Rafting tours through the Grand Canyon?

[KarenB]

Anyone have any experience with a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon? DH and I have seriously been looking into this for next summer-a 25th anniversary gift to each other.

This is the company we are looking at:
www.westernriver.com

We thought about the 3 day trip.

If you know of a better company or have done this, please fill me in on the details!

Thanks,
Karen

 

[perdidobay]

I'm replying so I can bump this back up to the first page for you. I can't help answer your question, but it did make me think of a story from one of my favorite comedians, Jeanne Robertson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeUdZ2VkG30&feature=player_embedded

 

[XYSRUS]

My sister has toured with Western River twice and loved it! Have fun!

 

[minkydog]

I always wanted to raft the Grand Canyon--until I read "Death in the Grand Canyon." Chapter after chapter recounting various accidents, many of them involving water accidents. Now? no thanks. I'll pass. (and I won't go on those darn donkeys either! Although, come to think of it, I don't believe they have been involved in many accidents.)

 

[KarenB]

I always wanted to raft the Grand Canyon--until I read "Death in the Grand Canyon." Chapter after chapter recounting various accidents, many of them involving water accidents. Now? no thanks. I'll pass. (and I won't go on those darn donkeys either! Although, come to think of it, I don't believe they have been involved in many accidents.)

I have seen those donkeys and how close they get to the edge. Rafting, yes,donkeys, no

 

[KarenB]

My sister has toured with Western River twice and loved it! Have fun!

It must have been a good experience if she went back for more! Thanks!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I always wanted to raft the Grand Canyon--until I read "Death in the Grand Canyon." Chapter after chapter recounting various accidents, many of them involving water accidents. Now? no thanks. I'll pass. (and I won't go on those darn donkeys either! Although, come to think of it, I don't believe they have been involved in many accidents.)

Okay. I'm going to read that book! I have romanticized rafting through the Grand Canyon. Maybe that will cure me.

There is no way in heck I'm getting on a donkey on those narrow, steep passages! I watched group after group go down. I'm sure it's an adventure and I know they have a great safety record. It's just not for me. One misstep and it's lights out.

 

[pigletgirl]

The mules aren't even allowed in the canyon anymore. Their pee was causing the trail to be washed out! lol

DF has rafted the canyon twice. I will have to ask him. I have never done it.

 

[RadioNate]

I did Cataract Canyon in Utah with Western River. Best trip EVER. Seriously. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it. We did the 6 day and I hate camping and I would absolutely go again!

 

[KarenB]

I did Cataract Canyon in Utah with Western River. Best trip EVER. Seriously. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it. We did the 6 day and I hate camping and I would absolutely go again!

I was looking at that trip in the info they sent us! Glad to hear the positive comment. It looks like SO much fun!!

 

[MM27]

I always wanted to raft the Grand Canyon--until I read "Death in the Grand Canyon." Chapter after chapter recounting various accidents, many of them involving water accidents. Now? no thanks. I'll pass. (and I won't go on those darn donkeys either! Although, come to think of it, I don't believe they have been involved in many accidents.)

When we went, the joke all the guides told was "We've never lost a mule" They don't admit to any human loss, but say the mules know to stay on the trails and will do so for their own safety. One lady in our group cried the whole way down because her mule kept stopping to snack and was getting so close to the edge.


Just curious about the poster that stated that the tours were stopped. Where did you get that info from? All the online tour pages are still selling tickets and making reservations.

 

[theCanyonwren]

Hi there! All 15 outfitters in Grand Canyon are amazing; you can not go wrong with any of them. All have excellent food, professional guides and great equipment. You can find the perfect rafting trip in Grand Canyon that fits your time frame if you could call Rivers & Oceans at 800-473-4576. They work with all outfitters, their expertise and service is free. They will save you time and money. There are many discounted trips this year in Grand Canyon too! They can find all of them for you.

Raft trips are safer than playing golf these days, with the modern rafting equipment, expert guides, a long commercial history of running GC rapids and use of satellite phones. If you go to Dr. Tom Meyer’s web site at hitthetrail.com and read his article on “River Trip Safety” you will get a realistic and comprehensive overview of river trip safety. Dr. Meyers is one of the co-authors of “Death in The Canyon” mentioned here previously by other posters, and while it is a entertaining and exciting book, it is definitely very hyped, as they have featured only the most wild or exciting incidents to describe out of hundreds of thousands of people that have rafted the canyon. The river is over 95% absolutely flat water and while the rapids are big and wet they are NOT more difficult and they certainly not as dangerous as most other whitewater rafting rivers in the world. Having guided on over 140 rafting trips in GC, I can assure you that it is a very mainstream activity these days and all you need is a little sense of adventure and a good attitude and you will have the trip of a lifetime.

The historic and popular mule trips are still happening in Grand Canyon this year, however, it is possible that they will be discontinued as there is debate over the cost of maintaining trails that are damaged by heavy mule traffic. As well as, hikers that have objections to mule leavings on the trail.

Hope this helps you in your search for adventure!

 

[pigletgirl]

When we went, the joke all the guides told was "We've never lost a mule" They don't admit to any human loss, but say the mules know to stay on the trails and will do so for their own safety. One lady in our group cried the whole way down because her mule kept stopping to snack and was getting so close to the edge.


Just curious about the poster that stated that the tours were stopped. Where did you get that info from? All the online tour pages are still selling tickets and making reservations.

I was there in October and the shuttle driver told us. I didn't specifically look it up or anything.

 

[monorailsilver]

My sister & her husband did a trip last September/October for 15-16 days.

Her pictures were amazing, especially her super curly hair from lack of a real shower & blow dry. But I would shower easily under one of the waterfalls she took pictures of.

Some of the water from Lake....forget it's name but where the Real Housewives blonde lady has a house, anyways that water was super blue in her pictures & she said pictures didn't do it justice.

She figured she'd lose some weight with all the hiking they did here & there but nope, the food was so good that I think she gained a few pounds.

She took pictures of the pot o'gold. OK the 'toilets'. I asked her where they went & she said that they came down the river with them & the pots went into the boat with the youngest/newest tour guide.

My sister is in her mid-40's & her dh is in his 50's & there were people that were older then them on the trip & some it wasn't their first trip.

One lady did get injured & fell down a cliff of some sort & had to get taken out to the hospital & I think another lady sprained her ankle but continued for the rest of the trip.

She loved it & would do it again. Oh & she isn't physically fit either & was able to do it.