Day 12

The stream on our hike

The river today we an easy stretch, there were some rapids but nothing to get really excited about.  However, there was a really cool side hike which we endeavored upon.  It was comprised of a nice flowing stream with numerous rocks and ledges, which created beautiful pour overs, and mini waterfalls.  The path along this mesmerizing stream seemed, at points, as if it were something from a childhood fairytale.  There was a natural tunnel which delved through the rock, and an arch created of grape vines. 

Fairytale arch

Fairytale tunnle

Ever since we had first arrived in this wild outdoors, Miles had been bound and determined to catch a lizard.  He had also failed to do so because of their blazing speed and agility, combined with the overabundance of hiding places for them.  Upon his return to the boats, however, Miles got a lucky break.  One poor unsuspecting lizard had, apparently, taken an unwise step, thus hurtling it into the water where it was out of its element, literally.  This allowed miles to easily catch the poor creature, thus saving the little lizards life, and fulfilling his desire to catch one of the creatures. 

Me with the lizard Miles caught

Near the end of the day we also encountered an unsuspecting swimming incident.  It was Mike’s birthday today, but the beer was, somehow, on our boat.  Miles obligingly dug out the desired beverage, and we closed the distance between the boats in preparation for an exchange.  As Russ prepared himself to receive the pass, Miles readied to throw it.  Miles performance was genius… and abysmal; the can careened carefully through the air.  The arc was beautiful, it looked perfect, it was short.  Russ, in a heroic attempt to save the birthday beer, leaned forward to attempt to complete the catch.  With his delicate balance on the raft abruptly disturbed, there was one brief second where he looked up.  The look was one of shock, and realization of immediate introduction to something undesired, wide eyes and blown out cheeks; then he was in the water.  Thus Russ joined the elite ranks of the Grand Canyon, Colorado River Swim Team, by sacrificing his body to save a Miller Lite for the birthday boy.  Happy birthday Mike!!

-SM-

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Day 11

Today was an oddity; there is no other way to describe it.  It started like usual, a nice hot morning with the sun beating down on us.  The plan had been to float for a while, and then take a hike up another cool slot canyon.  As we set out on the water though a change was in the works.  After a short while on the river grey covered the sky, it seemed as though a thunder storm were imminent.  As we enjoyed our lunch lightning lit up the sky, and thunder boomed down the canyon walls.  We decided to forgo our canyon hike.  Hiking up a slot canyon in a thunder storm is a pretty good way to meet a flash flood and drown.    

Due to the exemption of the hike, and our desire to get out of the rain, we made camp early that day.  It was around three in the afternoon when we started setting things up.  The temperature had dropped from the 90s to the 70s, the only thing that proved we were still in a desert was the cacti scattered around.  We set up tarps for shelter and with little else to do we started playing some games.  It was Carsons birthday, so the games eventually evolved into drinking games.  This led to a pretty epic night to say the least, and a pretty horrific next day for one or two.  Happy birthday Carson!!

Unfortunately no pictures were taken on this day due to the rain, so I think I'll add some from the other days.

-SM-

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Day 10

The first part of our hike up the hill

Today was comprised of one big event, the “Seven Mile Death March” DUN DUN DUN!!!   That was the name in the guide book for the hike we endeavored upon.  We started at the point of entrance of a beautiful swift creek into the Colorado River.  From there we scampered seemingly straight up the hill then walked along the ridge until we again reached the creek, and then we would repeat the same cycle, again and again.  Each portion showed us something new, diverse, and beautiful.  While climbing up the last part, I looked up and witnessed one of the most beautiful waterfalls that I have ever laid eyes upon.  All the water for the creek we had been following was flowing right out of the side of the cliff, and cascading down through a jungle of green, which existed due to it. 

The most gorgeous waterfall I have ever seen

After resting briefly, and eating, next to the majestic waterfall our group divided; some returned to the rafts, while others continued on the “Death March” across the plateau still above us.  Our total ascent was somewhere around 1,800 feet from the river.  When we finally reached the edge the plateau spread out vastly before us, betraying the sheer size of the canyon.  The sun beat down brutally upon this desolate land creating a temperature of 108 degrees.  Water was more valuable than gold. 

Feel so small, see if you can find the people in this picture

Liquid gold

Slot canyon

We descended after a few miles down the other side; the path took us past yet another waterfall out of the cliff, though this one was on a much smaller scale.  At this point we stopped again and Miles decided to check out why the bottom of his right food was burning.  Apparently the combination of moist socks and hiking had not boded well for his feet.  On all the toes and part of the ball of his foot the skin had been worn off in spots down a very frail layer.  With no choice but to put some salve and some bandages on it, we all continued the rest of the hike to the river.  The very end took us walking along another amazing slot canyon, no more than ten feet across at the top and reaching depths of near forty feet down.  At the end the water shot out of the rock froming a waterfall still some sixty feet high near the river. 

-SM-

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Day 9

The falls

The jump

Today was spilt.  After only a brief stint on the river we departed on another side canyon hike.  This was only a short 3 minute walk up to yet another beautiful waterfall.  The water cascaded down approximately 20 feet of rock and came to rest in a nice pool at the bottom, the pool its self was about 7 feet deep.  Half hidden at the back of the pool was a little path that would take you up to a ledge, half way up the waterfall.  It thus became popular entertainment to hike up to this ledge and jump into the pool. 

