Many had never stepped an unsure foot into a canoe and almost all had never floated the Bear River in northern Utah. They came together on an invitation from the Utah Rivers Council to learn about the importance of the Bear where it re-enters the state after flowing through Wyoming and Idaho from its headwaters in the Uinta Mountains.
The float was the perfect way for Uilani Chun and Dave Chong to get to know their new home, having recently moved from Honolulu to Salt Lake City.
"We had heard this is the place to be for outdoors stuff. We wanted to get to know what this state has to offer," Chun said.
She was not disappointed. The paddlers were a little cold upon hitting the water on this fall morning, but they soon warmed up.
"There was a fair amount of physical activity, so that took care of the cold," Chun said. "It was very scenic. We also really enjoyed the stopovers with the resident biologist."
Utah may not boast the canoe waters of the Midwest or South, but there is ample opportunity to float your boat. And while it can be intimidating in fast water, canoeing is considered a safe and peaceful way to enjoy some of the state's most scenic landscapes. Summer and fall are the best times to go canoeing on Utah rivers, while reservoirs are often available for a float year-round.
Utah Rivers Council volunteer guide Lyle Gill served as the "resident biologist" on this leisurely bob down the Bear. He occasionally halted the group - with just some minor bumper boat action - to talk about ever-increasing exotic species along the river corridor and the threat of proposed water diversion and to point out the variety of wildlife.
Soon after the group launched at the Upper Bear River Recreation Area boat ramp, a mule deer scampered from the water's edge. Minutes later, a great horned owl left its late-morning roost above the river. Later, large flocks of Canada geese, seagulls and pelicans took of en masse when the canoes floated too close. The birds circled for a minute or two and then landed back in the flooded field.
There was also plenty of time for personal discovery along the 2 1/2-hour float. Hawk Harris, a 7-year-old from Salt Lake City, joined his mother, Lisa, for the journey.
"I like the little whirlpools my paddle makes," he said, studying the water just out of his reach. "This is really cool."
That's exactly the response Utah Rivers Council director Merritt Frey likes to hear.
"Through our Explore outings series we try to connect people with the incredible rivers Utah has to offer -- from backyard rivers like the Jordan or the Bear to the mighty Green," she said. "We've found that when people visit a river like the Bear, they become passionate about protecting that river. And passionate people make the best case for stewardship."
While the trip was sponsored by Utah Rivers Council, the 16-foot canoes and shuttle service was provided by Muddy Road Outfitters. Jim and Barbara Watterson have been running the canoe outfitting business for seven years, with their home, nestled next to the water, serving as a take-out point.
The Wattersons say the floats are especially popular with Utah State University students, church groups, family reunions, dates and bird watchers. Many of the clients are locals, but a fair share come from the Wasatch Front. Muddy Road Outfitters maintains no age limit for the canoes, but suggests that paddlers bring pre-fit life jackets for those under 5.
Some stay away from canoes because they fear tipping over. But this group of beginners made it the entire day without an accidental dunking.
"When it is warmer they tip daily, but people are doing that purposely. Some of those water fights get kind of crazy," Jim Watterson said. "Unexpected excitement is what tips people over when they don't want to. We had a guy from Salt Lake who stood up to take some pictures of birds and he went right in. It is pretty easy to stay afloat if you try."
The recreational canoeing season on the Bear River typically runs from the end of high water in the spring -- limited because it is impossible to get under a bridge - through September. Some hardy souls, mostly waterfowl hunters and anglers, canoe the river throughout the fall and winter.
--- BRETT PRETTYMAN can be contacted at brettp@sltrib.com or 801-257-8902. Send comments to livingeditor@sltrib.com.
Places to canoe in Utah
According to the Utah Rivers Council. Remember, river conditions can change rapidly. Always use caution.
Bear River: Upper Bear River Recreational Area to Benson Marina.
Jordan River: 1700 South to 300 South.
Jordan River: Inlet Park (Utah Lake outlet) to Willow Park.
Little Dell Reservoir:
Uinta Mountain lakes:
Bear River: Tremonton/Deweyville (Hwy 102 boatramp) to Elwood Park
Cutler Marsh Wetlands Maze: (http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wetlandsmaze/canoe.html)
Near Bear River Migratory Refuge: put in at Corrine boat ramp and paddle to take out just above Refuge (about 6 hours) or put in outside of Refuge and paddle upstream (slow current) as far as your arms will take you before turning and floating back to starting point.the put in (now take out).
White River: one-day to multi-day trips (peaks in May and June), but can be run year-round in decent water years. Peak flow months are better for rafts or experienced boaters.
Labyrinth Canyon (Green River): in the fall only for more experienced.
Stillwater Canyon (Green River): in the fall only for more experienced.
Weber River: Riverdale City Hall to Fort Buenaventura, spring and summer.
Floating the Bear River
Paddlers can float the Bear River on their own or hire Muddy Road Outfitters. The most popular float is a 2 1/2-hour journey from the Upper Bear River Recreation Area launch (known as Ballard Bridge) to the home of Jim and Barbara Watterson -- owners of Muddy Road Outfitters. Those floating on their own can continue past the Watterson home to Benson Marina. Muddy Road Outfitters charges $25 for each canoe or $18 for each boat when three or more are reserved. The price includes life jackets, seat cushions, paddles, squirt guns and a shuttle. Call the Wattersons at 435-753-3693 for information or reservations.
