Boating on Ruby-Horsethief
The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flatwater with sections of Class I and II. This section of the Colorado runs through beautiful red rock canyons and has many day hike opportunities offering both solitude and exploration. The Black Rock section is composed of rock known as Vishnu schist, which dates back about 1.7 billion years. This same rock, which geologists refer to as “an unconformity”, is exposed in certain sections of the Grand Canyon. There is an abundance of wildlife including great blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep. Please note that humans are prohibited from approaching within ½ mile of eagle nests or harassing the birds in any way. Look up in old cottonwoods trees and you are likely to spot the nests and eagles.
Once you start downriver you are committed to going all the way to Westwater.
Seasonal Information: Know Before You Go!
Ruby-Horsethief is a remote section of river with spotty to non-existent cell service. There are no other takeouts until Westwater, and rescues are long and cumbersome. Conditions vary depending on seasonal flows, especially for canoeists (see the Ruby Horsethief Boating Information link for more information).
Spring weather can be extremely variable with hot days followed by snow followed by high winds followed by cold rain. Summer days can be very hot and buggy. There is little shade along the river. Rain storms are usually short but somewhat violent. Summer nights are usually comfortable. Fall is the most consistent weather with warm days, cool nights, and infrequent rain. However, several days of long, cold, heavy, and steady rain can occur at any time. The key is being prepared for almost anything!
2012 Season:
There is a fire ban in effect as of May 24, 2012 until further notice. Fire pans are still required to float the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River.
The campsites Fault Line 1 and Knowles 2 are inaccessible due to low water levels and are closed for the season.
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