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Distance - 30 miles
Difficulty - class I
Paddling Time** 3:40 at 4800
cfs* 7:30 at 850
cfs*
Paddling Season:
The Green river can be paddled almost all year. The water level is regulated
by releases from Flaming Gorge Dam. The river can be floated at levels as low as
800 cfs*, however it is a more enjoyable
trip at flows over 3000 cfs*.
Type of Craft:
Canoes and Sea Kayaks
How to get there:
The Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is located about 50 miles northwest
of Maybell on hwy 318. The Bridge Hollow put-in is located about 10 miles northwest
of the refuge, near the old Jarvie Ranch. Continue on 318 past the refuge to the
Utah border, then follow the signs for the Jarvie Ranch. The Ranch is just past
the Bridge Hollow boat ramp. The Lodore Ranger Station can be found by going south
from the Refuge on 318 to 34 road, which goes south and west to the Gates of Lodore
within Dinosaur National Monument.
Alternate Boat Ramps:
Indian Crossing - just above Bridge Hollow, next to the Jarvie Ranch
Old Bridgeport - just below Bridge Hollow on the road to Bridge Hollow (not well
developed)
Swallow Canyon - 2 miles west of the Colorado Border
Swinging Bridge Campground - Colorado/ Utah Border, western end of Browns Park Refuge
Crook Campground - Eastern end of Browns Park Refuge
Note: The National Park Service doesn't like people paddling from Crook
Campground to Ladore. Technically anyone paddling in Dinosaur requires a permit,
and they refuse to issue a flatwater permit for this section. To avoid possible
fines or legal problems, we suggest taking out above Dinosaur National Park.
Paddling Conditions:
This section is fairly flat with no major obstructions. At low water sandbars
can develop and a minor rock garden will surface before Little Canyon, but all of
that is covered up when the river is over 2000 cfs. The trip starts in a valley
on the edge of the Uinta Mountains. The river passes a few ranches before entering
Little Canyon. Little Canyon is a short scenic section, a smaller version of Swallow
Canyon which is immediately downstream. Two miles below Little Canyon is Swallow
Canyon, a long straight crack in the earth. It's red walls are steep and the river
is calm and deep. Below Swallow Canyon the river opens up and enters Browns Park.
Swinging Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the river, and below the bridge
is another small canyon. Between Swinging Bridge and Crook Campground the river
is calm and flat, with artificial wetlands built up on both sides. The crack in
the mountain which becomes visible near Crook is the Gates of Ladore, where the
Green cuts a deep canyon through the mountains.
Hazards:
Dam releases are unpredictable, and the river can fluctuate from 800 cfs to
over 5000 cfs very quickly. There are no major obstructions in this section.
Private Property:
The bottoms between Bridge Hollow and Swinging Bridge are generally private.
The Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is public, though there may be restrictions
in place. Below Browns Park the river passes through some private land before entering
Dinosaur National Monument.
Camping:
Camping is limited. Camping in the refuge is limited to the two developed campgrounds,
Swinging Bridge and Crook. Land outside of the refuge is either private or too steep
to camp. There is no charge to camp at either Swinging Bridge or Crook, which are
large open areas with outhouses and dirt boat ramps. There is no water, electricity
or other amenities at the campgrounds. This section of river is best done as a series
of day paddles.
Other Things to See and Do:
The Browns Park Wildlife Refuge is best seen by both boat and mountain bike.
There are miles of dirt roads which are perfect for bikes. Hiking trails lead to
several wetlands, and a driving trail goes around part of the refuge. The Jarvie
Ranch is a historic ranch just above the put-in, and the Ladore Ranger Station has
an informational hike describing the geology and fauna in the area.
GPS Coordinates:
Maps:
USGS 7.5 min quads
Swallow Canyon
Lodore School
Canyon of Ladore North
Trip Photos:
* River Gage Information for
the Green River can be found at the USGS Greendale Gage 09234500
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?09234500
CFS refers to Cubic Feet Per Second. The Green from Flaming Gorge can be run
as low as 800 cfs, but flows above 3000 are ideal. The photos on this page were
taken at 5000 and 800 cfs on the Greendale.
** Paddling Time reflects how long it took
us to paddle this section. It is not necessarily a float time, but the time taken
while paddling at a moderate pace at the given flow rate.
Written by Eric Nyre
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Canoe
Colorado