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Category: Grand Canyon Naitonal Park

12 September 2011

Part 5 – Rafting the Colorado River Day 1–Playing at Elves Chasm

Staff at Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
OK, so I didn’t see any little people while rafting the Colorado River.
Kristi jumping & Shelly next at Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Just our staff having a whole lot of fun at Elves Chasm. This is a very popular stop for river runners and can get quite crowded. Yet we enjoyed it to ourselves for over an hour.
Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
This slot canyon provided us with a dip or two in the pool below the falls.
View to N from Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Some people hiked to the upper falls. I just enjoyed the views.
Brecia by Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
And some really cool rock.
Leaving Elves Chasm ~RM 117.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Before too long it was time to leave and continue down river to set up camp for the night.

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Arizona, Colorado River trip, Grand Canyon Naitonal Park Elves Chasm, rafting 18 Comments
29 August 2011

Rafting the Colorado River–Day 1 Big Water

Looking at the South Rim from Phantom Ranch bunkhouse Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Awoke to a beautiful partly cloudy morning, a perfect day to begin rafting the Colorado River.  Looking up at the South Rim made me feel extremely small.

Trip leader at orientation River Ranger Station Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

After a breakfast of reheated spaghetti from the night before (breakfast didn’t make it down to the ranch) our trip leader Dave spent time going over safety before we could embark on rafting the Colorado River.  Other than hold on tight and always wear your PFD (life jacket) while on the boat we were told that most accidents happen on shore at camp or while hiking.  Advice was to move at half speed.

Some of the crew at 120 Mile camp Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This was the 2nd Annual NPS All Employee River Trip consisting of staff from many different divisions at Grand Canyon National Park.  This was not a paid vacation but a working river trip.  I’ll fill you in on projects that are taking place along the river as we get there.

Looking up river at Kaibab Suspension Bridge ~RM88 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Kaibab Suspension Bridge RM88

Our journey began about (~) river mile (RM) 88.1.  River miles are based on the 2002 U.S. Geological Survey conducted by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.  Starting point is the gauging station cable at Lee’s Ferry.

Bright Angel Suspension Bridge ~RM88.4 Colorad River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Bright Angel Suspension Bridge ~RM88.4

Compared to the normal 8000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for mid-August, massive snow pack and melt from the Rocky Mountains allowed the release of 26000 cfs through Glen Canyon Dam.  Quite a difference and made for an exciting and muddy journey rafting the Colorado River for this trip.

Looking up river at Horn Creek Rapid ~RM90.8 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Looking up river at Horn Creek Rapid rated 7-9 ~RM90.8

A big water day with six rapids rated over 5 during the first 12 miles, before lunch.  Rapid ratings are given on a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 the most difficult.  Ratings are based specifically for the Colorado River on flows between 5000 and 25000 cfs.

Small raft ~RM91.2 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Our journey included two motorized rafts.  The smaller 22 foot “snout” usually took on four passengers, a swamper (helper), the boatwoman in this case, and all our personal gear in large dry-bags.  The larger 37 foot “S-rig” carried 12 passengers, a swamper,  boatman and lots of gear including tents, cots, sleeping pads, kitchen and food, plus the toilet facilities (of course packed separately).

Looking up river at Hermit Rapid ~RM95.5 Colorado River Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Looking up river Hermit Rapid rated 7-8 ~RM95.5

Before the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, large floods on the river would disperse the smaller boulders from debris flows downstream, lessening the severity of rapids.

Crystal Rapid rated 7-10 ~RM99

A 1966 debris flow tumbled boulders from Crystal Creek causing Crystal to become a major rapid.  In 1983 the National Park Service asked passengers to walk around the dangerously swollen Crystal Rapid.  I found it the most exciting rapids so far.

~RM99.5 Colorado River Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

“Clouds are playing in the canyon today. Sometimes they roll down in great masses, filling the gorge with gloom; sometimes they hang aloft from wall to wall and cover the canyon with a roof of impending storm…”                      –John Wesley Powell

Lunch at Lower Tuna camp ~RM100.1 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Lunch at Lower Tuna camp ~RM100.1

Sandbars along the river make ideal campsites, and lunch stops.  In an effort to reduce problems with scavengers tarps are laid out under the kitchen setup and then small scraps are dumped into the river where they will be quickly washed away.  We enjoyed a variety of lunchmeats and cheeses along with lettuce, tomato and avocado, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, served with fruit.

Our adventure rafting the Colorado River continued through the Gems after lunch.

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Arizona, Colorado River trip, Grand Canyon Naitonal Park, National Parks and Monuments Colorado River, Crystal Rapid, rafting 19 Comments
25 August 2011

SWF–Look up from the Colorado River

01~RM96.5 Colorado River GRCA NP AZ (1024x736)

Rafting on the Colorado River changed the way I look at the Grand Canyon.

02 Bright Angel Suspension Bridge ~RM88.4 Colorado River GRCA NP AZ (1024x694)

Several times I’ve crossed the Silver Bridge to hike up from the depths of the canyon.

03 ~RM99.5 Colorado River GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)

We welcomed the cloudy sky which gave reprieve from 100F+ on our first day.

04 ~RM99.5 Colorado River GRCA NP AZ (1024x743)

And yet the sun poked through occasionally as we floated down the river.

05 Sunset from 120 Mile camp ~RM120.4 Colorado River GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)

Plus the sunset from camp predicted a delightful second day to follow.

SWF long badge

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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