O.A.R.S. Adventure Travel Company Operates Rafting, Hiking, Multi-Sport Trips into October

Whitewater rafting in Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. O.A.R.S. adventure travel company is operating rafting trips into October.

Veteran river outfitter and nature-based adventure travel company O.A.R.S. (www.oars.com/) is operating rafting, hiking and multi-sport vacations into October that promise cooler temperatures along with great fishing, uncrowded wilderness and brilliant night skies.

“It’s our favorite season for hiking and exploring in the national parks,” adds Steve Markle, O.A.R.S.’ spokesperson. “And then there’s the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, which not only has spectacular alpine scenery, but also world-class trout fishing – especially in September when high water has receded, the river is crystal clear, and angling conditions are prime.”

Markle suggests some of the company’s most popular fall adventures for anyone looking for domestic travel from September through October:

Through mid-September O.A.R.S.’ six-day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Explorer takes guests off the beaten track at a time when seasonal visits to the two parks are slowing down. This multi-sport program in wild Wyoming includes two nights of lodging and three nights of catered camping on Jackson Lake with days spent touring Yellowstone and kayaking and hiking in Grand Teton. Through special access granted by the National Park Service, O.A.R.S. has been given permission to camp on an island in the lake, a privilege unique to this company. This trip transports guests into a world of mountain peaks and meadows, trout streams, waterfalls, bear, moose and bison. The rate is $1,589/person based on double occupancy for six days (five-day camping trips also available from $1399/person).

The company’s four-day, lodge-based Grand Canyon Rim to River Hiker in September and October brings guests into one of the deepest parts of the Grand Canyon with an overnight stay at historic Phantom Ranch. The adventure begins in Walnut Canyon, en route to the South Rim, with a close-up view of 25 unique cliff dwellings. Hiking in Wupatki National Monument, features multi-story ruins of red sandstone blocks and mortar.  After gazing into the canyon’s depths from the Desert View Watchtower, a night at the South Rim is the perfect spot to rest before an invigorating hike into the canyon the following day. The South Kaibab Trail, a seven-mile hike into the canyon, reveals panoramic vistas that overwhelm the senses as guests take in the canyon’s grandeur.  The Bright Angel Trail offers a nine-mile hike out of the canyon, followed by a short stroll along the Rim Trail to Hermit’s Rest before returning to Flagstaff on the final day of this hiking adventure. The rate is $1,599/person based on double occupancy.

In September, six-day fishing trips on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River combine crystal clear water, abundant wildlife, amazing scenery, hot springs and Blue Ribbon trout fishing. This Idaho adventure brings guests into the largest federally protected wilderness in the continental U.S., a rugged and varied terrain of pine-clad mountains, rolling grasslands and narrow gorges. The catch-and-release policy along with limited access to the river and little angling pressure has resulted in a river loaded with fish. Twelve- to fourteen-inchers are common, with an occasional trophy sixteen- to eighteen-inch lunker. From $2082/person.

The Colorado River through Cataract Canyon serves up ideal conditions for hiking to scenic viewpoints and pre-Puebloan sites, stand up paddleboarding in the flat water and Class III whitewater through the heart of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. By September the scorching heat of the summer has faded, and with the sun a little lower in the sky, the shade created by canyon walls produces mesmerizing oblique lighting and wonderful opportunities for photography. Guests can marvel at million-year-old rock formations as well as ancient pictographs & petroglyphs while hiking side canyon trails. Four- and six-day trips through October start at $1529/person.

On a special September 14 “Stars with Lars” astronomy trip, veteran O.A.R.S.’ guide Lars Haarr will help interpret the night sky that offers some of the best conditions for stargazing due to the remote location and absence of city lights.

The per person, double occupancy rates for autumn 2014 programs include nights of lodge accommodations and/or comfortable catered camping, all river equipment, dry bags for gear, meals from departure day through the end of the trip and professional guide services.

For more information, availability, reservations and a copy of the 2014 O.A.R.S. Adventures catalog call 209-736-4677 or 800-346-6277, email info@oars.com, or visit www.oars.com.

 

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O.A.R.S. Pairs Wine, Gourmet Dining With Multi-Day Rafting Expeditions

O.A.R.S.’ Wine on the River Series pairs vineyards and gourmet presentations with multi-day rafting expeditions.

