The river and its banks contain a lot of rocks, so be sure to take a comfortable ground pad to soften your sleep. Also, be prepared for hot, cold, wet and dry conditions because you never know what you are going to get. Long sand stakes for your tent and rainfly are strongly recommended. It is a good idea to carry at least one gallon of water for each day you will be on the river, so bring at least three gallons of potable water. Do NOT rely on filtering water from the Rio Grande - at times, high concentrations of heavy metals have been detected, and they usually do not filter out of the water! Quality has improved over the past few years, but this is not a good place to take a chance, then find out it was a bad risk.

Group size is limited to 12 persons, and those interested will be accepted into the group according to when they commit to the trip. Boquillas Canyon is not a particularly difficult trip, but it is a remote wilderness excursion where immediate outside assistance is not available. Good health and physical condition are recommended for safety reasons. Each person in the group will be expected to be self-supporting (meals, camping gear, etc.) A portable toilet system will be provided - please bring your own toilet paper. Tom will bring a 2-burner propane stove and roll-up table. Please bring your own propane if you want to use the stove.

Our plan is to drive to Stillwell Store, located on FM 2627 to the left off US Highway 385 from Marathon, on Sunday evening, March 16. We will camp overnight across the road from the Stillwell Store, and will drive to Big Bend National Park with the shuttle drivers who will return to the store with our vehicles after we depart. Launching Monday norning, March 17, we will paddle for three days, then take out at Heath Canyon Ranch on the Texas side, just below the La Linda bridge, on Wednesday, March 19. We will return to the Stillwell Store and camp there overnight before heading for home on Thursday, March 20.

Camping the night before and the night after the trip costs $5.00 per person per night. Andy Kurie charges a minimal fee of about $4.00 per person for taking out on his ranch, plus about $10.00 per vehicle that is parked at his ranch prior to our arrival. Each vehicle that does not have a national parks pass will be subject to an entrance fee of $20.00, to be divided among all riders except the shuttle drivers. Typically, we tip each shuttle drive about $20.00-25.00, and we give that directly to them before they depart from the park with the vehicles. This is usually collected by the trip leader and given to the drivers at the time the group has confirmed they have everything out of the vehicles that is going on the trip, at which time the shuttle drivers are relased to return to the Stillwell Store.

For a complete decription of this reach of the Rio Grande please visit Southwest Paddler.

Driving Directions:

From Dallas:

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.