A Trip Through the Grand Canyon
No trip through cyberspace can begin to communicate the thrill of
actually running the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This
multimedia journey is intended to simply provide a glimpse of the
river corridor and share some of the joy of being in the grandest of all
canyons.
All river trips through the Grand Canyon begin at Lee's Ferry, Arizona. Although passengers frequently join trips further downstream (by hiking to the river), all private and commercial boats must launch here -- it is the only launch site accessible by road between Glen Canyon Dam and Diamond Creek 226 miles downstream.
Image (left): Lee's Ferry, Arizona, beginning of all
river trips through the Grand Canyon.
Lee's Ferry is also the zero point for measuring river mileage along the Colorado. Traveling downstream (or upstream), the river mileage increases. For example, the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim intersects the river near mile 88. We will explore the river in four segments, defined by river mileage.
Let's go run the river! Remember, you must always wear your life jacket when on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
There is no feeling on earth that compares to pulling the first few
oar strokes that begin a trip down the Colorado. You pull your boat
into the current and use its powerful push and shove to point your
tiny craft downstream, into Marble Canyon, on the way to the Grand!
Image (left): Fishing can be incredible in Marble Canyon. Rainbow
trout for dinner!
You drift the first few miles, fuss with your boat, and whoop and holler with the joy of being back on the river. You are grateful to be off the rigging beach and happy that the car shuttles, ranger inspections, and sleepless night before are finally behind you. On commercial trips, passengers listen intently to "first day" talks about safety, boat, and camp routine. They talk a little about geology, Lee's Ferry, and Major John Wesley Powell. And, like private boaters, they hoot and holler a lot too.
Image (left): Navajo Bridge - Mile 4.
It seems like only minutes until you pass under Navajo Bridge, spanning the gorge 467 feet above the river. When it was completed in 1928, less than 50 people had attempted this river trip. As you read this, a new bridge is nearing completion right next to this one. Boats may pass under the construction only during designated times of day.
Image (right): North Canyon - Mile 20.5.
At North Canyon, a fine, long beach makes a terrific camp. And the side canyon itself is one of my favorite hikes. Wildly folded layers of sedimentary rock create an amazing grotto. It is normally a dry, easy hike. But after a rain, the tributary becomes a playground of waterfalls.
The river flows over rocks and forms "holes." It is usually best to avoid them. An older, well established river outfitter once told me, "...life is real simple down here...you row your boat and try to miss the rocks...that's all."
Image (right): Silver Grotto - Mile 29.
This is a beautiful, but truly dangerous side canyon. The walls of this little grotto are made of the slick, polished Redwall limestone that dominates most of Marble Canyon. John Wesley Powell, the leader of the first expedition down the river in 1869, thought this limestone resembled marble. Thus the name Marble Canyon.
John Wesley Powell named the lush greenery and large spring gushing from the canyon wall after his friend and botanist, G.W. Vasey. Careful! There's poison ivy here!
Image (left): Redwall Cavern - Mile 33.
Powell thought Redwall Cavern could seat 50,000 people. Although this estimate is probably high, the sandy floor of the cavern makes it ideal for tossing a frisbee around.
Image (right): The Canyon Wren.
The call of the canyon wren is a unique part of the river experience. Once you've heard its plaintive call echo through the canyon, you never forget it.
Image (left): Anasazi Indian ruins.
The Anasazi Indians built granaries high on the cliff about 1100 A.D. Since the view from the ruins is popular with river runners and hikers alike, multiple trailing has occurred. Efforts are underway to minimize human impact and revegetate the area.
The confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers marks the
end of Marble Canyon and the beginning of the Grand Canyon. A magic
combination of mineral deposits, spring water, and light refraction,
makes the "Little C" appear a bright turquoise in color. We stop here
before continuing into "the great unknown."
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