Ruby and Horsethief Canyons

The run

25 miles of flatwater and Class I-II riffles on the Colorado through Ruby and Horsethief Canyons. No real rapids - the biggest feature is a mile-long Class II wave train at Black Rocks around mile 13, where the river crosses a basalt outcropping. Canyon walls are red Wingate Sandstone, 1,000-1,500 feet tall. Long beaches, easy bailout options, and the most low-key permit multi-day in the system. Often used as a first overnight for new parties, a warm-up before harder trips, or a family trip with kids.

The permit

BLM-issued through recreation.gov. Year-round, no lottery - reservations open 4 months ahead. Summer weekends fill 1-2 months out; weekdays and shoulder season often have availability within a week. Ruby and Horsethief is one of the easier Colorado Plateau permits to draw, but also one where a cancellation monitor pays off - people book these for quick overnights and then can't make it, so cancellations come up regularly.

Timing

Flows run 4,000-8,000 CFS most of the year, with spring runoff (May-June) pushing 10,000-20,000 CFS. Summer (July-August) is the classic Ruby window - 5,000 CFS, hot, crowded. Fall (September-October) is cooler and quieter. Winter (November-March) is floatable but cold; drysuit required most days.

Logistics

Put-in is Loma Boat Launch, 15 miles west of Grand Junction, CO off I-70 exit 15. Take-out is Westwater Ranger Station, 40 miles west of Loma. Short paved shuttle, $100-200 with a company or self-shuttle with two cars. Grand Junction is a full-service city on the put-in side; Cisco and Moab are the nearest options for the take-out.