Due to popular demand, veteran outfitter O.A.R.S. has announced a second departure of their six-day gourmet wine tasting trip on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River Sept. 5–10.

After selling out the company’s scheduled departure on Aug. 27, this brand-new trip combines world-class scenery and renowned whitewater with chef-prepared gourmet meals, award-winning Idaho wines from Ste. Chapelle Winery and blue-ribbon trout fishing.

Chef Eric Conte from Gnosh restaurant in Moscow, ID, will return for his second trip of the season with O.A.R.S. with a locally focused and seasonally minded menu. Conte is Idaho-raised and takes pride in using the ingredients and products that grow in his own backyard.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho is the flagship program in the company’s season-long Wine on the River Series. The per person price for this trip is $2,282 and includes a scenic flight to the river, six days of rafting and five nights of comfortable camping, professional river guides and fishing guides, all rafting and expedition equipment, dry bags for personal gear, fresh and healthy breakfasts and lunches plus chef-prepared gourmet dinners and an assortment of Idaho wines. The trip begins and ends in Salmon, ID.

Guests from San Diego wrote about their experience on this trip from last fall, “We booked the Wine on the River trip down the Middle Fork thinking it would be a little more relaxing (late-season water levels, wine tasting each night). Our expectations were exceeded in every way!”

They were blown away by entrees of grilled Idaho trout with wild blackberry/nectarine salsa, Rocky Mountain Elk steaks with zinfandel demi glaze and caramelized shallots and more complemented with appetizers, side dishes and desserts such as Dutch Oven apple crisp with cheddar cheese and crème anglaise.

“That the chefs were able to produce this kind of food in the middle of nowhere is astonishing to say the least, and we are pretty accomplished foodies. Five stars in every way!” they added.

Other Wine on the River trips pairing choice vintages with river adventure and remarkable cuisine include a three-day/two-night Aug. 12 departure on California’s Tuolumne River featuring Boyle MacDonald Wines and Chef Chip Roberts at $949 per person; and a five-day/four-night departure on Sept. 14 on Idaho’s Snake River through Hells Canyon (the deepest gorge in North America) with Foppiano Wines and Chef Aaron Woo. The per person rate is $1,695 and this trip also includes a scenic flight from Lewiston, ID, to Halfway, OR, with spectacular views of Hells Canyon below.

O.A.R.S. has been providing whitewater rafting vacations since 1969, handling some 500,000 guests. Over the decades, the company has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventure, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines around the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 itineraries, including one-day and weekend escapes. In 2013, for the seventh consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler recognized Mindy Gleason, O.A.R.S. Reservation Manager and International Adventure Travel Consultant, as Condé Nast Traveler’s standalone Top Travel Specialist in the River Rafting category. In 2013 Outside, America’s leading multimedia active-lifestyle brand, named O.A.R.S. one of the top two outfitters in the world in its annual Active Travel Awards recognition program.

 

For more information, availability, reservations and a copy of the 2014 O.A.R.S. Adventures catalog call 209-736-4677 or 800-346-6277, email info@oars.com, or visit: http://www.oars.com/.

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Blog: http://www.oars.com/blog/

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Greene County Offers Hudson River Tours, Moonlit Paddles and New York’s #1 Water Park

Hiking the Hudson River Art School Trail in the northern Catskills Taking in the spectacular view along the hike to Sunset Rock, one of eight Hudson River School Art Trail sites in New York’s northern Catskills © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Great Northern Catskills of Greene County offer adventure all summer long – from sightseeing tours on the legendary Hudson River, to moonlit paddling excursions and hiking trails that wind to panoramic vistas with 360-degree views. Beat the back-to-school blues in Greene County and cool off in the Adventure Capital of the Catskills.

Cruises along Catskill Waterways

Sail along the Hudson River and explore Catskill Creek, one of the river’s most scenic tributaries, offering access to Greene County’s waterfront communities, restaurants, shops and scenic parks. The Great Northern Catskill’s Waterfront Guide offers invaluable information for boaters, including the locations of full-service marinas, restaurants, shopping districts and nearby attractions. Just download, print and set sail along one of North America’s most scenic and historic rivers.

