The 2010 Musical Raft Trip will take place Monday, September 13 - Thursday, September 16, 2010 and will include the September 13 Grotto Concert in the price of the trip.
The Festival's Musical Raft Trip is a 4-day, 3-night custom Colorado River adventure that traverses Canyonlands National Park by motorized boat from Moab through the Cataract Canyon rapids to Hite Marina on Lake Powell.
Cellist Matt Haimovitz, flutist & piper Christopher Layer, violinist Ayano Ninomiya and other musicians are scheduled to join this trip and create the stirring soundtrack for this memorable expedition through pristine and ethereal canyons under the late summer blue sky. Magnificent scenery is a constant of the relaxed and relaxing journey and is complemented by intimate concerts featuring these world class musicians in unique settings which are accessible only to those that arrive "on the water."
Highlights of the 2010 trip will include the September 13 Grotto Concert, two additional concerts, short scenic hikes led by a local naturalist offering you the chance to learn about the history and spectacular geology of Canyon Country, a thrilling run through the rapids of Cataract Canyon and a scenic flight back to Moab from Hite Marina on Lake Powell.
This trip is suitable for most people in general good health with a minimum level of fitness and agility. No outdoor experience is necessary.
Camping gear (sleeping bag, pad and tent) will be provided.
Buy tickets for the 2010 Musical Raft Trip here.
Trip Itinerary
September 12 – Moab
Brief orientation in the evening scheduled at your convenience
September 13 - Grotto Concert
Arrive at Tag-a-Long Expeditions (8:30 am)
Load and Board shuttle to river put-in Meet motorized J-Rig boats:
In depth orientation to life on the River
Leisurely trip to a stop for lunch and a short nature hike
Continue down-river for your first concert
Grotto Concert (included in cost of the Raft Trip)
Dvorak Piano Quartet in D Major, Op. 23
Lieberman Cello Sonata # 2, Op. 61
Tchaikovsky String Sextet in d minor, Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70
Traditional Music
After the concert and a brief reception continue to the first campsite
Set up camp with help from Tag-A-Long Expeditions staff
Appetizers and dinner as the sun fades over the magnificent solitude of the canyons
September 14 - Anasazi ruins – Ledge Camp
Camp stirs at first light. Breakfast.
Continue downriver
Optional floating / swimming / solo paddling in an inflatable kayak in the river
Side trips may include short hikes to beautiful side canyons, Anasazi ruins and geological sites.
Lunch stop on a beach or island
Camp on a stunning rock ledge overlooking the River
Concert in a second acoustically astonishing grotto
Appetizers, dinner and possibly a freewheelling rollicking jam session
September 15 - Floating Concert, Confluence, Cataract Canyon Part I
Basic itinerary similar to September 15
Concert “on the water” Water craft tied together and floating as musicians play
Optional hike on the “Loop Trail' if schedule permits
Pass the Confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers
Run the upper rapids of Cataract Canyon
Camp on a beach in the Canyon
Appetizers, farewell dinner and maybe another jam session
September 16 Cataract Canyon Rapids & Scenic Flight to Moab
Camp stirs at first light. Breakfast.
The Colorado River’s premiere white water: the major rapids of Cataract Canyon
“Big Drops,” “Mile Long” and “Brown Betty.”
Motor to Hite Marina: Unload J-rigs, load bus shuttle to airstrip
Scenic flight to Moab:
Aerial views of the river and rapids you just experienced
Aerial views of Canyonlands National Park's intricate maze of canyons
Arrive Moab at approximately 8:00 pm
The Musical Raft Trip is a benefit event. Tickets are partially tax-deductible and provide important financial support to the Moab Music Festival and to the Festival’s educational activities in the community. | 
