or headlamp. The way to solve this is to bring a headlamp that has the option of using a red light.

Many people worry about snakes and scorpions. Both are an important part of the desert ecosystem, but neither likes to be around humans very much. With proper precautions that will be explained by your guides, you can generally avoid them altogether.

While it is rare that we see snakes or scorpions, when we do, your guides are expert at moving them away from camp so they will not present a safety concern. We are respectful of these native creatures and we do our best not to harm them, but we also take all precautions to make sure they don’t bother our guests.

It is best to leave your jewelry behind. Rafting is an active vacation and jewelry often gets in the way. Earrings and necklaces can get caught on lifejackets. Rings can also cause injuries when you are holding on tightly to ropes.

Lunch and dinner will be served the first day of your trip, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner days 2 and 3. On day 4, breakfast will be served as usual before breaking camp, then guests might enjoy lunch on the raft while traveling through a calm water section prior to the takeout.

Delicious and plentiful! Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, whole-grain breads, and desserts are presented in a mouth-watering array. A hearty breakfast fuels guests for the day’s start and dutch oven desserts give a sweet finish to day’s end. Snacks are offered between meals periodically throughout the trip. These are the meals served:

Breakfasts

• Bacon, eggs to order, hash browns, bagels, fresh fruit and OJ
• Blueberry pancakes with assorted syrups, sausage links, fresh fruit and OJ
• French toast with assorted syrups, Canadian bacon, fresh fruit and OJ
• Coffee, hot tea, cocoa and cider are available every morning

Lunches

• Lunch meats (turkey, ham, pastrami and roast beef), assorted breads, assorted cheeses, lettuce, tomato, pickles, olives and red onion. This lunch is served twice.
• Chicken pita salad sandwiches with chicken, red onion, lettuce, tomato, cashews, mayo and spices. Assorted cheeses, pickles, red onion and olives.
• Chicken Tortilla wraps, sliced chicken, grated cheese, cream cheese, Avocado, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, olives, Peanut Butter, preserves

All lunches include peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit, chips, cookies and a variety of condiments.

Dinners

• New York strip steak, green bean almondine, house salad, broccoli and cauliflower
• Chicken Breasts, Spinach and Strawberry Salad with walnuts and bleu cheese, rice, corn, dinner rolls.
• Salmon served with dutch oven river potatoes, fruit salad and salad

Hors d'oeuvres


• Crab dip with cream cheese, cocktail sauce and crackers
• Bean dip, guacamole and salsa with corn chips.
• Shrimp cocktail

Desserts


• Cobblers
• New York style cheesecake with fruit topping
• Fresh baked Dutch oven frosted cakes
• Bananas Foster with ice cream
• During fire restrictions, dessert options may vary


Snacks may include: trail mix, granola bars, Chex mix, Ritz bits, Rice Crispy treats, candy bars and honey roasted peanuts. Fresh fruit is also available on request.

Western supplies cold water and low-calorie lemonade, available both on and off the rafts. Guests are encouraged to drink plenty of liquids to stay well hydrated, and can fill personal water bottles as desired. Filling a water bottle with smaller amounts more frequently gives guests a cold drink every time, and discourages wasting precious water that has been left to warm up.

If additional beverages are desired (soda, beer, other alcoholic beverages), guests may bring up to 12 cans or the equivalent thereof. Containers should be unbreakable. They will be kept cold and accessible on the raft.

If you or any of the participants in your party have special dietary requirements, or severe or life-threatening allergies of any kind, a multi-day rafting trip may not be a suitable trip for you. Due to space limitations and the nature of our buffet-style meal service, we are unable to accommodate dietary requests such as Kosher and Vegan. If you are unable to find options on our standard meal service that meet your dietary needs, you may supplement the existing meals where necessary with some of your own food, as long as it does not require cooking on our limited stove and cookware surfaces.

