Forty-six miles of remote dirt road winds along a mile wide sandstone bench trapped between the Blue Mountains, 2000 feet up on your right, and the Yampa River Gorge, twelve hundred feet down on your left. We will ride to scenic overlooks of the river canyon cut from a breath-taking landscape of petrified sand dunes. From one such point called `Jenny Lind Rock' the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers can be seen. It was from this same rock in the 1870's that hermit Pat Lynch claimed his pet lion loved to scream... confronted with the high desert's wild beauty, you might find yourself compelled to do the same. On the morning of day three we will drop our bikes and don our life vests for the time of your life down the Yampa River.
In 1915 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the Dinosaur area a National Monument. This designation has preserved Dinosaur leaving miles of unspoiled wilderness. The Yampa Bench weaves an exciting, scenic path through 50 miles of the park. The river is one of the Rocky Mountain's last undammed rivers. Since it still flows freely, the Yampa is run only during the spring run off in May and June. Massive slickrock canyon walls with views of Lodgepole Pines on Blue Mountain make this canyon unique. Warm Springs Rapid, a major descent, highlights the trip before joining the Green River at Echo Park. From here, you will traverse Whirlpool Canyon and Split Mountain Gorge and more rapids.
Trip Details:
-2008 Departure Dates: June 5, 12, 19, 26;
-Minimum Age: 12 years;
-Level: Intermediate;
-Meeting Place: Vernal, Utah 7:00 a.m.
Tour Itinerary
One of the advantages of a bike/river trip is the flexibility of the daily itinerary. It can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, Mother Nature, and courtesy for other groups in the area. This typical itinerary illustrates a bike trip on the Yampa Bench and a raft trip on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument.
Day 1 - Meet group at Holiday Expeditions headquarters in Vernal, Utah. A one and a half hour van ride, takes us to Iron Springs Overlook for a magnificent view of things to come. Time to fill your water bottle and adjust your bike seat for one of the most spectacular downhill glides on the Colorado Plateau. Seven miles and two thousand vertical feet later we will have made the descent from the high plateau through Sand Canyon to the Yampa Bench. Riding along the mostly level bench takes us past breathtaking overlooks where we can view the Yampa River one-thousand feet below. We will camp near Johnson Canyon, where a short hike reveals an area noted for its rare plants. Includes: (L),(D);
Day 2 - Day two will be our most ambitious day of biking (20-25 miles). A morning roller coaster ride takes us past the old Baker homestead, beyond Haystack Rock to the beginning of our climb over Blue Mountain's Ridge tops. Two miles and 700 vertical feet of pedaling deliver us into Bear Valley, where we receive our reprieve; several miles of smooth sailing. We will camp this evening at the head of Disappointment Draw with distant views of the Yampa Valley. Includes: (B),(L),(D);
Day 3 - This day begins with a short morning ride before hiking down disappointment draw. Support vehicles transfer bikes and equipment back to headquarters, and you board the rafts at Deerlodge Park. The Yampa River's speedy flow takes you over many miles and abundant rapids. Includes: (B),(L),(D);
Day 4 - Big Joe rapid usually marks the beginning of this day. Extra time provides opportunities for hiking and exploring up Johnson Canyon into Signature Cave where pre-Columbian Indians took shelter. Includes: (B),(L),(D);
Day 5 - The Yampa meanders past such attractions as The Grand Overhang, Cleopatra's Couch and Tiger Wall. A heavy flash flood in 1965 down Warm Springs Draw choked the Yampa with boulders, forming the river's largest rapid. Includes: (B),(L),(D);
Day 6 - The Yampa joins the Green River at Echo Park where the canyon widens before the river circles Steamboat Rock. Here the river enters Whirlpool Canyon. The afternoon may be spent at Jones Hole Creek - a blue-ribbon trout stream with side canyon petroglyphs and waterfall. Includes: (B),(L),(D);
Day 7 - Peaceful morning in Rainbow and Island Park areas before entering another massive gorge. The Green's powerful forces cut laterally through Split Mountain's uplifted and colorful core. Rapids abound before the take out and a 35-minute ride back to Vernal. Includes: (B),(L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
YampaBench/Yampa: $1,245.00;
Group/Youth: $1,060.00 (8 or more);
$5 per person Dinosaur National Monument entrance fee;
Deposit: $300.00 per person
Cancellation Policy: If cancellations are made prior to 90 days before the trip, monies will be refunded less a $50.00 service charge per person. If cancellations are made within 90 days and outside of 45 days of the trip date monies will be refunded less a $100.00 service charge per person. Cancellation of a trip is very unlikely, but we reserve the right to cancel any trip due to river or weather conditions or the lack of sufficient reservations. A full refund will be made if such is the case.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Utah
Colorado
Multi-activity
Bicycle Touring
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