7/10/16 For many jobs, work and play time are separated. You know when you work, and you know when you play. Lately at GAC, I haven’t been able to tell a difference. First off, we’ve begun commercially running the adrenaline-filled class III-IV Shoshone rapids through the beautiful Glenwood Canyon. With the water level dropping, we’re able to raft more of the Colorado while still offering relaxing and scenic trips on the Roaring Fork River. On the Colorado River, there’s nothing better than getting to shriek commands to a group of people you’ve just met while immediately maneuvering yourself through 20 minutes of … continued
06/27/16 “My water bottle, my water bottle! Somebody, GRAB IT!” My week began with a mouthful of river water, a paddle crack to the back of the head, and a pirate ship full of eight Boy Scouts. On a beautiful day in a calm section of the Roaring Fork River, I was peacefully guiding a crew of eight- to thirteen-year-olds and preparing myself for a class III section of rapids ahead. A moment later I was ambushed by three pairs of hands from an enemy ship and dumped sideways into the water, where my head became a floating golf ball … continued
It’s official: after two weeks of nonstop shivering, vicious sunburn and dodging giant rocks, trees and suck-holes, I am now a certified whitewater raft guide! After taking a week to visit family and friends back on the east coast, I returned to complete my check-out run and guide my first trips. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking jumping into the heat of things after a week off, but the senior guides did a great job of loosening the tension, mostly by making fun of me. Or by making me do 10 push-ups every time I said the word “mine” (for … continued
Glenwood Adventure Company’s (GAC) raft rookies just finished week two of training and are even more excited to be part of the GAC team! This past week, we explored more of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, as well as the Lower Eagle River and Arkansas River. We also had a seventh member join the rookie team—all the way from Ireland! Meet Fionn, 21, from Dublin, who found out about GAC through his uncle while looking for an outdoor summer job. He’s currently studying engineering in Ireland, hoping to one day be a biomedical engineer and work with prosthetics. He … continued
May 22, 2016 Summer is almost here and Glenwood Adventure Company (GAC) is back in action for whitewater rafting! To prepare for another fantastic season, GAC is adding new faces to the crew, myself (Jenn) included. We rookies are from all different backgrounds but have one strong quality in common: our love for the outdoors, and we’re excited for the chance to share our passion with you! On May 18th we had our first taste of what it was like to be a raft guide, and for the past few days we’ve been training under some of the best guides this valley has to offer. We’ve found that hands-on … continued
Dog days of summer got you down? Never fear! Plan a weekend (oh heck, make it a week!) to Glenwood Springs. This beautiful little mountain town nestled between Aspen and Vail is the perfect high-elevation destination to cool off. What makes Glenwood even been are the endless number of adventures to keep you as busy or relaxed as you wish during your visit. Here is our top list of activities for you to beat the heat this summer and stay cool in Glenwood Springs: Whitewater rafting: This has to be travelers favorite things to do in town. There is nothing … continued
We’re proud to say that we work with an array of very talented athletes at Glenwood Adventure Company. Our guide staff boasts a professional stand up paddleboarder, a NFL player and now a member on the national telemark skiing team. Henry Barth is the second youngest member of the United States Telemark Ski Association on the 2014 National Team. In the developmental division for athletes aged 17 and younger, he will compete in competitions at every level including the upcoming World Cup. We’re lucky to have him here at Glenwood Adventure. He’s a great help in the boat house and … continued
As autumn sneaks up on us and the summer winds down, Glenwood Adventure and Lakota Guides Glenwood Springs are getting to run their last trips rafting the Shoshone rapids in Glenwood Canyon. Glenwood Adventure had a fantastic summer and took more Glenwood Springs visitors and locals on the river than ever before. That’s why there is an extremely limited number of spots left to go whitewater rafting in Glenwood Canyon this season. There are less than 50 spots left, so if you planned to get in a last whitewater rafting trip this year you should book a trip as soon … continued
With lower water flows on the Colorado River, August and September pose the perfect opportunity to get the family’s young children, who might not yet be able to handle the stream’s gushing 10,000-plus cubic feet per second, in the water. The flow at the put-in at Shoshone, the largest rapid we raft, ran at 1,490 cfs, as of today – just enough whitewater to get you wet, but not enough to scare anyone. The Glenwood Adventure Company, in partnership with Lakota Guides, will offer the trip until the flow gets too low or the weather gets too cold, whichever comes first, and since … continued
“It’s never too early to check something off of your bucket list, ” said owner of Glenwood Adventure Company Ken Murphy as he sent his two young daughters (just 9 and 11) sailing off the top of a mountain over Glenwood Springs. Naturally, adventure is in these girls’ blood. When they landed the first thing out of their mouths was “It was awesome! When can we do it again!?” Now that, my friends, is how to make a life rich with memories. If you have ever dreamed of flying, or gazed up at the birds soaring above longing to join … continued
