Up the creek, but with a paddle
By: Eric Williams
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Sports
5. The class-four section of the Green River known as Gates of Lodore offers another option for winter kayaking near the Salt Lake area. Close to Vernal, this section challenges boaters along 44 miles of rocky rapids. The technical run features Upper and Lower Disaster Falls as well as Hell's Half-Mile.
6. Near the Utah-Colorado border is yet another class-three run that stays true through the short days of midwinter. The Westwater Canyon stretch of the famous Colorado River is a one-day trip requiring a permit.
"It's gorgeous, you can only find that kind of metamorphic rock in Westwater and the Grand Canyon," said kayaker and Grand Canyon river guide Greg Newton, who doesn't let the three feet of snow or one inch of ice on his life jacket stop him from paddling.
7. Although heading north into colder Idaho seems counterintuitive, the Snake River draws winter kayakers with the itch to Murtaugh Canyon, a class-four run near Twin Falls. The run's large holes and crashing waves keep paddlers coming back even though the stretch can get dangerous in low water.
8. Requiring a longer drive into Colorado, the Shoshone section of the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs is a class-three run in one of the river's most popular areas. The two-mile run has six technical rapids with intimidating names such as Superstitions, The Wall, Tombstone and Maneater.
9. Last but not least, our own HPER pool opens its lanes to kayakers Wednesday evenings from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The pool provides a place for kayak rookies to get practice rolling and maneuvering their boats in a controlled environment. The session is free for U students and open to anyone else with five bucks and their own kayak.
6. Near the Utah-Colorado border is yet another class-three run that stays true through the short days of midwinter. The Westwater Canyon stretch of the famous Colorado River is a one-day trip requiring a permit.
"It's gorgeous, you can only find that kind of metamorphic rock in Westwater and the Grand Canyon," said kayaker and Grand Canyon river guide Greg Newton, who doesn't let the three feet of snow or one inch of ice on his life jacket stop him from paddling.
7. Although heading north into colder Idaho seems counterintuitive, the Snake River draws winter kayakers with the itch to Murtaugh Canyon, a class-four run near Twin Falls. The run's large holes and crashing waves keep paddlers coming back even though the stretch can get dangerous in low water.
8. Requiring a longer drive into Colorado, the Shoshone section of the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs is a class-three run in one of the river's most popular areas. The two-mile run has six technical rapids with intimidating names such as Superstitions, The Wall, Tombstone and Maneater.
9. Last but not least, our own HPER pool opens its lanes to kayakers Wednesday evenings from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The pool provides a place for kayak rookies to get practice rolling and maneuvering their boats in a controlled environment. The session is free for U students and open to anyone else with five bucks and their own kayak.
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