Current Phoenix Weather:
advertisement
31 October 2022
Many consider the Grand Canyon a bucket-list trip. A spectacular way to experience its beauty, solitude, and unique environment is to take a rafting trip on the Grand Canyon’s Colorado river. While rafting, you can hike to Ancestral Puebloan sites, see waterfalls, swim in turquoise waters, and spot wildlife such as bighorn sheep. Over 22,000 people take commercial raft trips down the Colorado River each year, which runs through Grand Canyon for 279 miles.
advertisement
Rafting the Grand Canyon can take anywhere from 7-18 days, depending on how fast the river runs, how many stops you make to camp along this 279-mile stretch of river, and whether you’re using motorized rafts or oar boats. You can raft the Grand Canyon in about seven days with motorized boats, depending on how many stops you make. For those in oar boats, plan on 15-21 days.
You can raft the entire Grand Canyon at Lee’s Ferry, 42 miles south of Glenn Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona. Historically at Lee’s Ferry, people crossed the Colorado River by ferry before 1929. You can still walk across the Historic Navajo Bridge even though a wider bridge was built in 1995.
Within 60 miles, you’ll reach Marble Canyon, where the Little Colorado River meets the Colorado River. Because of their towering cliffs, canyons like this one are home to many wonders. For example, ancestral Puebloan storage granaries can be found in Nankoweap Canyon. In addition, more than 4,000-year-old figurines and the remains of the extinct Harrington mountain goat has been found here. The canyon is part of the Grand Canyon National Park.
Your first whitewater rapids will be Soap Creek and Badger rapids. Soap Creek is located at mile 11. After leaving Marble Canyon, you’ll encounter your first Class 8 rapid, Hance Rapid. Located at mile 76.5, this rapid has the most significant drop (30 feet), making it one of the biggest on the river. Finally, at mile 87.5, you’ll pass Phantom Ranch, an iconic set of historic cabins and dormitories with a canteen you can only reach by boat, foot, or mules. You can even mail a postcard from the Grand Canyon by walking to the Phantom Ranch canteen.
After that, Crystal (with large holes in the center of the river), Sapphire, Turquoise, and Ruby rapids follow. One hundred seventy-nine miles of rapids await you, including the infamous Lava Falls rapids. This is a 9-10 on a difficulty scale, with one being the easiest and ten being the hardest. There are steep drops and large waves like the Big Kahuna (yes, it is named after a wave) that can flip boats.
The starting point for shorter “Diamond Down” rafting trips through the Hualapai tribe’s section of the Grand Canyon is at mile 225. After that, Haulapi River Runners’ signature blue motorized boats will ford the rapids.
advertisement
From Lee’s Ferry, your trip ends at Pearce Ferry, 279 miles away. Previously, Pearce Ferry was located in Lake Mead’s Pearce Bay. However, drought has reduced the lake’s water level. So today, Pearce Ferry lies along the fast-flowing Colorado River.
Every day in the Grand Canyon is one to savor for years, but it takes a hardy soul to do so. So in your dreams and memories, this river will haunt you, calling you back again and again.
advertisement
The “Wild West” period, often romanticized in literature and films, spanned only around 30 years, from roughly 1865 to 1895. This era is usually portrayed as chaotic, lawless, and filled with gunfights, cattle rustlers, and prospectors. But what made this period so unique and distinct from earlier years of westward expansion? Was it truly more wild than the decades that preceded it? And why does the end of the Civil War in 1865 seem to mark a significant turning point in this legendary chapter of American history? advertisement The Pre-Wild West: Westward Expansion Before 1865 Before the Civil War, the
Arizona is more than just desert landscapes and the Grand Canyon; it’s a state that stands out for a variety of reasons that set it apart from many other states in the U.S. Arizona has developed a reputation for embracing individuality and, in some cases, doing things better than some states. Let’s explore some of the things that make Arizona unique that you may not have known. advertisement 1. No Daylight Saving Time One of the most unique aspects of Arizona is that the state does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). While the rest of the country shifts its
Arizona is currently experiencing a period of remarkable growth. From adding jobs and increasing its population to welcoming more businesses, the state is solidifying its place as one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Arizona’s transformation is not just a short-term trend; it’s a testament to strategic planning, smart policy-making, and an influx of motivated individuals looking to make Arizona their home. Here’s a closer look at why Arizona is on the rise. advertisement Booming Job Growth in Arizona In the last 10 years, Arizona added more than 380,000 new jobs, with the state’s job growth ranking fifth in
Arizona is home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife, and the rich ecosystem faces many challenges, with habitat loss being the most pressing issue, leading to the endangerment of species across the state. Arizona currently has 71 endangered and threatened species, and efforts to protect these species are more essential than ever. Habitat Loss and the Impact on Arizona’s Wildlife Severe drought and climate change are exacerbating habitat loss in Arizona. In addition, non-native diseases and invasive species are further disrupting the delicate balance of Arizona’s ecosystems. These factors have left many of the state’s native species struggling to
advertisement
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |