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Gunnison River Canoeing: Oberlin College Alumni Geology & Archaeology

Jul 27 - 31, 2016

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Trip Fees

Adult

$684

Kids

$594

Discount*

Student

$634

Deposit**

$100

** Deposits must be made per person.

For additional information such as itinerary, what to bring, maps, etc., see "QUICK LINKS" on right sidebar.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Oberlin Alums who graduated from 2005 to 2015 receive this trip for $634. Please indicate your graduating year when signing up for the trip to receive this discount. This is a private trip for Oberlin Alums.

Oberlin College Professors of geology Karla & Dennis Hubbard will lead our group as we canoe the Gunnison River in Colorado. This scenic 60-mile river section involves paddling through 7-miles of the beautiful Gunnison Gorge, just east of Delta, CO, near the town of Hotchkiss, CO. The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA), is a diverse landscape ranging from adobe badlands to rugged piñon and juniper-covered slopes. The trip includes exploring a prehistoric archaeological dig site called Eagle Rock Shelter. The NCA also supports a variety of upland, riparian, and aquatic wildlife species and habitats. Common species include mule deer, desert sheep, elk, mountain lion, coyote, ringtail cats, small mammals, neo-tropical birds, raptors, chukar, and river otter. Because of its excellent trout population in the NCA, including rainbow, brown, and cutthroat, the Gunnison River is designated as a Gold Medal Trout Fishery by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This 60 mile river section is generally flat water with some riffles and standing waves and is suitable for beginners.

Canoeing in Colorado on the Gunnison River will spark your sense of adventure with opportunities for hiking and exploring, floating in your lifejacket and camping along the river’s edge. During this Colorado canoe trip, you will be dwarfed by high walls of red sandstone and shale deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. These canyons in the Colorado Plateau are truly magnificent and not soon forgotten. Massive cottonwoods stand on many river bends supporting the huge nests of blue herons, hawks and eagles. Depending on campsite availability, you may have a layover day (staying camped 2 nights in the same place) in Dominguez Canyon, one of Colorado’s newest designated Wilderness Areas, and one of the most beautiful stops on the river. Hiking into the canyon will reveal deep, cool swimming holes, waterfalls and many ancient Indian petroglyphs (rock art panels).

SPECIAL NOTE: Small cabins and tent sites are available at the put-in (meeting place) if you're looking for inexpensive pre-trip lodging. Contact "Pleasure Park" to make reservations. (Scroll to the bottom of the page when clicking on Pleasure Park.)