The River
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"A quarter of a mile below camp the river turns abruptly to the left... and at that point is very swift, running down in a long, broken chute and piling up against the foot of the cliff, where it turns to the left. We try to pull across, so as to go down on the other side, but the waters are swift and it seems impossible for us to escape the rock below; but, in pulling across, the bow of the boat is turned to the farther shore, so that we are swept broadside down and are prevented by the rebounding waters from striking against the wall. We toss about for a few seconds in these billows and are then carried past the danger. Below, the river turns again to the right, the canyon is very narrow, and we see in advance but a short distance. The water, too, is very swift, and there is no landing place. From around this curve there comes a mad roar, and down we are carried with a dizzying velocity to the head of another rapid. On either side high over our heads there are overhanging granite walls, and the sharp bends cut off our view, so that a few minutes will carry us into unknown waters. Away we go on one long, winding chute. I stand on deck, supporting myself with a strap fastened on either side of the gunwale. The boat glides rapidly where the water is smooth, then, striking a wave, she leaps and bounds like a thing of life, and we have a wild, exhilarating ride for ten miles, which we make in less than an hour. The excitement is so great that we forget the danger until we hear the roar of a great fall below; then we back on our oars ... and succeed in landing...." August 21, 1869 John Wesley Powell
Running the rapids and floating the river was an amazing experience. We went from 105° (F) heat, wishing we could cool off to drenched in 50° (F) water and wishing we could warm up in seconds. The raft had two areas for passengers to ride in; the "chicken coop" in the middle of the raft, and the front where we were splashed with cold water on small waves and held on for dear life in the large ones. It's difficult to take pictures from the raft that show the full effect of the waves and we had only one opportunity to have a few of us photograph our raft as it ran Granite rapid.
Click on images below for enlarged view.
Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L @ 16mm, ISO 200
Morning at Cardenas
Point Royal on the North Rim is visible in the far background
Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 24mm, ISO 200
Sunset on the Colorado at North Creek
The clear waters of the Colorado as it exits Glen Canyon dam have been clouded somewhat by the silty Paria River as it entered near Lee's Ferry. Each side canyon adds it's load of silt as we descend further into the canyon.
Canon SureShot A-1, Kodak Portra 160NC
Granite Rapid
I didn't have time to grab my good camera as this raft came around the bend. So I just ran along the shore and used my waterproof point and shoot to capture it as it starts into Granite Rapid.
Canon SureShot A-1, Kodak Portra 160NC
Running the Rapids
This gives you a good idea of the layout of the boat. Our crew, Bob and Donna are in the motor well. The rafters are trying to warm up in the "chicken coop" before taking on more water up front. Our waterproof camera bags (LowePro Dryzone 100's) are next seen, and then our sleeping bags in the gray waterproof bags.