whitewater books :: southwest us & california

Western Whitewater

This book is the Bible of river running in the Western US. I have spent hours pouring over the hundreds of runs listed in the guide. Its also out of print and will cost you a pretty penny - but its worth it! There is talk of a new edition/printing but don't hold your breath.

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Colorado Rivers and Creeks

Another Bible also out of print. Awesome photographs that accompany the descriptions. The ratings are very new school so be careful. Also covers some runs in New Mexico and Utah. A must have if you are paddling in Colorado.

My rafting company runs trips on the Upper and Lower Animas if you want to check it out! Surf on over to 4 Corners Whitewater.

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Dinosaur River Guide

Nice flip map if you are planning to run the Yampa or Green though Dinosaur. Don't forget to stop at the dinosaur quarry after your trip - well worth it!

River Runners Guide to Utah

This guide has been around for a while. If you live anywhere close you will surely want this book. It could use some more photos.

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San Juan River Guide

Another nice flip map covering the San Juan river. Even though the whitewater is read and run you will want this guide for the side hikes, petroglyphs and camping areas.

Desolation and Gray Canyons River Guide

A guide for raft and kayak people to the multiday trip down Desolation and Gray Canyons, on the Green River in Utah. For this third (2003) edition, all the maps were redone and improved. Rapids and camps are marked. Launch and take-out areas are detailed. Regional geology is described, as is a solo trip down the river.

Wild & scenic Rio Grande

Great flip map covering the Rio Grande whitewater sections. Absolutely helped me and Jeff make an R2 raft descent of the class V Upper Taos Box.

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Grand Canyon River Guide

This flip map of the Grand Canyon helped me make it down upright! Don't leave Lees Ferry without it.

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Day Hikes from the River: A Guide to 100 Hikes from Camps on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park

If you are going down the Grand you will surely be doing some hiking. Great book to help you maximize your time in the big ditch.

The Best Whitewater in California

This is a great book with some serious runs in it. I know Lars (one of the authors) and he is definitely one tough mofo! Geared more toward kayaking. Get it while you can!

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California Whitewater

Outstanding book by the author of Western Whitewater. Very good maps and descriptions. These guys were pioneers of California rafting so possilbly a better book for rafters than the above one.

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Texas Whitewater

Did you even imagine there is whitewater in Texas? I didn't until I saw this book. Amazingly enough there is a companion DVD available. The author, Stephen Daniel, unfortunately lost his legs in a kayaking accident on the first descent of the Rio Mezquital in Mexico in 1986. He is obviously still going strong - Wow!