After breakfast, Kimberly and Evan walked a trail along the river for about an hour, with lots of wildflowers and wide open views along the river. We met Paul and the rafts at the Flying B Ranch, where we bought ice cream with Apple Pay.

We paddled through Haystack and Bernard Rapids, and pulled over to fill up on water from Cold Creek, the best on the river according to our guides. We arrived mid-afternoon at Survey Camp (mile 74.8), where the guides arranged our bags leading to shady tents under ponderosa pines. Evan noticed Bucky blasting yellow jackets with a propane torch and asked for a turn. As the sun went down, Bucky made a fire and played guitar; guest Aidan also played a few songs.

looking toward the breakfast table at Trail Camp
guides working on breakfast at Trail Camp
Day 4 breakfast: blueberry pancakes, fried eggs, and sausage
After breakfast, we set off on a walk downstream toward Flying B Ranch.
We walked along the river as the sun climbed above the canyon walls.
giant blazing star
The trail moved up onto a plateau with many tall blooming mullein plants.
Flying B Ranch and our boats across the river
ice cream at the Flying B ranch
The views downstream looked like perfect paintings.
Our guides recommended we dump out whatever was in our water bottles since the water from Cold Creek was so good.
We relaxed in the shade under ponderosa pines while the guides made lunch.
bighorn sheep along the river
The sweep boat crew set up tents and unloaded our bags at Survey Camp.
riverside tent at Survey Camp
dinner prep at Survey Camp
Evan incinerated many yellow jackets with the propane torch.
Bucky played guitar by the fire as the sun went down.