Photo Journal: Colorado River through Cataract Canyon

July 13, 2022

two boats floating on water from birds eye view

Reading is fun, but what’s more exciting than looking through photos from a trip and feeling like you are there? Follow our photo journal journey on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon, with local Utah photographer, Chris Whitaker. From boat rigging to rapid running, beach fun, and delicious food; this trip created memories to last a lifetime.

Day 1

After taking a 90-minute ride, we put in at the Potash Boat Ramp just outside Moab, Utah.

Our guides and drivers work quickly to get the rafts into the water and rigged to head downstream. And then we’re off!

From there we floated on glassy smooth water. We start to transition from our busy lives to the sweet, slow pace of life on the river.

Either on 18-foot oar rigs, captained by our four guides; Susan, Jack, Ellie, and Garrison.

Or on stand up paddleboards which allowed us the freedom to explore a little farther.

We also tried out the double ducky…

Which didn’t always want to stay upright.

For lunch, the guides tied all of the boats together to make a barge, and our meal was prepared and served while floating downriver.

Day 2

On our second day, we hiked to thousand year-old petroglyphs and pictographs across from Lathrop Canyon.

Guests on Holiday trips have the opportunity to meet folks from around the world, often finding similarities in their backgrounds and interests. Getting to know everyone over the course of the trip is often a highlight for both guides and guests.

At camp guests spent their time lounging around.

Or attempting a reverse back flip onto the boats.

Rafting Cataract Photo Journal Sangria Camp

Camp at Sangria is the perfect spot for a sunset float.

And a game of horseshoes.

Day 3

Rafting Cataract Photo Journal Hazardous Rapids

We stop at the Hazardous Rapids sign marking the entrance to Cataract Canyon and the beginning of designated whitewater. Here, flatwater kayakers must return upriver via motor boat, but the intrepid rafters continue on! We also sign up for the remainder of our campsites – knowledge of the favorite picks has been passed down among Holiday boatmen for decades.

Our guide Ellie smiles as she rows through Brown Betty rapid, one of the splashy starters to build anticipation for what’s to come.

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Rafting Cataract Photo Journal Brown Betty Ducky

At camp, we watch as guides and guests have fun kayaking through the rapid. Some camps offer the opportunity for exploratory hikes to gain an aerial view of the river.

Steep sandbanks, while not ideal for unloading boats, prove to be fun sand surfing for active guests.

Rafting Cataract Photo Journal Susan Fajias

Guide Susan provides laughs in the kitchen as she cooks up veggies for Fajita Night.

Three-course dinners never disappoint and are customizable to build into whatever you’d like.

Cool down in the hot temps by drinking a beverage directly in the river. Holiday provides sodas and sparkling waters, or bring your own favorites from home.