I am taking a look at river junctions along the Gunnison and Colorado rivers right now. I think that the scenery there is beautiful and rugged and conveys a sufficiently hostile environment for this part of the story.
Gunnison River in Delta County, Colorado:
Gunnison River near Montrose:
The East - Taylor Rivers confluence (beginning of the Gunnison) is in the town of Almont, and there is a bridge across the East River near the junction. While there may be some possible establishing shot there, it would likely be difficult to work around.
Roubideau Creek seems to have a bridge crossing it right where it meets the Gunnison river, but the nearby Seep Creek/Gunnison confluence may be more promising:
Confluence Park, where the Uncompahgre River flows into the Gunnison near Delta, CO.
There are a few more promising sites to check out as well. South Beaver Creek meets the Gunnison here:
The next step is to get some photos of these places that wasn't taken by a satellite
.