Outdoor activities are Grand indeed

Of all the counties in Utah, few can compete with Grand County in its offering of recreational adventures, running the gamut from floating rivers to biking over slick rocks to looking for popular movie scenes.

Few counties, too, have the worldwide reputation for adventure. Among other things, the Moab area is continually recognized as offering some of the best mountain biking in the world.

What you know:

Four of Utah's most noted white-water river adventures are tied into Grand County — Cataract, Westwater, The Daily and Desolation Canyon.

Moab is home to a number of rafting companies offering everything from half-day paddle trips to thrill-seeking, multi-day rides through Big Drops One, Two and Three in Cataract.

The daily trips float a 12-mile section of the Colorado that begins at Hittle Bottom, named after an early homesteader, and goes to the takeout near Moab.

Along the waterway, there are six rapids. Most would be considered Class 2 at low water. One, Whites Rapid, can rightfully be listed as a borderline Class 3. Even in low water, this can be a challenging section of churning water.

In recent years, small boats called "duckies" have become popular. They're long, around 12 feet from tip to tail, and flat like a hollowed-out log. Most are made for two passengers, while some hold one. They're comfortable to sit in, easy to paddle, require no bailing and are relatively safe. But they will flip.

Cataract Canyon is the most recognized section of fast-flowing river in Utah. The trip starts a little west of Moab and flows past Goose Neck, the confluence with the Green River, through Cataract Canyon, over the sand waves above Hite and on into Hite. It's roughly 120 miles of untamed river running through the very heart of Canyonlands National Park. In sections, the water is so calm and flat it becomes a mirror, and it runs through other sections so rugged desert bighorn sheep have to watch their step.

The rapids begin just below the confluence, where boaters encounter some of the fiercest white water in America. During high water, the rapids are often ranked among the world's roughest.

Starting with the first rapid a few miles from the confluence and ending with Imperial, a rapid that resurfaced a few years back with the low water level at Lake Powell. In all, there are 28 separate rapids.

Desolation Canyon on the Green is shared by a number of counties. Boats launch in Uintah County, and takeout is near the town of Green River.