Are you dreaming of an adrenaline-filled adventure that includes the thrill of whitewater kayaking with the freedom of a road trip? Join me on an unforgettable 8-day journey with my best friend, Jack Rich, through Utah and Idaho. This road trip was filled with huge rapids, stunning scenery, and sends that will last a lifetime.
Day 1: Preparation in Salt Lake City
My adventure began in Pocatello, Idaho, where I packed my gear and hit the road south towards Salt Lake City. My mission? Meet up with my buddy Josh (Trip Leader for Cataract Canyon) and help him prepare for the trip. We spent the day loading up gear, checking river levels, and eating burritos at Barbacoa.
Day 2: Road Trip to Moab
With our rafts loaded and stoke levels high, our whitewater crew embarked on the scenic drive from Salt Lake City. Moab, known for its amazing off-roading and mountain biking, served as our gateway to the legendary Cataract Canyon. I won’t say names, but a couple of crew members came into Salt Lake City an hour late. Due to this slight inconvenience, we hustled to get on the water before it got dark. About 6 miles into the trip, we were forced to pull over and camp due to lack of light.
Days 3-5: Conquering Cataract Canyon (8,000 CFS)
Cataract Canyon, a stretch of the Colorado River within Canyonlands National Park, is renowned for its massive rapids and breathtaking desert scenery. What makes this different from many other rivers (especially Idaho rivers) is that you must use propane motors to access the best rapids. On Day 3 and Day 5, all we did was soak up the stunning views, tan, and cruise down the gorgeous Colorado River. Most of us got burnt to a crisp but that is just part of the experience. On Day 3, we also went on a fantastic hike called “Dollhouse” once we got to camp.
Day 4 is when it goes from 0-100 fast. It is tradition to do the “hokey pokey” dance before entering Cataract Canyon, so that is precisely what we did. There is an intimidating sign that lets you know that you are screwed, and then you hit your first rapid shortly after. Immediately following the first rapid, you are greeted with about 35 other class 3 and 4 rapids. This river will test all of your river skills and your ability to stay calm very quickly.
Everything went smoothly until we had a mishap on Big Drop 3. One of our friends hit the first hole really sideways and got a huge cut on his chin. Our crew is stellar, so by the night’s end, our friend Gordy had 5 stitches and was recovering beautifully.
My Favorite Rapids:
- Big Drop 2
- Rapid #10 (Amazing Surf Wave)
- Big Drop 1
- Ben Hurt
- Imperial
If you are wondering what to pack for your next multiday rafting trip, I have included the packing tips I have curated from over 100 days spent on the river here.
Day 6: Unpacking, Weber River (800 CFS), and Logan Bound
After conquering Cataract Canyon, we returned to Salt Lake City to unpack and regroup. But the river road trip side-quest was far from over! We couldn’t resist a quick kayaking session on the Weber River, a local favorite. There is one main rapid called “Scrambled Eggs.” This rapid is the hardest part of the section and contains two holes that were absolutely giant at this water level.
We spent 30 seconds scouting and determined that I did not have the skill to run the two massive holes. I ended up putting my kayak in the water in a small eddy just below the scrambled eggs rapid. Jack made his plan of attack and sent scrambled eggs. Jack made it through with only a small dent in the front of his kayak, which he had created by running into a rock head-on. I joined the fun, and we kayaked into the sunset together. After this successful run, we celebrated at Slack Water Pizzeria, an amazing establishment where all pizza is handmade in-house. After demolishing some pizza, Jack and I drove to Logan to meet with our friends. Jenna let us stay in her log cabin house, which was awesome.
Day 7: Logan River Adventure
Logan, Utah, nestled in the heart of the Cache Valley, is home to the Logan River, a gem for whitewater kayakers. I teamed up with my friend Jack, and we spent the day sending the technical rapids this river had to offer. We put in at Ricks Spring, a super cool underground water source worth checking out. Supposedly, Ricks Spring connects directly to the Logan River underground. The Logan River offered a different kind of whitewater experience compared to Cataract Canyon, with its technical rapids and crystal-clear water. We had so much fun. To wrap up our time in Logan, we rode the Utah State Bull and went to dinner with our friends. We packed our gear in the evening and began the drive back to Pocatello, Idaho.
Day 8: Snake River Guiding, Malad River Side quest & 20 Foot Waterfall
Day eight was a triple dose of whitewater! After spending the night in Pocatello hot tubbing, we woke up ready to roll. We started the day by guiding the Haegerman stretch of the Snake River with Adventure Idaho Rafting. If you want the absolute best experience on this stretch of river, no one does it better than Adventure Idaho. We tailor your experience with expert guides that never miss a perfect wave. If you want a discount on your next trip email me (srobbins423@gmail.com). Sharing our passion for whitewater with others is always a very rewarding experience. After completing our guiding duties, we headed to the Malad River for MORE WHITEWATER KAYAKING. We tackled the upper section of the Malad River. This section runs year-round due to it being spring-fed. The water is crystal clear, and the canyon is beautiful. There is lots of rocks to launch your kayak off of and holes to jump over. I’d recommend it to any intermediate-level kayaker. To round off an already epic day, we launched off a 20-foot waterfall, sending our adrenaline to the moon.
Day 9: Farewell Paddle on the Portneuf River
All good things must come to an end. On day nine, it was time for Jack and I to part ways. We decided to end our epic road trip with one final whitewater kayaking session on the Portneuf River in Pocatello. We found a small waterfall and enjoyed one last kayaking send before heading our separate ways. It was sad to see the adventure come to an end, to be honest I got pretty sick of being on the river.
Key Takeaways & Tips for Planning Your Own Whitewater Kayaking Road Trip:
- Plan your route: Research rivers and rapids that match your skill level. All of the rivers listed are between class 2-4+.
- Gear up: Ensure you have the appropriate kayaking gear, including a kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, and appropriate clothing. Bring lots of water and snacks.
- Check river levels: Monitor river levels and weather conditions before heading out.
- Safety first: Always paddle with a buddy, and be aware of potential hazards.
- Embrace the adventure: When you take a huge roadtrip like this, not everything will go exactly to plan. Stay Flexible and have a blast!
FAQs
- What is the best time of year for a whitewater kayaking road trip?
- The best time of year depends on the specific rivers you plan to paddle, but generally, spring and early summer offer the highest water levels due to snowmelt.
- What skill level is required for this type of trip?
- This trip included a variety of rivers with different difficulty levels; these rivers should be taken seriously. If you are not an experienced whitewater kayaker or rafter, hire a guide for your safety. Here are the best guides that are guaranteed to keep you safe on the water.
- What should I pack for a whitewater kayaking road trip?
- In addition to kayaking gear, you’ll need camping gear, appropriate clothing for all weather conditions, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water and snacks. I have a list of what to bring on a river trip, check it out here.
Conclusion
This 8-day whitewater kayaking road trip was a test of friendship, my kayaking ability (I’m not the best kayaker lol), and pure grit. If you’re looking for a high-adrenaline side quest, I highly recommend planning your own whitewater kayaking road trip.
