Hi Jim,

The "permit" can be obtained from Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch,
or possibly even Mineral Bottom. There was no fee for the permit last
year. The BLM issued it more to keep track of who is using the river,
when, etc.

Green River to Ruby Ranch passes through some low cliffs, but the only
memorable thing was Crystal Geyser. The spurting remains of a test
drilling. It has built up a series of tufa like deposits. You can also
drive to it, if you don't want to spend the day paddling.

Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom is much more scenic. The canyons start
right below Ruby Ranch. You can paddle Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom in
a day if you work at it, but I'd suggest spending time hiking and
exploring the side canyons.

My preferred guidebooks to the area are the River Runners Guide to
Canyonlands (detailed history, along with things to see), and Belknaps
Canyonlands Guidebook (basically waterproof maps). Both can be found
on Amazon.com

You will need a BLM approved toilet system. The ranger at Green River
State Park will check, as will the ranger at Mineral Bottom. You can
buy them or rent them from local outfitters. The guidelines were that
it must be washable and reusable. REI has a new disposable baggy type
toilet system which claims to be BLM approved, but I don't know that
the rangers will accept it. If the ranger at Mineral Bottom picks up
an empty toilet, be prepared for a fine. Stuff doesn't degrade in the
desert, and there is no need to leave petrified poop for future
generations. Pack it out.

Water is another thing people forget about. The river is silty and
salty. It will plug up filters quicker than you can sneeze. Side
canyon springs are an option, but you often have to hike quite a ways
up the canyon for a spring. If the spring doesn't have moss, grass,
trees or other things growing out of it, don't drink it. There are
poison springs in the area. It is best just to bring your own water, 2
gallons per person per day is enough. I have heard various "settling"
techniques, and will test the alum theory in a week when I am out
there. I did leave water overnight once, and the silt is so fine it
really didn't settle out. Heating water will cause it to expand, and
that settled it fairly well (at a cost in fuel).

The BLM website may be down for a while. It's an issue with the entire
department of the interior (someone hacking sensitive data from them).
If you go to Google, and select "cached page" you will get Googles
copy of the page, with all the text intact.

If there are any questions I can answer for you, feel free to send me
an e-mail.

- Eric