Paddle: The Green River

Crystal Muzik

2019

Moab, Utah

Cairn Project Ambassador Crystal Muzik smiles while wearing a backpack in the mountains

About Crystal Muzik

Crystal is a writer and adventurer, and has dedicated her career to the stewardship of public lands by working as a ranger for the National Park Service and the US Forest Service for the past 13 years.

50 miles of the Green River

This summer, Crystal is setting out to explore one of the most scenic sections of Utah’s Green River – a stretch known for its high sandstone canyon walls and silty, flat water. Crystal will paddle 50 miles of the Green River from Ruby Ranch to the take out at Mineral Bottom near Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.

The Green River stretches 730 miles from its headwaters in Wyoming’s Wind River Range to its confluence with the Colorado River in southern Utah. Designated in 2018 by the Emery County Public Land Management Act, 63 miles of the river including Labyrinth Canyon are protected as a Wild and Scenic Riverway. The river corridor was settled a thousand or more years ago by the Fremont people, a people predating the tribes who later called the region home. Today, Labyrinth Canyon bears the name it was given 150 years ago by explorer John Wesley Powell.

Map showing the route on Utah's Green River
The Green River with red desert peaks in the background

Why Get Out and Give Back?

“I see how our world is rapidly changing, especially with technology, and there is nothing more important in my mind than encouraging our youth to understand, play, and to learn more about our natural world. To support other organizations that encourage young women to get outside is invaluable to me.”

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