Substitutions for guests with SEVERE ALLERGIES
We take allergies very seriously at Western River Expeditions. It is important that you describe to us the exact details of any allergies you may have, including symptoms and severity. If you have an allergy that may cause difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis or other severe and life-threatening reactions; please read the following points carefully. We want to make sure you are familiar with what we can and can't do for you in a remote setting. If you have a severe allergy you will be required to bring at least two Epi-pens on your trip. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-866-904-1160.
• All reasonable efforts will be made to avoid cross-contamination. We cannot guarantee that any of our products are free from allergens (including dairy, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and other allergens) as we use shared equipment to store, prepare and serve them. For this reason, allergies to commonly used products such as onions, bell peppers, black pepper, garlic, or corn may not be possible to accommodate as most of these are present in the pre-made products we purchase. Please inform us as to the exact severity of these allergies, and whether it is anaphylactic or gastrointestinal.
• Peanut butter will be served on a separate table with disposable utensils. Guests with severe allergies may go through the line first, before cross-contamination may occur. When preparing something like a salad with nuts, part of the salad will be set aside and covered for you before the nuts are added.
• It is our policy not to remove an ingredient from a trip when a guest has an allergy to the ingredient.
• You are welcome in the kitchen during meal preparation to read food labels and check if you are allergic to any meal items.

Substitutions for VEGETARIAN GUESTS
Western River Expeditions can provide vegetarian alternatives for many items. Please see the list below and compare it with the standard meals for your trip. If you feel that this will not be sufficient, you are welcome to bring additional options. Your guides will store any food that you bring but will not be able to prepare it for you due to limitations of the kitchen facilities such as the number of pots and burners.

• Black bean veggie burger patties- Replace dinner protein such as steak, chicken and fish
• Portobello mushroom - Replaces steak, chicken or fish. Available by pre-trip request.

Dishes such as green beans almondine and chicken salad can be prepared without meat. Peanut butter is always available at lunch and hummus is also provided for vegetarian guests. Whenever possible meat will be served separately from other items to maximize options for vegetarian guests. For example, the chicken for the chicken fajitas will not be mixed with the peppers and onions. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-866-904-1160.


Substitutions for GLUTEN-FREE GUESTS
Western River Expeditions will provide gluten-free alternatives for many items. Please see the list below and compare it with the standard meals for your trip. If you feel that this will not be sufficient, you are welcome to bring additional options. Your guides will store any food that you bring but will not be able to prepare it for you due to limitations of the kitchen facilities such as a number of pots and burners. The backcountry often does not provide ideal conditions to avoid cross-contamination. All reasonable efforts will be made to keep foods separate but if your sensitivity is severe, we may not be able to accommodate you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-866-904-1160.


• Gluten-free bread- Replaces lunch bread, dinner bread and bagels
• Can also provide lettuce wraps for all lunches instead of gluten-free bread.
• Substitute granola and yogurt in lieu of pancakes.
• Gluten-free pancakes- Replaces blueberry pancakes
• Corn tortillas- Replace flour tortillas used for lunch wraps and chicken fajita dinner
• Gluten-free bagels- Replace bagels
• Gluten-free snack bars- Replace snacks containing gluten


If you prefer to not eat gluten free processed foods, we are happy to provide other options (i.e. lettuce wraps instead of bread, chocolate bar instead of gluten free brownies, etc.)



Specific DAIRY information
Many of our meals have alternative options for avoiding dairy. Depending on your sensitivity, make sure to consult with your guides, and to review the labels of the brands that are on your trip. We generally avoid cooking with butter, and your guides will be happy to accommodate this if you check with them the first day of the trip. Items to watch and avoid are:

• Most of the cake and muffin mixes contain dairy or whey.
• Some of our breads contain whey, but many do not.
• Several desserts are cakelike products which contain dairy.
• Dinner dutch oven potatoes contain dairy.
• Some of our snacks.

