Emerald Cave photo courtesy of Evolution Expeditions
We were scheduled to meet with Chris Cherney of Evolution Expeditions last week, but as so often happens, things didn’t go as planned and he ended up needing to guide a group of kayakers down the Colorado River instead. So we got to interview his lovely wife, Marnie Cherney, instead. She is a co-owner of their two businesses here in town: Evolution Expeditions and Boulder City Adventure Company.
Marnie described Chris as a “serial entrepreneur” who began his career you might say, by selling packages of gummy bears to his classmates in junior high. When his business broker explained the Evolution Expeditions opportunity to him, he couldn’t resist. What’s not to love? Kayaking down the glass sheet of the Colorado River, meeting guests from all over the world, showing them the sights along the river? He and Marnie jumped right in.
Evolution Expeditions is one of the longest operating outfitters on the Colorado River and Lake Mead. They are also one of the best equipped businesses. They purchase their kayaks from Germany and there are one-seaters and tandem kayaks available for guests. But having top of the line equipment would mean very little if they also didn’t have excellent guides to educate, entertain, and ensure safety. All river guides are trained in first aid, are CPR-certified, have undergone wilderness safety training and of course, know the sights along the river one may experience.
A typical full day summer tour begins with a launch from base at 6:15AM. It’s a 12-mile paddle down the river with stops at such locations as the Sauna Cave, Hot Springs, Emerald Cave (seen in the amazing photo above), with a box lunch at a stop along river, ending at Willow Beach. Along the way guests can expect to see relics from the construction of Hoover Dam, flora and fauna – including some critters better viewed from a distance, from the safety of a kayak. The trip costs $229 and includes the required National Park Service permits (which is a limited amount per day) and a box lunch on the river.
No previous kayaking experience is needed for those interested in a little adventure. Marnie described the physical experience as “endurance rather than strength”. They have had guests as young as 5 (in a tandem kayak with an adult) to more seasoned guests in their 80s. While the business is mostly comprised of tourists looking to get off the Strip, locals have made up a good portion of the customers since the pandemic. Of course summer is the busy season, but they offer tours year round.
So you may be asking yourself what Boulder City Adventure Company is. This retail business is located at 1603 Boulder City Parkway. It’s here where you’ll find all sorts of equipment for enjoying adventures of your own. From rugged coolers, to long sleeved shirts, to water shoes and waterproof phone cases, you can find just about anything you need to make sure your day paddling on the lake goes well. They sell paddle boards and kayaks and are the only Hobie kayak dealer in Clark County. You can look over what’s in stock and make a same day purchase, or outfit a kayak to your specifications and have it built and delivered.
Evolution Expedition can be found online at the links below:
- Website is HERE
- Facebook is HERE
- Instagram is HERE
- Pinterest is HERE
- Trip Advisor is HERE
- Yelp is HERE
If you’d like to rent paddle boards or kayaks, that can be arranged as well by calling (702) 259-5292. This is the same number you call to set up a killer bachelor party on the river, or corporate team building event, family reunions and the like. You can be sure this experience will be something everyone in your party will remember for years to come! Give them a call soon.
