Over Thanksgiving we decided to do a packrafting trip through two districts of Canyonlands. It ended up being about 64 miles total over four days, with 25 miles or so on the river. We were able to do a loop hike into the Maze district and get right back to the car.

Heading down into Gooseberry Canyon.

The descent required a bit of route finding. The winter sun meant the canyons were in shadow much of the day.

Some water in Gooseberry Canyon from a seep. It has been a very dry fall.

Getting the boat setup at the Colorado River, at the end of Gooseberry Canyon. There was only one kind of difficult down climb required. It was about 3:30 so we only got in about an hour on the river.

Finally floating downstream. 25 miles to go.

It was a bit cold.

Getting some sun on the second day.

20 miles later, arriving at Spanish Bottom with the Dollhouse in view.

Packing up the boat.

The dollhouse is amazing.

The sun was starting to set by the time we hiked up from Spanish Bottom.

Good views of the Needles district across the river.

Leaving the Dollhouse.

Hiking in the Maze. La Sal mountains way in the distance.

Good sunset from camp in a wash in the Maze.

Packing up to head out at sunrise on the 3rd day.

Good views in the Maze.

Exiting out Water Canyon on the third day.

Ancient seashell fossils at the bottom of Water Canyon.

An interesting section at the end of Water Canyon. You don’t have to climb down here but it’s possible.

Ruins near the river.

Hiking up the bank of the Green River to cross over.

Crossing over to Stove Canyon. The bank we landed at and the hike up the canyon are visible across the river.

Sitting at the edge of a cliff at sunset after hiking up Stove Canyon.

We did some night hiking after watching this amazing sunset while hiking out on the White Crack trail.

Camp on the third night, on the White Crack trail. This is an old road bed.

The next day we hiked out to the White Rim and tried to ascend the “Government Route”. We got turned around because of a sketchy loose section.

Monument Basin from the White Rim.

After getting turned around on the Government Trail we went out the way we came in, the Gooseberry Trail.