LABYRINTH CANYON - Green River State Park to Mineral Bottom
Here are some pictures of one section of the Green River in Utah. This 70 mile section of the river is all flat Class I water. It can be done easily in three days, but most paddlers prefer to take five days to do the trip. The first third of the river is in ranch land and the next two-thirds are in deep canyon. There are numerous places to camp which can be identified by trails leading from the river up the bank. If you can get a copy of Bill and Buzz Belknap Canyonlands River Guide, get it and take it with you because it points out all of the interesting features. The put-in, about 100 miles west of Grand Junction, CO via I-70, is at Green River State Park and the take-out is at Mineral Bottom. Permits are now required, but they are free and available at Green River State Park. Stay away from this section of the river on Memorial Day because that is when the "Friendship Cruise" brings about 500 high powered speed boats to the river. Also, on spring trips beware of the spring winds which can ground parties for a day or more until things calm down. Also, in the spring the river is high and floods some of the best camping places.
Road to Mineral Bottom, May 2002. (It's in good condition.) Mineral Bottom Boat Ramp, and typical river scenes
Pictures made August 18, 2002, flow 650 cfs on trip from Mineral Bottom to the Bowknot 11 miles upstream and back. Average speed upstream 3.3 mph. Average speed downstream 5.4 mph. Temp 102 degrees.
(Click on any one)