Specific NUT information

For our nut free guests, we will be able to make the meal without nuts and set aside a portion for you, and then we will add nuts for the rest of the guests. Please consult your trip leader at the beginning of your trip to address the severity of your allergy.

• PB&J will be served at the table for every lunch. If you have a severe nut allergy please consult your trip leader and we will set a separate table that the peanut butter will be placed on. Chicken salad contains cashews, which can be left out of a portion for guests with nut allergies.
• (Green bean almondine contains almonds, we can set aside a dish without almonds for nut allergies.)
• Many of our snacks are made in a factory where they could be contaminated by nuts. We will also provide a small stock of nut free bars. This, however is an area that it might be good to bring some supplementary snacks that you like for us to store.

If you are highly sensitive, we strongly advise that you bring supplemental snacks, desserts, and other foods to make sure you have adequate products to eat. We always have fresh fruits and vegetables available, but with the additional energy expended during an active trip like this, it is important to have an ample supply of alternative products you are comfortable ingesting, primarily snacks and desserts. We will have ample storage, dry or refrigerated available. We hope that this will help you plan accordingly and that you have a great trip with us!

We bring a variety of snacks on every trip. As a general rule, snacks will be served mid-morning and mid-afternoon while traveling down river. If you would like to bring some of your own snacks, small, pre-packaged items are best. We can provide cold or dry storage. If you have special dietary needs, bringing some of your own snacks that work well for you is a great idea.

Hard alcohol is allowed at your own discretion. Storage will be provided on the boats.

Note: Hydration (ie. drinking enough water to offset diuretics such as alcohol or even caffeinated beverages) is especially vital to your health and safety on the river in the hot desert sun. Also, be aware that intoxication on a rafting trip, along the river and in camp can be particularly dangerous, so we advise prudence!

Controlled substances, such as Marijuana, are illegal to possess in Canyonlands National Park.

Because the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon is not regulated by a dam, water levels are faster and higher early season, and lower as the season progresses. We match the type of rafts used to the water conditions, offering best rafting experience for each trip. Typically in May-June, our large patented, motorized J-Rig is the raft of choice. July-Aug, smaller oar boats and paddle boats provide a hands-on trip where guests can be part of a paddling crew through the rapids. Date we switch to these smaller boats is determined by water levels which are difficult to determine before spring. Whether traveling through higher water with bigger waves or lower water with technically challenging rapids, Cataract Canyon is always an exciting ride!

Because weather can be unpredictable, we recommend guests be prepared for both warmer and cooler weather conditions that may occur on the same trip. Check area weather conditions prior to the travel date, but realize that weather may vary in the canyon from Moab or wherever the weather readings were taken. This link may give an idea of what to expect: http://www.westernriver.com/cataract-canyon-rafting/weather

Driving directly to Moab, UT or flying into Grand Junction, CO (GJT) or Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) and then renting a car make getting to Moab easy. Marriott SpringHill Suites (where we meet our guests the morning of the trip) offers plenty of free parking for vehicles. Additionally, flights into Moab (CNY) from Phoenix (PHX) are available through Contour Air. Here are helpful details about getting to Moab:

http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/transportation/

We provide transportation from Marriott SpringHill Suites to the river and back at the trip’s end. A 30 minute bus ride delivers guests to the starting point along the banks of the Colorado River just outside of Moab, where guides and rafts will be waiting! A return scenic flight to Moab over Canyonlands Natl Park (where guests have been rafting through Cataract Canyon) is included in the trip price. After the flight, guests are then delivered by bus back to the Marriott SpringHill Suites.

Pack car keys in a zippered pocket in your duffle bag. Alternately, they may be left at the hotel desk or with stored luggage while you are away.

Marriott SpringHill Suites (where you will be picked up the morning of your trip at 7:15 AM and returned the last day), offers a discounted group rate to our Cataract Canyon guests. Link to make a reservation there can be found on the Cataract Canyon Travel Planning page.