WESTWATER CANYON
of the colorado river - Utah
For Girls and non-binary youth in Grades 9-12
ITINERARY.
The itinerary below represents a standard 5-day GOALS expedition in Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River. Some changes may occur.
Day 1. Travel to Loma, CO. The team will meet today around 10:30am at "GOALS world headquarters" - please arrive with a belly full of lunch. We will drive about 5 hours to our campsite in Loma, CO, where we spend the night before our river launch. After the long drive, we'll stretch our legs with some frisbee or maybe even take a swim in Highline Lake, situated right next to our camp spot. We'll get to know each other over dinner in Fruita, then begin working in our GOALS journals by creating a group oath together that will set our team apart from every other GOALS group before us. After finishing it, we'll drift off to sleep under the desert stars - excited for what is to come in the morning...our first day of river exploration on the mighty Colorado River!
Day 2. Drifting into Ruby. We awake early today to begin our adventure. After enjoying breakfast and packing our gear, we’ll meet our team of professional river guides at the Loma Boat Ramp, where we will have a safety discussion and then begin our river journey - watching for bald eagles atop the towering Cottonwood trees as we enter Ruby Canyon. Mid-day, we’ll set up a “lunch buffet” and then head for our first night’s camp, somewhere near the Mee Canyon/Black Rocks section of Ruby. The geology of this section of the canyon is stunning, as a prominent layer of Vishnu Schist appears as glistening black stone emerging from the river while the red sandstone walls tower over tonight’s camp, glowing red with the late day sun. As Day 2 ends, we’ll enjoy a campfire and share roses, thorns and buds from the day, then drift off to sleep with the sound of the mighty Colorado flowing by and cottonwood leaves rustling overhead.
Day 3. Transitioning from Ruby into Westwater. Day 3 takes through the remainder of Ruby and Horsethief Canyons and into Westwater - the namesake canyon for this expedition and the one that holds much of its’ beauty and excitement. We won’t rush our way through the bottom section of Ruby, though - as this calm section offers opportunities for kids to captain the big gear rafts, splash and play in the warm water, and even hike to ancient petroglyph panels or rock arches.
Upon passing the Westwater Ranger station, the mood will inevitably change - from care-free playfulness to anticipation of the rapids that lie just downstream…but we likely won’t reach them today. Instead, we may have a chance this afternoon to explore some historical relics from the outlaw days - an old cabin or a cave where miners and outlaws searching for and stashing their riches in this canyon once called home. After another amazing canyon dinner and a good campfire chat, get some good sleep - tomorrow is rapid day!
Day 4. The famous rapids of Westwater Canyon! This is what we came for - and why National Geographic has consistently named Westwater Canyon the “best short rafting trip in North America.” The rapids in Westwater are close together and action-packed - with great names like Funnel Falls, Sock-It-To-Me, Big Hummer, and the famous Skull Rapid. By the time we arrive to the rapids section of Westwater Canyon, we’ll have our paddling teams dialed in and feeling prepared - and after navigating all the challenges the Colorado River presents us, we’ll celebrate together in camp tonight - our last canyon camp on the river's edge. The team will enjoy some solo time as we compose a thank-you letter to the canyon, then share one last canyon campfire before falling asleep once more under one of the world's best views of the beautiful desert night sky.
Day 5. Out of the canyon and back home. Today, we’ll float from our last camp to the Cisco boat ramp, where we’ll help the guide team to de-rig the trip, then give big hugs and head for home. Generally, it’s late by the time we make it back to the front range, so please be prepared for a relatively late pickup (10pm?) Remember...don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened!
PArtner Highlight
Opening its “out”doors in 1998, Women's Wilderness is a nonprofit organization committed to creating space for girls, women, and non-binary people of all ages and backgrounds to find their place, voice, and power in the outdoors. Women's Wilderness offers single-day and multi-day courses and retreats, as well as social and emotional programs in partnership with local schools and organizations.
The primary objective of Women's Wilderness' summer youth courses is to provide joyful, safe, and self-aware experiences in the outdoors where campers strengthen outdoor recreation knowledge and skills, nurture a sense of wonder and connection with the natural world, and foster a sense of community and belonging.
Women's Wilderness is excited to partner with Goals on Rivers in 2025 to facilitate this incredible experience for girls and non-binary youth!
COSTS & INCLUSIONS.
Cost: $2030
GOALS all-inclusive rates extend beyond the on-river experience. They also include all transportation (ground and air), lodging/campsites before and after the expedition, and all meals both on the river and on the road during our travel to/from the canyon. A detailed list of all inclusions (gear, government fees, supplies, etc.) is outlined below.
EXPEDITION COST INCLUDES:
Transportation from GOALS world headquarters to Loma, CO at the beginning of the expedition and from Cisco, UT back to the front range after the expedition.
ALL MEALS - from dinner on day 1 through dinner on day 5. This includes all meals on the road and in the canyon - and accounts for all dietary restrictions and preferences. No need to send kids with road money for anything other than snacks.
Campsite near Loma, CO on night 1.
All launch fees and government use fees for Ruby, Horsethief and Westwater Canyon.
All the high-quality gear needed to be safe and comfortable in the canyon, excluding sleeping bags (which can be rented if necessary). Every participant will be afforded the use of a dry bag, personal flotation device, tent, camp chair, sleeping pad, and all river/kitchen gear needed.
Professional, licensed, and experienced river guides who know the GOALS curriculum and objectives.
GOALS curriculum journal and program t-shirt.
A lifetime of memories made and lessons learned.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM GOALS.
We believe that cost should never prevent an interested child from experiencing a GOALS expedition, and work hard to raise money that is set aside to make sure that doesn’t happen. In addition to the financial assistance GOALS provides, we also encourage kids to fund raise for their expedition using our stand-alone electronic fundraising platform and GOALS fundraising events. Since 2010, GOALS has always provided enough financial assistance to make sure that every interested child / family could be involved. This is a record we are proud of, and intend to keep intact.
If you will require need-based financial assistance, please complete the general application for the expedition you are interested in. On that application, you’ll be asked if you plan to apply for financial aid. If you are accepted to participate in the expedition for which you are applying, GOALS will then send you an electronic financial aid application. After it is completed and returned, our financial assistance committee will provide the most generous offer possible - based on a variety of factors including GOALS financial aid reserves, parent and student contribution/fundraising efforts, household income, and additional financial commitments to programs and activities that advance your child’s personal growth.
Please contact GOALS if you have any questions.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
Click the button below to apply for a GOALS expedition through Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River.