Hudson Cruises Inc. offers sightseeing boat tours along the river on select weekends, and invites visitors to climb aboard the Little Spirit of the Hudson for day or evening excursions, complete with an on-board murder mystery show, or just in time to relax with friends and enjoy the view. This Saturday, August 10, join in one of three guided excursions to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and discover the fascinating history of the lighthouse keeper as told by his daughter, Emily Brunner. Tours leave from the Athens Riverfront Park every hour from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Reservations are suggested and tickets cost $25 for adults, $5 for children. Lighthouse excursions are also scheduled for September 14 and October 12.

Great Northern Catskills Paddling Adventures

Paddlehead Boards in Athens, NY sponsors paddling events and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) excursions, as well as providing canoe, kayak and SUP rentals. On August 20, join the Paddle Club for an evening of excitement, refreshments and full moon fun with a SUP trip around the Hudson River. Perfect your SUP skills and paddle like a pro on the legendary river as the sun sets and the full moon rises. The group will depart from Paddlhead Board’s storefront at 6 pm. Admission is $60 and includes a paddleboard rental, food and refreshments. For more information about this and other paddling events, visit www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

Starting from the banks of the Hudson River, travel into the mountains for family-friendly fun at Greene County’s premier lakeside destination – North-South Lake State Park. Situated within a few steps of many popular Catskills hiking trails, North-South Lake offers the ideal mountain getaway. Enjoy easy access to popular Catskill hiking trails, paddle the scenic lakeshore and enjoy a Catskills camping trip at one of the 200 campsites available throughout the park.

Don’t miss New York’s #1 Water Park, the Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham, offering family-friendly fun and relaxation, with water attractions, games and more. Experience the thrill of shooting down waterslides bearing names like the “Black Vortex,” or spend an afternoon by the Lazy River with a good book. Open through Labor Day, the Zoom Flume caters to families and groups looking to beat the back-to-school blues by making a splash.

For ticket information, canoe and kayak rentals and lodging packages, visit: www.GreatNorthernCatskills.com.

About Greene County:                

Greene County is located in the Great Northern Catskill Mountains and the verdant Hudson River Valley.  The region is home to five of the 10 highest Catskill Peaks and the Catskill State Park and is known as the nation’s first wilderness. Renowned as the home of Thomas Cole’s Hudson River School and the inspiration for Washington Irving’s literary legend, Rip Van Winkle, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration.

Now through October 13, visitors can share their own legendary adventures through the Adventure Passport Contest. Log on to: passport.GreatNorthernCatskills.com/contest for details and the chance to win a grand prize seasonal getaway to Greene County. Discover the Catskills and Awaken to Adventure at www.GreatNorthernCatskills.com.

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Gunnison-Crested Butte see best rafting season ever for Gunnison River Festival

The community raft race at the Gunnison River Festival. This year's event takes place June 23 – 26.

Just as what goes up, must come down, Colorado rivers are rushing with whitewater after record snowfalls this past winter and local outfitters in Gunnison-Crested Butte are expecting one of the best rafting seasons ever due to snow pack in the Taylor River Drainage that is approximately 150 percent of normal levels.

Not only is there great rafting and kayaking, ranging from Class I to IV for guided trips on the Gunnison and Taylor Rivers, but you’ll see amazing tricks at the Gunnison Whitewater Park, the annual Gunnison River Festival which takes place this year June 23 – 26. Some of the toughest kayaking in the United States is on the Crystal River in Marble, ranging from Class II to V+.

“We’re really excited about the water levels and should have great levels all year long. It also opens up some routes for the Upper Upper Taylor in an area we call Lottis Creek, with Class III and IV water that hasn’t been doable for the last couple of seasons,” says Matt Brown, co-owner of Scenic River Tours with offices in Gunnison and seven miles up the Taylor Canyon, www.scenicrivertours.com.

“We are now offering raft trips every day.  The Taylor River is running higher right now than all of last year and summer flows may be at the highest level we’ve seen in 14 years.  Some think this is scary, but it actually makes the river less technical and smoother to navigate since the rocks are under water and it’s more fun because of the bigger waves,” adds Mark Schumacher, owner of Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting in Almont, www.3riversresort.com.

Gunnison River Festival, June 23 – 26
For a unique blend of hardcore and lighthearted outdoor recreation for all ages, don’t miss the ninth annual Gunnison River Festival.  Where else can you find a mix of USA Freestyle kayaking, a costume river parade, downriver raft race, hooligan race, kayak enduro, raft rodeo, foam boat and Strider Cup bike races for kids?

