Women: Wild by Nature River Trip

Rafting & Inflatable Kayaks on the Lower San Juan River

  • Where: Lower San Juan River from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, UT
  • When: September 01, 2013 through September 06, 2013
  • Number of Days/Nights: 5 Days and 5 Nights - 1st night at Recapture Lodge
  • Time: Evening day 1 through afternoon last day
  • Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 12
  • Age Group: Women only 16+
  • Deadline for Signup: August 27 by noon
  • Cost per Person: $1,100 plus $12 BLM Special Area Fee
  • Deposit: $300 Non-refundable deposit applies to total due
  • Notes:
    • Women Only - Bring your friends, mothers, daughters, etc !
    • Trip begins and ends in Bluff, UT
    • Call to arrange a custom private trip for different dates for 2013.
    • Click here to read our cancellation policy.

Women, whitewater, wisdom and wonder

three women on a raftJoin CFI's Director Karla VanderZanden on this special women-only annual event. After a one-night orientation stay at Recapture Lodge in Bluff, UT, enjoy a four-night adventure on the Lower San Juan exploring deep river canyons and beautiful landscapes. Class I-III rapids make for an exciting trip with plenty of time for relaxation.

CFI women’s trips provide a time and place for deepening connections to the wild and trying out new skills. You will have the opportunity to be physical, relax, and play outdoors! Women of all ages and backgrounds enjoy this trip; youth 16 and older are welcome too... it can be a memorable time with mom, grandmother or that special "aunt" or mentor. Our group will be congenial and small, limited to 12, plus guides. We often have a nice mix of loyal returnees and first timers.

crop muscley costume ladiesShort sessions and hikes offer natural and cultural history, river stories, and time for nature walks and journaling. We share readings from Ellen Meloy, Ann Zwinger, Terry Tempest Williams, and others who write creatively and passionately about the canyon country. Join us in optional morning stretching and greeting the day. We will consider "reciprocity" — ways of giving back to Mother Earth and restoring beauty and balance in our everyday lives.

You may choose to delve into our trip library and read, or just relax too!

 Our trip is led CFI staff. We provide all boating gear including row rafts that are 14-18ft. long and a few, very stable, inflatable kayaks, affectionately known as duckies, for those who would like a bit more adventure and a chance to use river reading and basic kayaking skills.

Ours is a "participatory" journey:

  • Take a turn in the kitchen
  • Learn to bake in a Dutch over fire
  • Help with boat care and camp routines
  • Have time to relax and explore on your own.

We serve healthy meals, featuring many locally grown foods and Dutch oven cookery; participants are asked to help with light camp chores. There is a portable toilet set up in camps.

First Timers Welcome!

This is a perfect introduction to river life that will be a gentle interaction with the outdoors. Time will be set aside for those who need to learn camping basics—how to pitch a tent, attend to sanitary needs, etc. You do need to be reasonably physically fit and be able to carry your own river bag (sleeping bag and clothing for the trip) to and from the boat to your camp each day. Paddling would be 3-4 hours day with rest breaks and stops on shore. After a demonstration, you are expected to set up and take down your tent and help with group packing too. Hikes are optional and usually 1-2 miles round trip. Call or email us if you are not sure about your fitness suitability.

Cofounder and Director, Karla VanderZanden who has 40 years experience as outdoor leader, river guide and naturalist. Prior to starting CFI in 1984, she worked at Westwater as a River Ranger and in Colorado and Oregon as an outdoor educator.