As Diamond Peak came into view, I realized that our trip was nearing its end.
I had thought that things couldn’t get much stranger in the world of travertine rock formations as we left Pumpkin Springs behind, but the Colorado River had a few surprises left for us as we neared the end of our 18 day journey down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
First up was a delightful side canyon we climbed up where we bathed— and showered, in the refreshing water of Travertine Canyon. This was a part of the Hualapai Tribe reservation and the Native Americans had built a convenient rope ladder for access.
A view of the ladder we would be expected to climb. But first we had to rope up to get down to the ladder!
Peggy makes her way up the ladder!
The journey had its rewards!
And everyone took advantage of the shower….
By day 17, we could all use one. (grin)
There were also some interesting rock formations in the cavern.
This close up suggests a throat and tonsils. (Photo by Don Green.)
Not much farther down the river we came on an even stranger travertine formation, a waterfall made of rock!
This 100 foot plus rock waterfall was created by water from a mineral laden spring.
A view or Travertine Falls looking up.
And another. I found the jumble of colors and rock types quite interesting.
Small nooks and crannies also held treasures, such as these ferns. (Photo by Don Green.)
I’ll finish today’s post with a few more photos taken as we rafted down the river.
A mesquite tree.
This rock formation shows the impact of erosion.
A Great Blue Heron that caught Don’s attention. (Photo by Don Green.)
A final view of the river for today. Next Monday, we will wrap up our journey down the Colorado.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: Patterns in nature. A close up look at Kodiak Island.
FRIDAY’S POST: Is it possible to find true love when watching an instruction film on what to do when the atom bomb drops on your school.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Oh boy, that ladder is frightening.
At least entertaining, Peggy. (grin) –Curt
Fabulous colours and shapes. Water is a powerful artist.
When it comes to reshaping the landscape, maybe the most powerful, AC. –Curt
On fabulous photo after another. Some of the finest sculpture ever created. (and scary ladder…reminds me of the ones they used to have at Mesa Verde to get into the cliff dwellings a long time ago when you they allowed that. Scary, but so worth the climb here, too!)
I never got to Mesa Verde in those days, Phil. Regretfully so. But I have wandered around in other cliff dwellings and admired their ingenuity. The ability of Native Americans to scale cliffs, whether at Mesa Verde or in the Grand Canyon was truly impressive. And our ladder was put there by Native Americans. 🙂 –Curt
who in most cases are willing to share their environment if you ask first…just, please, be gentle on the land and leave no trace. Good idea to offer the ladder.
A fine message for Earth Day. –Curt
You and Peggy are my heros! You are much braver than I am. My legs were going to water just looking at that ladder. I wish I were a little more daredevil-ish, but I’m not. No matter how beautiful the scenery or need for cooling, clean waters.
So much of that is merely experience, Juliann, as opposed to bravery. Your journeys out on your own to various parts of the world require an equal willingness to face new challenges. But thanks! 🙂 –Curt
How many centuries it must have taken, to sculpt those rocks, and create that rock water fall. Just extraordinary countryside!
Thousands of years, at least, Yvonne. 🙂 Although I was surprised at how fast the travertine does form sculptures. It seems much faster than most rock-making processes. –Curt
Fabulous pictures Curt, what a great eye for detail!
Thanks, Andrew. The challenge is always which photos to eliminate. 🙂 But I’ve gotten tougher! –Curt
Fantastic photos, what are gorgeous place. I would have loved to shower there.
It was a kick, Kelly. And oh so refreshing. We even managed to wash our clothes at the same time. 🙂 –Curt
I have bathed in a few rivers, in my day usually freezing, but so worth the experience
Except where the water is so darned cold it gives you a headache! 🙂
Haha, oh yes, I bathed in a glacial river in British Columbia, and swam in the Bow River in Alberta, I know that icy cold feeling
Laughing. Yep!
Nature has a way of creating such unique designs, you can see where man gets his ideas! The first picture looks like an oriental pagoda for instance.
There is a reason why so many of the outstanding rock formations in the Grand Canyon are named after ancient Greek, Roman and Oriental temples, G. 🙂 –Curt
Wow. It’s all stunning. I was going to mention my favourite scene, then there was another, and another! Thanks for sharing.
Every mile of the 18-day trip was like that Cynthia. 🙂 And my sharing allows me to revisit the experience. Thank you. –Curt
And to think that the Heron lives there and enjoys that view. A heaven on earth.
Really nice thought, Gerard. The Canyon is actually full of life that had adapted to living in a desert environment. I’ve no doubt that the heron considers it a sort of heron-heaven and at that very moment was thinking about a nice fat froggy for lunch. 🙂 –Curt
Now, this must be the best way ever to see the Grand Canyon! The rock waterfall is astonishing, and all the photos are stunning. What a wonderful adventure … And you all deserved the rest in the pool of water! Curt, your posts are like reading about another world … a joy and treat! 😀
The Grand Canyon seems like another world to me as well, Annika, combining rugged beauty with fascinating geology and interesting early American history. Plus there’s the challenge of making your way through the canyon, whether on foot or by boat! Glad you have enjoyed the series. Thanks much! –Curt
Such a wonderful journey Curt! I did enjoy all of your posts, so glad you took us along the way, as I wouldn’t have the courage to go there myself 😀 Mother nature was so generous in this area to offer such exquisite vistas!
Thanks so much, Christie. Glad to have you along on the journey! And the Grand Canyon truly earns its reputation as one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. –Curt
Awesome photos, as always. And great scenery. But I don’t think I would have made it up that ladder. Not just because I’m not very strong, but because it would scare the bejeezus out of me!
Thanks, Rusha. A bit of adventure, for sure. 🙂 I worked in pear orchards in my youth running up and down 14 foot ladders all day. I felt right at home. And Peggy is usually game for anything! –Curt
Once I took a good look at that ladder, I realized how substantial the rope was, and how wide the steps. It looks to me as though it’s not perfectly perpendicular, either, but canted in a few degrees and perhaps even resting on the rock face. I could have done it, but just looking at it brought memories of the swinging bridge we had to cross at summer camp every year. It really could swing, and inevitably there was a female Curt or two on the other end, jumping up and down to add a bit more motion. That pit-of-the-stomach feeling’s pretty easy to recall!
The rocks are fabulous. I remember hearing about travertine marble used in fancy homes. I’ve always associated that with Italy. Is this the same travertine that would be used in that way?
Ha, a veteran boat person like you, Linda— piece of cake. I’ve never been attracted to scrambling up sheer rock faces, but I spent a couple years when I was in high school picking pears. Scrambling up and down ladders is almost second nature. And of course swinging bridges are meant to be swung! Why else would they be built? There is one we use down in Mexico that I still find tempting. 🙂
Travertine is a sedimentary rock, Linda, while marble is a metamorphic rock formed from other rocks, including travertine, by intense heat and pressure deep under the ground. They are both used in building. –Curt
We can imagine the refreshing cool water after a hard climb. The rocks have been fashioned like hands (of nature) over eons and continue to be today. Such a privilege to be able to see and touch them!
A privilege, indeed, Suan. –Curt
Just one other magical place created by Mother Nature. “(S)he must have been the world’s original artist. I’ve really enjoyed this trip down the canyon with you!
So glad you enjoyed the journey, Gunta. So much beauty deserves to be appreciated. Mother Nature (and geology) outdid herself when it came to Creating the Grand Canyon. Thanks! –Curt