Waterfalls

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"Riding down a short distance, a beautiful view is presented. The river turns sharply to the east and seems inclosed (sic) by a wall set with a million brilliant gems. What can it mean? Every eye is engaged, every one wonders. On coming nearer we find fountains bursting from the rock high overhead, and the spray in the sunshine forms the gems which bedeck the wall. The rocks below the fountain are covered with mosses and ferns and many beautiful flowering plants. We name it Vasey's Paradise, in honor of the botanist who traveled with us last year." August 9, 1869 John Wesley Powell

Here are just a few of the waterfalls we saw in the canyon. The 70° (F) plus water in the side canyons felt great to get into after the heat of the air and the cold of the river.

Click on images below for enlarged view.

Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 50mm, ISO 50

Vasey's Paradise

This amazing place certainly fits Powell's description of "fountains bursting from the rock."

Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L @ 16mm, ISO 200

Elves Chasm

To me, this was the most beautiful spot of the trip. I could have spent all day here. Steve and Bob worked things out perfectly so we could photograph it before any direct light hit the alcove and before any other travelers came to dive into the emerald pool

Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 50mm, ISO 100

Elves Chasm Pano

This is a composite of three exposure side by side, joined together to form a larger, more detailed view of the whole of Elves Grotto. Interestingly, there are at least 5 more similar, but smaller alcoves above this one that we did not have time to hike up to.

Canon EOS 1Ds, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 45mm, ISO 400

Deer Creek Falls

"Just after dinner we pass a stream on the right, which leaps into the Colorado by a direct fall of more than 100 feet, forming a beautiful cascade." John Wesley Powell, August 23, 1869