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Colorado River Base Campout - Topock | Canyons of the Colorado River 4-Day | Lower Colorado Wilderness Camping
Colorado River Base Campout - Topock
The Colorado River offers a variety of world-class paddling trips along the California border, about five hours from the L.A./Orange County area. On this scenic base-camp trip, we'll launch Saturday morning for an all day, 17 mile, calm-water paddle down through Topock Gorge, with its rock spires, towering cliffs, petroglyphs, wildlife and sand dunes. Saturday night, we'll camp in a park with hot showers and enjoy a pot-luck dinner, high-desert sunset and convivial campfire. Then, on Sunday we'll paddle through cattails, rushes and eerie groves of flooded mesquite trees to view the abundant bird life of the marsh in Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. This delightful trip is wonderful for low-time paddlers with lots of energy for a full day of paddling. Experienced paddlers will also enjoy exploring along both sides of the river and up into hidden backwaters as the ageless Colorado meanders through the pristine desert.
While First Strokes level skills are required, new paddlers may also enjoy this adventure by sharing a double kayak or canoe with a qualified first-seat paddler.
Dates:Click here for dates (a new window will open, disable any pop-up blockers)
Minimum skills required: Tour Level
Cost: $245 with own boat, or $295 with SKC boat.
Includes: Two paddling days, river bus shuttle, permits & guide.
Here's a taste of this trip...
Canyons of the Colorado River 4-Day
A Colorado River Adventure
To some, "Adventure" means traveling unsupported - living off whatever you carry on your body or in your boat. That’s what we’ll do for four days as we paddle this spectacular section of the Colorado River. Beginning just below the spillway of magnificent Hoover Dam, we’ll explore renowned Black Canyon, hiking colorful canyons and basking in natural hot springs and waterfalls. Then, as the country opens up around us, we’ll continue to explore the meandering shorelines of the Colorado River and upper Lake Mojave. A paradise for photographers, nature lovers of all sorts, and of- course kayakers, this section of the Colorado abounds in wildlife such as Bighorn Sheep, eagles and wild burros, as well as jaw-dropping geologic and scenic wonders. We’ll paddle just over 50 miles and make self-supported rustic camps along the way - a great way to learn the secrets of kayak camping.
Energetic paddlers with First Strokes skill levels are welcome. This is our greatest river trip… one you won’t want to miss! Experience part of the West seen by only a lucky few.
Dates:Click here for dates (a new window will open, disable any pop-up blockers)
Minimum skills required: Tour Level
Cost: $395 with own boat, or $495 with SKC boat.
Includes: Four paddling days, three nights camping, shuttle, launch fee, kayak, permits and guide.
Lower Colorado Wilderness Camping
Follow the steamboat trail!
Step back in time and explore the building of the West. In the mid to late 1800s, steamboats on the Colorado River helped open the western states...
Join us in an exploration of this little-seen stretch of the River as it nears the southern border of the US. Most of the river we’ll be paddling is natural, with no levees or riprap on the banks to spoil the view as we traverse both the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and the Picacho State Recreation Area. Eagles, burros, beavers and other wildlife abound. We’ll travel about 35 miles total, camping in established State Park campgrounds along the way. Exploration can include quiet marshes, old gold mining ruins and an abandoned ranch, with opportunities for hiking or more paddling into adjacent back waters. For a touch of back-country luxury, there are hot showers at Sunday’s campground. Join us for a trip back through time.
While First Strokes level skills are required, new paddlers may also enjoy this adventure by sharing a double kayak or canoe with a qualified first-seat paddler.
Dates: Coming Spring 2012! Click here for dates (a new window will open, disable any pop-up blockers)
Minimum skills required: Tour Level
Cost: Call our store at 949-261-0200 for tour information.
Includes: Three paddling days, two nights camping, shuttle, permits and guide.
How to Reserve Your Trip and Trip Policies - Click here to find out more details! Or contact us at info@southwindkayaks.com or 1-800-SOUTHWIND.