Stillwater to Cataract with Craig Childs: a photo journey

This autumn Glen Canyon Institute members and staff were joined on the river by esteemed Western writer and naturalist, Craig Childs. Blissful warm days were filled with quiet floats, hikes, and spectacular desert colors. We witnessed birds soaring overhead and sweeping canyon walls as we followed the path of the Ancestral Puebloan people who called the land home for millennia. In the evening we shared stories of the river and listened to Craig unfold its history. Enjoy the following photos from the trip and keep an eye out for the Summer 2024 GCI Member Trip to join next year’s incredible voyage.

Craig on the dory sharing a poem and some writing exercises

The crew hiking to the tower at Fort Bottom

Dr. John at the Fort

Craig helping us understand rock art on a hike

All sorts of ways to go with the flow!

The Green River through Stillwater Canyon

The guides at Holiday did a great job keeping us afloat

Lots of storytelling at camp

After four mellow days floating down Stillwater Canyon, we arrived at the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.

At the Confluence

After the Confluence, we descended into the notorious rapids of Cataract Canyons.

The dory in Big Drop 3. Photo: Dave Lowry

After the Big Drops, we entered the restoration zone of lower Cataract Canyon and Narrow Canyon. This is a changing world, with new rapids, wild vegetation, restoring side canyon exploration, “mud bergs”, and the notorious Dominy Formation. It is something you must see to believe.

Splashing through the returned rapids

Paddling through “mud bergs.” Photo: Tom Wright

The group on the last morning

Another great adventure down the canyon! Join us next year to see the place for yourself.