Big horn sheep

Spike touching 1.2 billion years of time difference

After leaving that hike and on our way to lunch we witnessed several groups of big horn sheep.  We had seen some before now, but these were very close to the river, so I got some pictures.  At lunch, before eating, we took another brief hike up a slot canyon.  This led us to what is known as “The Great Unconformity.”  This is two layers of rock, right on top of one another, and between them there is a 1.2 billion year gap in the geological record; that my friends, is a lot of lost time. 

Several lesser unconformities observing the great unconformity

After lunch I took the opportunity to paddle a ducky, which is a small one person raft.  Oh man it was fun, crashing through the waves, and being tossed around by the water.  Everything on the river seemed huge from my new vantage point.  Waves would simply appear out of nowhere, come crashing over the front or side of your boat, soaking you from head to toe.  Due to my new mode of transport I took my first swim of the trip.  I followed the rafts through a hole which they had easily plowed through; well it grabbed me and turned me sideways before I knew it, and next thing I was under water.  Knowing that I must still be heading for the rock wall that had been before me I exited the underside of the boat and scrambled upon the top of the capsized craft.  I then proceeded to continue to paddle it away from the rock wall to safety.  My first swim had been brief, but I was glad it happened; it gave the whole experience a better feeling. 

There was a gorgeous

sunset that evening

-SM- 
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Day 8



Morning in the canyon



Some characters



Today was a straight rafting day, we ran somewhere around 20 rapids of various levels.  The first rapid of the day was Crystal.  Crystal is supposed to be one of the hardest rapids on the entire river.  As we scouted it I was very excited there was a huge hole in the middle, and another at the bottom.  We ended up deciding to miss both holes though, so we snuck by the rapid close to shore.  This made Crystal, the rapid that I had been looking forward to for a while, into probably the biggest disappointment of the trip.  Oh well, while the run was very anticlimactic, the scouting was for sure not. 

May not look huge, but it is

Close up

Miles and I walked down to take a close look at the rapids and snap some pictures, then started walking back to the main group.  Upon the hike back we saw a really nice big garter snake; it was the first snake of the trip so we had to get some pictures.  After it slithered off we started walking off to return to the group.  We were walking not ten feet away looking at our camera, reviewing the pictures we just took, when all of the sudden there was a noise in front of us that chilled us to the bone.  Miles leapt backwards, thankfully with me in his hands.  We think that he may have set the record for long jumping on that single leap.  There in front of us, not five feet from where we had just stood, was a large beautiful rattle snake that had just given us that very stern warning.  I have to say that I don’t know of much to chill your blood like the sound of a rattle snake in the wild.  The adrenaline rush from that event didn’t fade until sometime well into the evening amidst the corn hole games and vodka drinks.          

I feel like Steve Irwin, kind of

It calms nervs

-SM-

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Day 7

WOW, what a day!  So far on our trip we have run two big rapids, and a few pretty good sized ones.  Well today we had three big ones.  We ran Horn, Granite, and Hermit in that order, with several smaller ones scattered in between.  Each one possessed its own set of unique challenges.  Horn was filled with hidden holes and waves, which we were unable to observe from our scouting position.  Granite forced you to run right along a rock wall, and was filled with its own holes and waves.  Hermit however was my favorite; it really only consisted of a long, very large, wave train.  Now when I say it was big I mean it made our 18’ raft seem like a toy ship in a bathtub.  It threw us up and down like an extended version of a rodeo ride, it was AWESOME! 

Really gorgeous view from the bottom of the canyon

Today was also the day in which we visited Phantom Ranch.  Phantom Ranch is the only hint of civilization that you see for the duration of the trip.  It is a common destination for backpackers, as well as a stop for raft crews.  The greatest thing that it had to offer was some nice ice cold lemonade.  People there could also send out postcards, and they get carried out of the canyon by a mule, so that is kind of cool as well.  We all stopped briefly, enjoyed a cool drink, and many of us wrote a postcard or two. 

Words of wisdom

Ahhh refreshing

-SM- 
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Day 6



Some of the coolest looking rock on the river.

Today was awesome!  Let’s start with the river.  There were three big rapids on our course today.  We came here looking for big water challenge and today we got it.  The largest of them was one called Hance rapids; it consisted of several holes and waves, seemingly all over the place.  Rather than play it safe we seemed to hit every wave and hole on the way, which to me was jolly good fun!  There were two more big rapids today, and they consisted of more of the same.  Several waves splashed into the raft and soaked us but still no swimming for me.   Unfortunately I was unable to capture any pictures of the rapids due to my fear of soaking my camera.   

Monkey see, monkey do

After lunch we spent the rest of the day hiking up another side canyon.  I know it all sounds the same but each one is so different and so amazing in its own right.  This one led up to another water fall that was really amazing.  The rock created a ramp that launched the water out sideways almost.  The water was also warm and clear, so we all enjoyed playing under it as we let it cleanse us of the dirt and grime of the last couple days.  It also doubled as a back massage. 

Gorgeous waterfall

Closest I got to a group picture



-SM- 

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