You never paddle the same river twice. Historic Navajo ruins built into the cliffs with panels of petroglyphs. The San Juan River's character changes with the flow rate as well as from a gentle current to scattered class 2 and 3 rapids. A late season paddling opportunity with its more southern location.



The river started out rather like a lazy paddle. The Northstar B17's made the distance we required for the day easy paddling.



Taking out time down the river we were able to explore several cliff dwelling along the river.



Jerry Vandiver and Charlie Thompson were successful in their descent of this Class 2 rapid.



Hanna and Ethan power into this Class 2 rapid.



Going through the canyons in a section called the gooseneck



Time for guitar playing around the campfire



This is some of the darkest skies in the lower 48; making for awesome star gazing.



Dan Schlagel and Ted Bell successfully navigating a Class 2 rapid.



Charlie Thompson improvising a thwart in a Northstar IXP B17 that had been pinned on some rocks in a class 2 rapid. The canoe made the entire trip without another problem; it never leaked and has since been repaired to like new condition.



Gazing at petroglyphs along the canyon walls of the San Juan river.

Hope you enjoyed the story. - Dan Cooke