Environmental and cultural protection

The desert rivers of the southwest are a beautiful and fragile landscape which requires care during our visit. A moment of carelessness can have an impact on the environment that will last a lifetime. In addition, there are many sites and remnants of the land’s ancestral people that deserve special respect.

Every FLOW program begins with the acknowledgement that the land and waters on which we gather are the ancestral lands and territories of Nuchu (Ute), Apache, the Pueblos, Hopi, Zuni, and the Diné Nation. We think it is important to provide this acknowledgment because the narratives of this land and region have long been told from one dominant perspective, without full acknowledgment of the tribes who lived on this land. While visiting cultural sites, it is important to stay on established trails, and do not touch or deface petroglyph/pictograph panels or climb archeological structures. The removal of artifacts such as pottery shards is illegal.

Specialized toilets, kitchen equipment, and fire pans and blankets are provided to minimize our impact on the river corridor. FLOW guides will instruct participants regarding Leave No Trace procedures for food and human waste, fires, camping and hiking.

General details

All river trips are dynamic in nature. Waterflows, activities, and camp availability are all factors that can change quickly. Before booking a trip, your Trip Leader will help you plan an itinerary that meets your goals and objectives.

Launch day

When you arrive at the put-in, our guides will spend some time giving you information on how to travel and live in a backcountry setting. We will discuss river safety, Leave No Trace principles, cultural competency, and a general overview of what to expect.

After a short day on the water, we will land at our first riverside camp! After a short tour, we will ask for help unloading all the gear from the rafts. While the guides set up the camp, you will have time to set up your sleeping area and relax before dinner.

Our guide team will take care of all camp logistics so that you can fully enjoy the experience without worries of daily chores such as cooking and cleaning.

River days

A normal day on the river starts early! We start our mornings when the sun comes up, with hot coffee and tea available. After breakfast, mornings consist of breaking down camp and loading the rafts up for another day on the water.

While out on the river, our guides will provide interpretation of the area and make an occasional stop for lunch or short hikes.

We always try to arrive at our camp in the afternoon or evening, giving us time to prepare dinner and enjoy each other's company.

Take-out day

On our last day, we will aim to arrive at the takeout around lunch time. Once we have de- rigged the rafts and loaded up the vehicles, we will enjoy our last lunch together before heading back to Durango. We always try to get you back to your vehicles around 5-6 PM.

Meals

We take pride in the food that we prepare for you! Meals are nutritious, delicious, and prepared with safe food handling practices. Here are some sample meals that you could find on our trips:

  • Breakfast: Bagels & lox, breakfast burritos, french toast, and sandwiches.
  • Lunch: Black bean salad, deli sandwiches, chick-pea curry wraps, falafel pitas.
  • Dinner: Dutch oven enchiladas, fajitas, pesto pasta with veggies, stir-fry, grilled burgers and brats.
  • Dessert: Freshly baked cookies, smores, and dutch oven cakes!

All our meals are served with sides, and dinner is always paired with an appetizer and dessert.

*All meals are crafted based on dietary needs of the group, so please let us know if you need any dietary substitutions.

Going to the bathroom

To minimize impact, we will bring and set up a portable toilet system at camp each day. Our backcountry bathroom also includes toilet paper, menstruation products, handwashing station with soap, and a trash system for hygiene products.

Weather

The weather is unpredictable and often changes quickly. This is why it is important to bring sufficient clothing and equipment to protect yourself from the elements. It is crucial that you bring the required items on the packing list, even if you do not think you'll need it.

In the Spring and Fall, you can expect temperatures of 60-80 degrees in the day, and 20-40 degrees at night. During the summer months, we can see temperatures up to 110 degrees during the day, and 50-70 degrees at night.