Join the Grand Canyon Trust on the San Juan River

January 24, 2022
San Juan River Mexican Hat

San Juan River Boats at CampJOIN THE GRAND CANYON TRUST April 30-May 3 for a memorable four-day journey down the San Juan River in southern Utah. Bordering Bears Ears National Monument on one side and the Navajo Nation on the other, the Class I-II whitewater rapids of the San Juan carve their way through towering sandstone goosenecks and past abundant remnants of past and present cultures. This trip is appropriate for all experience levels.

We’ll spend our days floating down the river in rafts or inflatable kayaks, hiking up several of the many magical side canyons, and soaking up the
stunning scenery. You’ll enjoy three healthy, delicious meals each day, prepared by knowledgeable and experienced river guides.

Evenings at camp under star-studded night skies will be spent engaging in conversation with Grand Canyon Trust staff, native community leaders, and other partners who have worked to permanently protect this unique landscape for nearly a decade. This trip is for outdoor camping enthusiasts who are prepared for the physical challenges of a river trip, including moderately strenuous hikes each day, sleeping under the stars or in tents, and spending much of the day in rafts in a range of weather conditions.

You’ll also be joined by Talia Boyd and Lyle Balenqua.

Talia Boyd is Todích’íí’nii (Bitter Water), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (The Water Flow Together), maternal grandfather is Tl’aashchi’I (Red Bottom) and paternal grandfather is Tábą ą há (Water’s Edge).

Born and raised on the Diné Nation, Talia grew up with a respect for the natural world through traditional Diné teachings. The dewatering of aquifers through the extraction of non-renewable energies and the alarming legacy of abandoned uranium mines throughout her homeland drove Talia to take action to protect her communities on the Colorado Plateau.

Talia has spent years grassroots organizing in rural and Indigenous communities on environmental and social justice issues. Some of her work has included community radio, and working closely with communities to address uranium legacy issues, protect sacred landscapes, and support Indigenous voting rights.

Lyle Balenquah is a Hopi archaeologist, ethnographer, and educator who has worked in the American Southwest for twenty years. He is a member of the Greasewood Clan from the village of Bacavi and has focused his professional career on documenting and educating about ancestral Hopi settlements and lifeways. Through his current work as an independent consultant he works with organizations including Archaeology Southwest, the Grand Canyon Field Institute, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Lore of the Land, and Friends of Cedar Mesa on archaeological and educational projects. He has previously worked for the National Park Service, the Hopi Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, the Sipaulovi Development Corporation, Inc. and the Museum of Northern Arizona. He additionally served as Co-Director of the Native Voices on the Colorado River program. Lyle has an extensive cultural resources publications list and is the co-host of the Heritage Voices Podcast.

The details:

  • MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 10
  • MEETING PLACE, DATE, AND TIME: Thursday, April 29, 2022 at noon in Flagstaff, AZ at the Grand Canyon Trust Homestead. Or meet at 4 p.m. in Bluff, UT at La Posada Pintada, where we will stay the night before and after our trip.
  • RETURN DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 by 1 p.m.
  • RESERVATION DEADLINE: February 15, 2022 (or until filled)
  • WATER LEVELS: The goal for this trip is to run the lower San Juan River, the stretch between Mexican Hat, UT and Clay Hills. However, due to climate
    change and current and future water levels in the watershed, there is the chance this may not be possible. In that case, we will run the upper San Juan
    River stretch between Sand Island and Mexican Hat, UT.
  • TRAVEL: The group will meet at 4 p.m. on April 29 in Bluff, UT to check in at La Posada Pintada. We’ll have dinner and a trip orientation that evening. The river trip will launch on April 30 from Mexican Hat, UT and take out downstream at Clay Hills on May 3. The group will return to La Posada Pintada by 6 p.m. on May 3, enjoy a hot shower, and one last dinner together, then depart on the morning of May 4, returning to Flagstaff by 1 p.m.
  • TRIP COST: $2,450 per person. Cost includes lodging on April 29 and May 3, transportation to and from Bluff, UT and to and from the put in and take out points, guide service, all meals and snacks through breakfast on May 4, and BLM permit fees. Includes a non-refundable $700 deposit. Final payment of $1,750 will be due by February 15, 2022. Cost does not include gratuities for trip guides.
  • MEMBERSHIP: $50 due at the time of booking to become a member of Grand Canyon Trust.
  • PROVIDED: Our outfitter, Holiday River Expeditions, supplies waterproof dry bags & life jackets and eating utensils. They also provide all food, snacks, and drinks including coffee, tea, juice, water, and Gatorade. Grand Canyon Trust will also provide a guide book for each guest. Guests bring their own adult beverages. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased at the hotel during our stay and are not included in the cost. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Before registering, you will need to discuss your needs with a Grand Canyon Trust representative. After registration, you will receive a complete packet of information including all pre- and post-trip logistics, frequently asked questions, suggested packing list, area map, and more trip information to assist you with planning.  Camping gear such as Sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, tent, rain gear & a mug can be rented if needed.
  • CANCELLATION POLICY: Security deposit is non-refundable, yet transferable. After February 15, 2022 and your final payment has been made, your trip fare is 100% non-refundable, but is still transferable. Life happens, and we will do our best to fill your spot should you have to cancel. However, cancellations made less than 60 days before the trip date will be non-refundable and will be considered a tax-deductible donation to the Grand Canyon Trust if we cannot fill your spot.

PROTECT YOUR TRIP: We highly recommend you purchase trip insurance through our recommended provider, Travelex, which offers a variety of plans, or
through a provider of your choice. To ensure full coverage we recommend securing trip insurance 30 days from your deposit payment date, however policies may be purchased up until the day before you leave for your trip. Trip insurance through Travelex may be purchased online here. (www.travelexinsurance.com)

REGISTER NOW:
bit.ly/san-juan-river
Contact Emily Thompson for questions or more information:
ethompson@grandcanyontrust.org
928-286-3370

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: Our top priority is the safety and comfort of our trip participants. Safety measures that will be taken on trips will be communicated in pre-trip emails. If we feel that a trip cannot be safely conducted due to public health conditions, we will cancel the trip with as much notice as possible. For the safety of all trip participants, we require everyone to be fully vaccinated prior to attending, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved. Participants in need of an exemption from the vaccine requirement due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, must submit a request for accommodation to ethompson@grandcanyontrust.org.