White River specs

Driving distance (Boulder to Rangely, CO): 297 miles, 5-6 hours

Shuttle: approx 2 hours RT depending on which takeout we pick. Significant dirt roads

River leg: lots of options detailed below:

• Rangely to mountain fuel bridge 63 mi, (river mile 84 to 21) 20 miles of ranch land
• Cowboy Canyon to mountain fuel bridge (river mile 63 to 21) 42 mi, requires 4wd vehicles with high clearance [NOTE: the put in at Cowboy Canyon is now closed to the public]
• Bonanza bridge to the Enron take out 32 mi (river mile 56 to 21), this take out is free!
• Bonanza bridge to mountain fuel bridge 35 mi (river mile 56 to 21), the "standard" float
• Bonanza bridge to Green confluence on rt 88 55 mi (river mile 56 to 1), not clear on how this takeout is configured
  NOTE: Both takeouts are on Ute territory and require a fee and a permit.

Upside: This float is supposed to be beautiful and remote. The river isn't even described in most online river guides. Nevertheless it's pure wilderness; so far those who describe it do so reluctantly, noting that it is a well-kept secret. Jerry, our excellent online river guide, has got some great pictures and hyperlinks http://home.mesastate.edu/~jerry/guide/dhpics.htm. Apparently there's tons of wildlife watching, plus there's a bizarre geological formation called Goblin City on river mile 37, which would involve a nice day hike. The area is polluted with petroglyphs as well, although I'm not clear whether there are any on the river itself. It's flat, easy water in canyon land. Plenty of campsites; unlike the Green, we won't be fighting to find holes in tamarisk hedges. The drive is relatively short, and for once does not involve the same old route 70 churn. For the veterans, there's a nice bonus; hauling out solid waste is not required.

Downside: Because the White is relatively lush, the wildlife will include flying insects. Because it's relatively high altitude, it won't be desert climate floating. Average lows for May are in the 40ss and highs are in the 70s. No doubt the water will be on the frigid side- right now its peak temperature is around 58 degrees during the day, and I don't anticipate the snowmelt will warm it up much. If you get drunk and fall in, you will be instantly sober. So the same climate as the Yampa, but more wilderness. And as we get into Utah, it should warm up. Plus it will be late may so hopefully the temperatures will be on the high side of the average.