Moab Daily | Colorado River

Floating Moab Daily - Colorado River Floating Moab Daily

Colorado River

Overview

RATING: Class II-III (I recommend less than 10,000 CFS for beginners, higher flows are more difficult)
CURRENT CFS: Getting current CFS.... Full Details
MAPS: Big Bend, UT; Fisher Towers, UT; Dewey, UT

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 0 mph.

51 | 27

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 51.

51 | 29

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 27

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 28

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, best in Spring through Fall
NOTES: No permits are needed for this stretch. The current river flow can be checked on the USGS Site ( http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/nwisman/?site_no=09180500 ).

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind around 0 mph.

51 | 27

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 51.

51 | 29

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 27

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 28

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

View Full Weather Details
Castleton Tower - Center Right

Castleton Tower - Center Right

Likely the most floated stretch of river in Utah, the Moab Daily is a class III section of the Colorado River near Moab. The 14-mile section is extremely popular with families, locals, and guiding companies. Although class III, this is a float that is beginner friendly at flows below about 10,000 cfs. Above about 10K cfs, it is solid class III. The rapids, 6 in the 14 miles, with several smaller rifles and wave sections, are all separated by long stretches of flat water that gives beginners a chance to re-group after each short rapids section.

Hardcore river rafters may find this section boring. If you are looking for extreme river rafting, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a casual day out, with exquisite scenery, this is a good choice. It is busy on weekends in the summer, but both the put-in and takeout offer ample parking. Although a shuttle is helpful, hitchhiking is also a good option.

River scene near Hittle Botom

River scene near Hittle Botom

Getting There

Take Out
North out of Moab, just before the bridge over the Colorado River, turn right onto UT-128. Follow the highway 9.9 miles to the obvious, and well signed, Take Out beach parking area on the left.

Put-in
Continue on UT-128 an additional 12.5 miles (22.5 miles total from the turn off onto UT-128 north of Moab) to the signed Hittle Bottom put-in.

Note: There are many camping areas and put-in/take outs on this stretch. If you are looking for a shorter float, you can change the put-in/take out as needed.
A lazy summer day on the river

A lazy summer day on the river

Route

From Hittle Bottom, the river lazily floats along, as Fisher Towers comes into view in the distance on the left. Soon enough, where Onion Creek enters the Colorado, the first rapid is encountered. (Onion Creek Rapid) It is generally easiest on the left and quickly gives way to flat water.

Continuing down, Professor Creek's entry to the Colorado provides the next rapid. Again, it shortly gives way to flat water. In this section, Castleton Tower, the Convent, and Sister Superior become visible in the distance on the left. These towers loom over Castle Valley. Castleton Tower, in particular, stands proudly out on its own (the distinct tower on the far left in the distance). It is a destination and goal of many climbers. (The easiest route, the Kor route, goes at old school 5.8)

More flatwater leads to New Rapid followed fairly closely by Rocky Rapid. The section after Rocky Rapid is a good stretch to stop for lunch, with many good sites on the right to stop at.

Whites Rapid is next, where Castle Creek enters the river. It is likely the most difficult. Stay center or left to avoid a large hole on the right.

The trip is beginning to wind down at this point. A few more easy riffle sections and Salt Wash rapid mark the end of the trip. Just past Salt Wash rapid, Take Out Beach appears on the left. It is generally busy with guide companies getting clients and boats from the river. Be considerate and unload quickly if busy. There is a beach for landing, but also a ramp 30 m ( 99 ft. ) down river from the beach you can drive down to load your boat.


Videos

youtube thumbnail

Moab Daily - 25 SEP 2021/~2700CFS

By: ulical

Maps

Printable Maps:

Hittle Bottom

12S 644362mE 4290763mN

N38° 45' 14" W109° 20' 19"

Onion Creek Rapid

12S 642466mE 4289000mN

N38° 44' 18" W109° 21' 39"

Professor Creek Rapid

12S 640799mE 4287151mN

N38° 43' 19" W109° 22' 49"

New Rapid

12S 639665mE 4285387mN

N38° 42' 22" W109° 23' 37"

Rocky Rapid

12S 638248mE 4284260mN

N38° 41' 46" W109° 24' 37"

Whites Rapid

12S 635029mE 4282763mN

N38° 40' 59" W109° 26' 51"

Salt Wash Rapid

12S 630515mE 4281200mN

N38° 40' 11" W109° 29' 59"

Take Out Beach

12S 630489mE 4280520mN

N38° 39' 49" W109° 30' 01"

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