GRAND CANYON
Colorado River Rafting
5/6 Days (Upper)
8/9 Days (Lower)

Starting at Lees Ferry the Canyon opens to us as we begin the float into its vast interior. It starts as a narrow, sheer-sided chasm, winding through the uplifted Kaibab Plateau. The first 61 miles of Marble Canyon is the most photographed, perhaps the most scenic portion of the Grand Canyon. The rim moves away from view as the Canyon broadens to its full expanse of 13 miles. Then we enter the foreboding inner gorge with its exquisite polished granites. Here the river has exposed rock formed 1.7 billion years ago. Further on we see evidence of volcanism in the diamond black basalt around us, where lava flows repeatedly dammed the Canyon only to be worn away by the relentless river. Eventually the lower gorge closes around us as we take the final plunge through rapids to the head of Lake Mead 240 miles and 160 rapids from our starting point.

UPPER SECTION - MARBLE CANYON (5/6 DAY)

Major Powell named this first section Marble Canyon for the ocher-stained limestone layers that plunge two thousand feet to the river below. This softer limestone has allowed the river to scoop out the huge expanse of Red Wall Cavern at the river's edge. Underground springs gush from the porous rock at Vaseys Paradise and side streams carve bowl-like pools at Rider, North, Silver Grotto, and Saddle Canyons. Nautilaus fossils are readily viewed in the stream bed of Nautoloid Canyon and ancient Anasazi granaries await the hiker high above the river at Nankoweap. Float past the confluence of the Little Colorado River where, according to Hopi legend, mankind emerged. The majority of the prehistoric Indian ruins are in this upper section, especially in the transition area between the polished walls of Marble Canyon and the rocky defiles of the Granite Gorge. Nineteen major class IV and above rapids build through this upper section, starting with Badger and Soap Creek on Day 1. House Rock, Kwagunt and other various rapids on Day 2-4. Day 5 run Unkar culminating with Nevills, Hance, Sockdolager, Grapevine, and Zoroaster as we enter the upper Granite Gorge. You will disembark from the rafts near Phantom Ranch and hike out of the Grand Canyon on the famous Bright Angel Trail.

LOWER SECTION - THE GRANITE GORGES (8/9 DAY)

The raft trip starts with a hike down the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim Village to Phantom Ranch. Once you board the rafts a whirlwind of rapids introduce you to this section, beginning in the heart of the ancient rock of the Granite Gorge. Eighteen major class IV and above rapids are on this lower section starting with Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit and Crystal (biggy) on Day 1-3. Day 4 run the Gems; Sapphire, Turquoise and Ruby. Day 8 takes us through Bedrock, Deubendorff, and Upset. Day 5-6 various rapids. Basalt outcrops warn us of our proximity to Lava Falls (biggy) on Day 7, and soon we hear its thunder reverberating from the canyon wall. A long look and then a taste of the ultimate. Throughout our journey the Granite Gorge is fissured with side creeks, each a delight to explore. We'll probe Elves Chasm which has waterfalls and grottos, and hike Deer Creek waterfall. We may hike through the smooth gray limestone of Matkatamiba. Conditions permitting, we make our way to the turquoise pools of Havasu Creek and hike the talus to gushing Thunder River, several miles above the Colorado River.

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