Working at Glenwood Adventure Company has its perks. Everyday you interact with folks that are excited to be on holiday and are in good spirits to try something new and fun. We also get to enjoy one of most beautiful places on earth guiding river trips, segway tours, horseback rides, SUP tours, hummer tours, ATV tours and more! It’s not often you’ll hear one of our staff members call this a ‘job’. However, every once in a while, something extra special comes along that just blows us out of the water and reminds us why we get up every morning, … continued
Stand up paddleboarding in Glenwood Springs is one of the hottest adventures on the river right now! First off, if you haven’t heard of stand up paddleboards (SUP), it is an oversized surfboard coupled with a long outrigger-style paddle that originated in Hawaii, and has recently gained popularity on surf beaches around the world. It’s pretty common to see SUPs on the ocean or flat water lakes around the US, but now it’s making its way upstream into the whitewater rivers of the American West. Stand up paddleboarding on a river is a bit of a different beast, but a … continued
Just something fun…
Glenwood Adventure Company just opened up a ice cream and sweet shop. Across the Cooper Avenue from the Glenwood Adventure Company, adventurers can now cap off a trip, or simply stop in for an afternoon treat, with a variety of specialty candy, ice cream and soda. Sweet Adventures, owned by the Glenwood Adventure Company, offer 32 flavors of ice cream, more than 100 different types of candy that will bring back sweet childhood memories and more than 70 different flavors of soda imported from around the United States. The candy and bottled soda can be mixed and matched into different … continued
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a list of suggested girlfriend getaways in Glenwood Springs – trips, places and activities specifically geared to the wonderful women in all our lives. These can be enjoyed individually or all together, but the latter will probably require a full weekend. A morning Glenwood Adventure Company horseback ride: The Glenwood Adventure Company offers a variety of beautiful horseback riding experiences at its ranch near the east end of the majestic Glenwood Canyon. Experience the amazing climes of the rugged Rocky Mountains, among the elk, deer and bighorn sheep that roam the high-country … continued
Glenwood Adventure Company Honored with 2013 Bosco Tourism Award GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – Western Colorado outdoor adventure outfitter Glenwood Adventure Company has been awarded the 2013 Bosco Tourism Award by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. The award honors the business that has most significantly contributed to Glenwood Springs’ ever-growing tourism industry in the past year. Glenwood Adventure Company was awarded for their efforts in growing local employment opportunities, networking to bring more group travel to the area and upholding a high level of corporate citizenship. “We couldn’t have won this award without our outstanding staff,” said Glenwood Adventure Company … continued
It’s been a long time since the flowing waters of the Colorado River have reached the Pacific Ocean. 36 million people rely on the river for drinking water. Our beautiful river provides fresh water for several states’ bountiful crops and millions of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s definitely something worth keeping around. American Rivers has teamed up with several other organizations and coalitions to bring the Colorado River to the spotlight of conservation and restoration efforts. You can read more about what they’re asking from Congress to protect our majestic waterway. In the meantime, what can you do to help? … continued
Vacation is fun. Organizing the details and planning for your adventure can be a drag though. Most families want to have the highest quality experience for the best price so they can stretch their holiday dollars further. You’ll get just that when whitewater rafting with Glenwood Adventure Company. We work with Lakota Guides, who have been in the whitewater guide business for more than 30 years. Our guides receive top-notch training and seek to provide the absolute safest whitewater rafting experience for our visiting families. Even though safety is our number one priority, awesomeness is a very close second. We … continued
Every good adventure needs a sound track… and unless you’re Travis Pastrana it can’t be all heavy metal. You want enough beat to get your adrenaline up and some nice easy listening to let you enjoy the Great Outdoors in Colorado. For our magic adventure playlist formula, start with some “Road To Nowhere ” by the Talking Heads, because who doesn’t like the Talking Heads?! We’re on a road to paradise Here we go, here we go. I don’t know about you, but every time I’m in Glenwood Springs, I feel like I’m in paradise. Whether I’m rushing through the rapids while … continued
Glenwood Springs is nominated for Budget Travel’s ‘America’s Coolest Small Towns’! There are loads of reasons why Glenwood Springs should top Budget Travels list. Locals and visitors can tour the gorgeous Bair Ranch on the seats of Glenwood Adventure’s own ATV’s, have a nice soak in the Glenwood Springs Hot Spring Pool, experience a breathtaking Paragliding flight from the top of Red Mountain, explore the underground sights of the fairy caves and have a laugh at the Vaudeville Revue. Glenwood Springs was named America’s Funnest Small Town in 2011 by Rand McNally. Read the entire report of the their Glenwood Springs adventure at the Best of the Road website. … continued
