{"id":17411,"date":"2018-09-05T10:00:20","date_gmt":"2018-09-05T17:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=17411"},"modified":"2022-08-17T16:04:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T23:04:08","slug":"ultralight-sup-trip-labyrinth-canyon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2018\/09\/05\/ultralight-sup-trip-labyrinth-canyon\/","title":{"rendered":"An Ultralight SUP Trip Down Labyrinth Canyon"},"content":{"rendered":"

I crossed the Colorado\/Utah state line going 80 in a methodically packed truck for our upcoming paddleboard<\/a> trip. My buddy Michael sat shotgun, wearing a Tom Sawyer looking hat, ranting about the awe and wonder of the western landscapes and how stoked he was to get off the grid for a long weekend. I was only half listening to his rambles, zoning in and out between the soft country music playing in the background, and trying to focus on the highway ahead of me that resembled a scene from Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner cartoon. <\/span><\/p>\n

Michael is a hardass climber from central Tennessee, where his idea of a weekend party generally included 10-15 shirtless dudes, hanging from ropes and bolting new routes in sweet southern sandstone. Also from Tennessee, I grew up in the outdoor industry (my dad co-founded the outdoor store, Rock\/Creek Outfitters), which exposed me to nearly every outdoor activity imaginable. But despite all the boats and boards I\u2019ve paddled, SUP tops my list as my favorite outdoor sport, physical activity, and way to explore our wild and scenic public lands and waterways.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I recently made the pilgrimage Out West to set down (temporary) roots and Michael became my roommate in Breckenridge, Colorado. As a way to celebrate the start to summer and wave goodbye to what seemed like a neverending winter, we headed to the Utah desert to escape the hustle and bustle of our resort town and embark on an ultralight paddleboard trip. <\/s><\/span><\/p>\n

We chose the lower section of the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon<\/span><\/a>, which is known as one of the country\u2019s premier flatwater paddle adventures. It\u2019s a fairly easy do-it-yourself trip and the perfect length for a weekend away. The 47 miles from Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom is all flatwater and can be completed on SUPS, rafts, canoes, and kayaks. To keep it light and minimal, we packed inflatable SUPs, instead of a raft, canoe, or kayak. <\/span><\/p>\n

In all honesty, I prefer the perspective that paddleboarding offers and the ability to quickly get in-and-out of the water is an extra-bonus. However, it\u2019s important to note, our approach isn\u2019t for the faint of heart. We paddled very fast and light, completing the stretch in just two nights. If you have the luxury of time, I would break the mileage into three nights, bring a support raft, and sprinkle in a few hikes up the canyons along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n