Black Canyon of the Gunnison Trip Details

Included / Not Included:
Included: On river meals, all rafting equipment, safety equipment, life jackets, food, cooking gear, tents, BLM user fee
Not Included: Cabin Rental, first evening meal, soda and beer, fishing equipment(rentals available), sleeping bag and pad, and personal items.

Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to the Black Canyon you will need to make flight arrangements to Grand Junction or Montrose, CO Airports. Many guests overnight in Delta at the Sundance Best Western (970.874.9781).
Getting to the Lodge: To get to the Gunnison River Gorge you will need to arrive to Delta, Colorado the day prior to your launch date. Please refer to your itinerary for specific dates and details. On your launch day you will need to drive to the Gunnison River Pleasure Park to meet your guides.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will drive back to the airport according to your travel itinerary.

Documentation Requirements:
Each guest needs to complete and sign a liability release form prior to the trip.

Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with enough cash for guide gratuities.

Gratuities:
We recommend a gratuity of 10% to 15% of the package price to be given to your head guide on the last day of the trip.

Fishing Licenses:
Fishing is “Catch-and-Release” only. You will be required to have a Current VALID COLORADO FISHING LICENSE, easily obtained at fly shops and / or supermarkets throughout Colorado.

Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the mid 50’s to the mid 90’s. In the summer it is usually quite warm during the day and cool in the evening. Afternoon thundershowers are common. However, it is important for guests to be prepared for cold rainy conditions throughout the season.

Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Delta, approximately 15 miles from the take-out. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.

In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.

Power and Communications:
Satellite phones do not work in the canyon. The group leader has a cell phone where in case of an emergency they would hike to the rim to use it.

Water:
Your guides will filter water as needed from the river. They also supply a water bottle at the top of the trail.

Clothing:
As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Two (2) pair of shoes (one to hike and get wet in, one for in camp) You can wet wade comfortably from July 1st to September 1st.

Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.

Beverages/Alcohol:
The outfitter offers a service of getting your alcohol down the trail for you since liquid is heavy. You will need to place your order for beverages (cans only) and then the outfitter will bring them and pack them in by horseback the day before the trip. They only have one horse for this service. If there is a large alcohol order there will be a horse charge of $90 each.

Tackle/Equipment List:
Please remember, a current Colorado Fishing License is required!
Rods: A 5, 6 or 7 wt. rod, 8’6” to 9’^” (available for rent).
Reels: Any quality reel with at least 50 yards of 20# backing.
Lines: Floating WF lines or DT lines.
Leaders/Tippet: 3X, 4X, 5X tippets and leaders.
Flies: Flies may be purchased on the river from the guides. We recommend:
Prince nymphs sizes 18-16, Hare’s Ear 20-16, Copper John size 20,18,16 (all colors), Bitch Creek (red orange) size 8-10, Wooly Bugger Peacock 6-10, Halfback Stonefly Size 4-8, Elk hair caddis size 16-18, Club sandwich size 6-8, Chernobyl Ant (Black Yellow) Size 6-8, Stimulator (orange, yellow, tan) 8-6 and 16-12, Turks Tarantula Sizes 12 & 8. A variety of streamers are also helpful in all colors and sizes.
Waders: Chest waders and felt sole wading boots (available for rent at Gunnison River Expeditions – (no cleated boots please). You can wet wade comfortably from July 1st to September 1st.
Miscellaneous: Lead substitutes, strike indicators, fly floatants, which are all available at our local fly shops.