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DURANGO — The Fort Lewis College Alumni Association has teamed with Centennial Canoe to offer a pair of historical canoe trips down the Gunnison River next summer. Trips will take place from July 10-12 and August 7-9, 2009. Cost is $320 per person and space is extremely limited, as maximum capacity on each trip is 23 customers. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Alumni Association's general fund.
In addition to Centennial Canoe's licensed guides, Fort Lewis College Professor of Southwest Studies and History Andrew Gulliford will facilitate these trips and discuss the history and geography of this region. He will reveal the little-known cowboy history of the Escalante and Dominguez Canyon areas and the colorful characters that helped shape the Grand Junction and Delta landscapes.
The region's first Native American inhabitants, Spanish explorations, mineral booms and busts, farming and ranching, and 20th century economic activities such as tourism and defense industries all contributed to this area. Explore how this combination of people, activities and environment helped create a distinct regional character and identity.
Gulliford said that on one of his expeditions into the area, he found historic cowboy corrals, rock shelters made by sheepherders, prehistoric Fremont and historic Ute Indian rock art, and a magnificent, wild canyon system perfect for exploring.
Canoeing on the Gunnison River will spark a sense of adventure with opportunities for hiking and exploring, floating in your lifejacket and camping along the river's edge. During this trip, participants will be dwarfed by high walls of red sandstone and shale deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. Massive cottonwoods stand on many river bends supporting the huge nests of blue herons, hawks and eagles. Participants may hike into Dominguez Canyon (a Wilderness Study Area), one of the most beautiful stops on the river. Hiking into the canyon will reveal deep, cool swimming holes, waterfalls and many ancient petroglyphs.
All meals are provided on the trip, and menus may include salmon fillets, barbecue ribs, salad, rice and pie for dinner. Daily happy hours include wine, cheese and shrimp hors d'oeuvres.
For more information, visit www.centennialcanoe.com or call 720-283-0553.
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The limit for the Alumni Association's canoe trips down the Gunnison River is 23 customers per outing.
Desert bighorns can be viewed and photgraphed along the Gunnison River.
Ancient Freemont Indian rock art can be seen throughout the canyon.
Jumping into Dominguez Canyon pools.
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