Geology Tours on the Classic Rivers of the West
2026 Tours :
Dinosaur National Monument ( Lodore ) & Desolation Canyon
“Standing opposite the rock, our words are repeated with startling clearness, but in a soft, mellow tone, that transforms them into magical music. Scarcely can one believe it is the echo of his own voice. In some places two or three echoes come back; in other places they repeat themselves, passing back and forth across the river between this rock and the eastern wall. To hear these repeated echoes well, we must shout. Some of the party aver that ten or twelve repetitions can be heard. To me, they seem rapidly to diminish and merge by multiplicity, like telegraph poles on an outstretched plain. I have observed the same phenomenon once before in the cliffs near Long’s Peak, and am pleased to meet with it again.”
John Wesley Powell at the confluence of the Yampa and Green Rivers, June 17, 1869
This year, Matthew joins us again for a tour down the Lodore Canyon inside Dinosaur National Monument. The stunning Green River cuts through the red rock of the Unita mountains, providing excellent opportunities for rapids, rocks, and relaxation. The Canyon walls are something entirely amazing and uniquely stunning to behold. You can learn more about the Lodore Canyon HERE. We are so honored and lucky to have Matt with us again. Even if you don’t think you are even remotely curious about geology, Matt is sure to find something to get you to think about. And once you start, well, we’re sure you’ll have a lot of questions.
The wonderful tradition of ARTA Geology trips continues this year with two—that’s right, two—amazing geology trips to choose from. It’s a good thing we have a lot of rocks to look at!
This year, our seasoned veteran Dave Cook has decided to tour Desolation Canyon. This wonderful 6 day trip winds through some of the deepest canyons in utah, providing excellent opportunities for rapids, rocks, and relaxation. We are so honored and lucky to have Dave Cook with us again. He’s been provided excellent learning opportunities on our trips for over 10 years! Dave knows tons about rocks and deserts, history, hiking, and John Wesley Powell. And he likes to share all that knowledge in a fun and accessible style. Even if you don’t think you are even remotely curious about geology, Dave is sure to find something to get you to think about. And once you start, well, we’re sure you’ll have a lot of questions.
Learn more about Desolation HERE
Geology trips are an extra special way to get a little something extra out of your river trip. They are the same as our other wonderful standard trips except that a professional geologist joins us on our adventure. They are casual in their delivery and style and are by no means mandatory, and there are certainly no final tests. But if you join us, we know you’ll want to know more.
Desolation Canyon
6 days
With Dave Cook
May 30th – June 4th
$1,799 per adult
$1,699 per youth
Green Lodore
5 days
With Matthew
August 10th – 14th
$1599 per adult
$1399 per youth
Meet Dave Cook
the rock star of the show
Dave Cook is a Principal Geologist with Geosyntec in Seattle, Washington. He received a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio; completed his geologic field camp near Bozeman, Montana; and obtained his master’s degree in Geology from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. It is in Flagstaff where things got interesting for Dave. He learned to backpack and survive with limited water in extreme desert conditions, and figured out that the west is where he needed to spend his life. And, after his first brutal 14-mile hike to his thesis area in the Grand Canyon, he learned that rafting 60 miles downriver was a far more pleasant way of accessing geology in its natural state than hiking. He knows a lot about rocks and enough about history, science, John Wesley Powell, water crises, alternative energy, soccer, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks to make this a very interesting trip.
Meet Matthew von der Ahe
the other rock star of the show
Matthew grew up along the Truckee River in the Sierra Nevada and has paddled rivers throughout the West. After trying several careers and raising three kids, he earned an MS in geology from the University of Washington and now works as a project geologist at Geosyntec Consultants in Bellingham. But his true passion lies in teaching—sharing wonder of geology with anyone curious enough to listen.
On the August 10th Lodore, Matthew will be your trip geologist, blending his love for rivers with his knack for making geology come alive. Even if rocks aren’t usually your thing, get ready—he just might change your mind and show you how geology offers one of the most fascinating ways to see the world.
“Your guides were all incredibly professional, easygoing, knowledgeable, fun, tireless, and all went out of their way to make the trip more comfortable and fun for all of us, despite our constant forgetfulness and lack of preparedness!”