We gave this trip considerable thought before booking, and overall it was a memorable experience…read morewith several outstanding aspects, but also several areas that would benefit from meaningful improvement.
First, the positives. The guides were exceptional. They were professional, hardworking, safety-focused, and consistently maintained a positive attitude despite challenging conditions. Peyton, in particular, was outstanding and deserves special recognition for his leadership, dedication, and ability to make the best of every situation. The guides are clearly the organization's greatest asset.
That said, there were several operational and quality concerns that significantly impacted our experience.
Our itinerary instructed us to arrive at 7:00 a.m., which we did. However, we did not depart until nearly 11:00 a.m. Much of that time was spent loading canoes and equipment, which became an all-hands effort involving guests. This lengthy delay reduced valuable time on the river.
The quality of the equipment was another concern. After paddling approximately 15 miles on the first day, we arrived at camp around 5:00 p.m. only to discover that the rental tent was in poor condition. Tent poles had been repaired with duct tape, the zippers were broken, and the stove was not operational. Fortunately, the guide was able to improvise a repair, but these are issues that should have been identified during routine equipment inspections before the trip began. As a result of these delays, dinner was not served until approximately 8:25 p.m., when everyone was simply exhausted and ready to eat and sleep.
Food was another area where expectations did not align with what was advertised. Prior to the trip, I specifically informed the owner that one member of our group was a selective eater who enjoys foods such as beef, chicken, pasta, and eggs. Despite that advance notice, dinner consisted of cheeseburgers on both the first and second evenings. While the food itself was well prepared, there was very little variety. The website references meals such as salmon and brisket, creating an expectation of a more diverse menu. Instead, our dinners consisted primarily of cheeseburgers and stir fry. Again, this is not a reflection on the guides--they prepared excellent meals with the ingredients they were given--but rather on the planning and provisioning process.
River conditions were also challenging due to unusually low water levels. At multiple locations we were required to exit the canoes and walk them over shallow, rocky sections. While I understand that river levels are outside your control, it is something prospective guests should be made aware of in advance when conditions are expected to be unusually low.
The most disappointing aspect of the trip was the take-out location. Rather than ending at a maintained boat ramp or designated landing, the trip concluded beneath a highway bridge in an area littered with trash. We encountered two homeless individuals living nearby, observed discarded garbage throughout the area, and I personally saw two used hypodermic needles. It was a startling way to conclude what had otherwise been a beautiful river experience. The steep path used to carry the canoes and equipment back to the vehicles was also covered in debris. Ironically, the two homeless gentlemen kindly assisted everyone in carrying gear up the hill, for which we were genuinely appreciative. However, the overall condition of the take-out site left a lasting negative impression.
In summary, the people made this trip worthwhile. Your guides demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and outstanding customer service under difficult circumstances. However, there appear to be systemic quality control issues involving equipment maintenance, trip logistics, menu planning, and the condition of the launch and take-out facilities. Addressing these areas would substantially improve the overall guest experience and allow the outstanding work of your guides to truly shine.
Despite the concerns outlined above, we do not regret taking the trip. The river itself was beautiful, and your guides worked incredibly hard to overcome challenges that were largely outside of their control. Our hope is that you view this feedback as an opportunity to strengthen the overall experience. With better equipment maintenance, improved logistical planning, greater menu variety, and a more suitable take-out location, this could easily become an exceptional trip from start to finish.