Gunnison Whitewater Park, redesigned in 2007 and 2008 and with a new feature and footbridge added in 2010, serves as home base for the festival at the corner of Highway 50 West and County Road 38.  Add in Taylor River near Almont and Oh-Be-Joyful Creek near Crested Butte and there is serious fun to be had on area waters.

The USA Freestyle Kayak (USAFK) tour returns to the festival in 2011 with a national point series. Classes include cadet (youth), open men/women and pro classes.  Also, National Whitewater Rafting paddlers will join the North Bridge Paddle Race.  “This brings a new element of great kayaking and rafting to our event as we are now part of the pro tour.  Freestyle kayaking is making an effort to become an Olympic sport by 2020,” says event organizer Angie Mauldin.

For costs, information, and registration forms, visit www.gunnisonriverfestival.com or call (970) 596-7094.

The following schedule is subject to change.

Thursday, June 23
• Go With The Flow Yoga on the River, 6:45 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Event registration and live music by “Red Lady String Quartet,” 5 – 7 p.m. – IOOF Park

Friday, June 24
• Vendor’s Arena/Demo Expo, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Sunset Concert with live music by “Better Late Than Never,” 6 – 8 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Go With The Flow Yoga on the River, 6:45 p.m. – Whitewater Park

Saturday, June 25
• Registration Booth, Opens at 8 a.m. – Whitewater Park
• Community River Parade, 9 a.m. – Northbridge to Whitewater Park
• Downriver Raft Race, 9:30 a.m. – Northbridge to Whitewater Park
• Opening Ceremony, 10 a.m. – Whitewater Park
• SUP Downriver Race, 11 a.m. – Whitewater Park
• USA Freestyle Kayak Races, all day – Whitewater Park
• River City Fun Zone for kids featuring interactive and educational activities to understand watersheds and underwater life, foam boat races and a Strider Cup bike race. Opens at 11 a.m. – Whitewater Park
• SUP Surf Comp, 2 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Raft Rodeo, 2 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Hooligan Race (competitors race in boats made from non-boat materials such as inner tubes, kegs, barrels, etc.), 3:30 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Live Music by “Simpler Times,” 4 – 6 p.m. – Whitewater Park
• Raft Sprint Race, 5 p.m. – Whitewater Park

Sunday, June 26
• Registration, Opens at 8 a.m. – Almont
• Taylor Canyon Endure, 10 a.m. – Whitewater Put-In to Confluence
• Upper Taylor Downriver Race, 10:30 a.m. – Whitewater Put-In to South Bank
• Lower Taylor Family Float, Noon – 5-Mile Put-in
• Barbeque and live music, 4 p.m. – Almont Resort, Almont

Adventure Packages
Dinner Float Trip
Enjoy the area’s only dinner cruise, Rocky Mountain style!  Start out at Three Rivers Resort in Almont by 4 p.m. and enjoy a 10-mile scenic float trip on the Gunnison River to Garlic Mike’s Restaurant for a delicious Italian dinner. You will receive the float trip, vehicle shuttle and a voucher for Garlic Mike’s (tip is extra). The total time required is approximately three hours.  The trip is available seven nights a week with at least 24 hours notice and a minimum of four people.  For prices and reservations, call Three Rivers Resort at (888) 761-3474.

Lodging & Rafting Deal
Save on lodging and rafting when staying two nights or more at Three Rivers Resort in Almont from May 1 – June 10 and Aug. 15 – Sept. 30.  For only $100 per person, receive two night’s lodging in a lodge room or small, one-room cabin and one Upper Taylor whitewater raft trip each.  Price is based on two-person occupancy and does not include lodging taxes.  This offer is not valid with any other offers or existing reservations and can be booked by calling (888) 761-3474.  Other lodging options and custom packages can be arranged.  Visit www.3riversresort.com.

Rock & Raft Package
Scenic River Tours is offering a new Rock & Raft Package, featuring a full day of adventure that includes lunch by the river.  Participants will whitewater raft the Taylor River until noon, stop for lunch, and raft some more before stopping to rock climbing in a new area being developed by Scenic River Tours.  Wrap up the day with more time on the water.  For more information and the cost, call (970) 641-3131 or visit www.scenicrivertours.com.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
To find out more about Gunnison-Crested Butte’s calendar of events and personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association’s toll-free number (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.  Find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta.  The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is served year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.

Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

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