We designed this 4-day course for a family of three.We will spend the first day learning packrafting skills on the Animas River. We’ll spend days 2-4 doing a bikerafting adventure on McPhee Reservoir and in the San Juan National Forest, camping one night in the woods and the other on the reservoir. This trip includes dirt roads, a bit of paved roads, single and double track. Mileage can be modified depending on ability, and the paddling portion of the backcountry trip is about six miles.

A 50% deposit is required when you sign up. The remaining balance will need to be received through 30 days prior to your course. The remaining balance is due immediately if you are registering inside of the 30 day window.

Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.

An open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, paddle and helmet. Bike bags if you need them. We have six sets.

All food for the duration of the backcountry portion of the trip, plus sanitation kit, camping, etc. 

Food on the days of the trip where you are not in the backcountry, lodging, a working, tuned-up bicycle, transportation. You must have your own car. We do provide the option for you to stay at the Ranch. See details on the registration page.

We base our learn basic river bikerafting and packrafting skills instructional courses on confidence and skill progression. We start slow and push you a little harder as we go, tailoring the experience to your own personal abilities.

For Beginner to Intermediate courses, you’ll learn a wide variety of skills, from the basics to more advanced river reading techniques. This is a list of some of the things you will learn:

• ✔️How to pack your gear in your boat or on your bike for multi-day adventures
• ✔️How to ride with a loaded bike
• ✔️Basic paddle strokes with a bike on your boat
• ✔️How to lash your bike to your boat and vice versa
• ✔️Transitioning from bikes to boats and vice versa

Lizzy Scully (Guide): Lizzy is a Level 2 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. She additionally has advanced Swiftwater Safety training and he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Lizzy started packrafting in 2017, after started as the marketing maven for Alpacka Raft. She spent most of her adult life rock climbing around the world, doing first ascents and major expeditions to Pakistan, India and elsewhere. But now, at 50, she prefers more horizontal terrain on rivers and mountain bike trails. Lizzy occasionally teaches women’s courses and assists when needed on other courses, but primarily runs all logistics for Four Corners Guides.

Sarah Carr (Trip Bike Mechanic): Sarah grew up in the Sierra, and found home in the Pacific Northwest and Appalachia before rocks and wilderness drew her to Colorado in 2010.  She lives in Mancos with her dog Modus, and thrives on exploring new landscapes and disappearing into the mountains, the desert, or a good book. Due to an allergy to paying for things, a few too many formative experiences with mansplainy bro-dudes at bike shops, and a general fear of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, she has developed DIY bike tinkering skills.  She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a Wilderness First Aid instructor, and teaches literature, writing and outdoor education to high school students.

You should be fit and know how to ride a bicycle to do this course. You also need general backcountry skills–can you set up a tent and cook your own food. Some boating skills would be beneficial, but if you are comfortable on water, swimming and a go-getter, you’ll be fine as you’ll be spending the first day learning basic packrafting skills. 

This is a Level 2 course because of the cycling terrain you’ll be covering and the mileage you’ll be doing. You’ll be gaining a lot of elevation, pedaling in the mountains, and then packrafting some fun rapids.