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Trip Report

Gray Canyon — September 2023 (Nefertiti Base Camp)

A three-person September 2023 Gray Canyon dory trip at 2,350 cfs — three days run off a Nefertiti base camp rather than a standard linear itinerary. Low-water fall with the Three Fords, Coal Creek, and Nefertiti rapids running technical and rocky, and a bike shuttle back to the put-in.

3 days 2,350 cfs 3 people dory
Season fall
Launch 8-31-2023
Flow 2,350 cfs
Water 78°F avg
(USGS)
Weather 44–83°F
Takeout 9-2-2023
Conditions

2,200–2,500 CFS

3 days
2,350 cfs
5 ft/mi
1 boats
3 photos
Day 1 8-31-2023

2,540 cfs (USGS daily mean), water 78°F | Thompson, UT: 0.01in precip

sand castles
Day 2 9-1-2023

2,550 cfs (USGS daily mean), water 78°F | Thompson, UT: 0.06in precip

caribean buddies
Day 3 9-2-2023

2,640 cfs (USGS daily mean), water 78°F | Thompson, UT: 0.06in precip

sun soaked fun
Scenes from the River

Moments the crew logged on this run.

  • Low Water River Reading

    Exposed rocks, braided channels, subtle line logic. Low water turns every river mile into a puzzle where the wrong choice means dragging.

    • focus
    • frustration
    • competence

  • The Shuttle Gospel

    The river trip officially begins or ends with the least romantic question in the West: who has the keys, where is the takeout vehicle, and why is the person with the answer currently out of cell service? Shuttle logistics are the hidden skeleton of river travel — dusty, unphotogenic, absolutely essential, and funnier after the boats are finally rigged.

    • focus
    • practicality
    • anticipation
    • humor
    • relief
    • competence
Gear

Dory. Bike shuttle.

Data

Flow: USGS Green at Green River UT (09315000), 2,540–2,640 cfs daily mean.

Weather: Green River Airport, UT, 44–83°F. NOAA GHCN-Daily

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Service Providers
  • Tex's Riverways shuttle · Moab, UT Shuttle service for Green River and Colorado River trips in eastern Utah. Covers Desolation Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon, Stillwater, and Cataract Canyon put-ins and take-outs. Tex's Riverways
  • Redtail Aviation shuttle · Green River, UT Fly-in shuttle service for remote river launches in eastern Utah. Provides air access to Sand Wash and other backcountry put-ins for Desolation Canyon trips. Redtail Aviation