The 2012 Musical Raft Trip will take place Monday, September 10 - Thursday, September 13, 2012 and will include the September 10 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.

Selected Festival musicians (2011 Raft Trip included violinist Arnaud Sussmann, cellist Nick Canellakis, flutist & piper Christopher Layer, and fiddler Paul Woodiel) will 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 2012 trip will include the September 10 Grotto Concert, two additional concerts, short scenic hikes led by a local naturalist which will give patrons insigths into the 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 2012 Musical Raft Trip here.

Trip Itinerary 

September 9 – Moab

Arrive at Moab lodging you have reserved on your own. 
Brief orientation scheduled at your convenience at which you will receive your dry bag and ammo can.

September 10 - 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 
Motor downriver to a stop for lunch and a short hike 
Continue down-river for your first concert 
Grotto Concert (included in cost of the Raft Trip) 
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 11 - 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 jam session 

September 12 - Floating Concert, Confluence, Cataract Canyon Part I

Basic itinerary similar to September 11 
"Water Music" Concert. 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 13 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 8:30 pm 

The Musical Raft Trip is a benefit event. $500 of the ticket price is tax-deductible and provides important financial support to the Moab Music Festival and to the Festival’s educational activities in the community.