Rafting through the Grand Canyon

Rafting the Grand Canyon should be on everyone's bucket list.  There is no excuse not to go.  There are all sorts of rafting trips available through the Grand Canyon anywhere from 2 days to 30 depending on how much ground you want to cover and how fast.

Back in August/September, I spent 16 days on the river and rafted about 225 miles.

Classic shot of the Colorado winding through the lowest level of the Canyon.  That's only about 1200 feet at the top of the rim you can see.  There are two more layers on top that aren't visible for a total of about a 5,000 ft deep canyon.

I did this as part of a non-commercial group aka, private boaters.  We had 7 non-motorized rafts and used only oars and the momentum of the river.  I can't even begin to really describe how incredible the Canyon is.  Let's just say, there is a reason it is one of the natural wonders of the world. Seeing it from the bottom up is by far the best way to appreciate the beauty, strength, and history of the Canyon. 

The umbrellas were a lifesaver with the brutal sun and heat of the desert.

Things to know about rafting the Colorado through the Grand Canyon - it is HOT!  Going in late summer the temperatures we experienced ranged from a cool 90 degrees up to 120 Fahrenheit.  Down on the river it was cooler (meaning only 95-100 degrees), but on one of the hikes we went did, we crossed the second level of the canyon through a large desert that was 120 degrees. 

On that note though - the water is COLD.  Only about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  There is a risk of hypothermia if you fall out of the boat in a rapid and aren't able to get back in for several miles of river. 

Deer Creek Falls in the background.  It's a 40 foot waterfall that plunges almost directly into the river.

You should also know that you pack in everything and you pack out everything.  That means all the food is packed in coolers and boxes on day 1 and should last you the full 16 days.  You do not open the coolers if you can avoid it.  Funky meat and dairy is no bueno.

That means you also pack out everything that happens after you eat.  Yes, that means poop.  In the delicate desert environment, there are no outhouses and you do not dig holes.  Thousands of people raft down the river each year, so to keep everything pristine and beautiful, you take it with you in air tight rocket boxes.  Not the most pleasant, but definitely a necessary chore of packing up the pooper each day.

There is no contact with the outside world.  Yes, you have a satellite phone for emergencies, but you are completely cutoff otherwise.  That means no texts, no emails, no phone calls, no tv, no radio, etc.  Losing that connection is spectacular.  You live in the moment without all of the distractions social media and technology bring into our lives.  I felt so calm and relaxed during the trip knowing that even if I wanted to stress about work, I couldn't.   

This is "the patio" at the top of Deer Creek Falls.  Back by the trees is a beautiful area to soak in some non-silty fresh water and enjoy the shade.

The natural wonder of the Grand Canyon is everywhere.  The timeline of the earth is visible in the rock layers along the entire river and the further you go, more and more is revealed.  There are so many side canyons and features offering fresh springs, a cool oasis, and breathtaking colors. 

Then there a rapids.  RAPIDS!!!  Huge, monstrous, insane rapids.  I've rafted quite a few other rivers, but the rapids on those rivers are mellow little babies compared to so many of the rapids on the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado.  I did get thrown out of the boat in one of the BIG rapids, and holy hell - that was an experience for the books.  The force of the water and the size of the waves is immense.  I came up out of the water and couldn't see the raft anywhere, only heaving silty brown waves churning around boulders in one of the narrowest sections of the river.  I rode that rapid feet first in just my lifejacket until I caught up to my raft once we were through.  While I definitely wouldn't encourage anyone to fall out of the boat, it did make for one amazing experience!  Luckily I remain pretty calm in situations like that, so it wasn't a big deal to me as far as the "freaking out factor".  I was frozen for most of the day after that once the adrenaline left and I was soaked in river water.  It didn't help that that day was the cloudiest and coolest with regular rain showers the entire time we were on the water.

 

Beaver Falls in the Havasu Creek side canyon.  If you keep hiking away from the Colorado, you'll eventually make it to Havasupai, although you'll be fined for crossing onto the Havasu Nation land without a permit.



I've heard from so many people that visiting the Grand Canyon was very underwhelming for them since they only drove to the North or South rim, walked to the lookout points, and basically saw a big hole in the ground.  The Grand Canyon viewed from the bottom up is a completely different experience and rates as my most favorite adventure to date.   If you get the chance to raft the Grand Canyon, absolutely do it.  Make it happen.