I have journeyed into the Grand Canyon several times over the years: on foot, by raft, and by helicopter. The first was by mule in the late 60s. That’s me, second from the top on Charlie. I was sore for a week afterwards. I was a pound over the weight limit, so Charlie kept trying to bite me, plus walk as close to the edge as he could!
The Grand Canyon is truly one of the world’s great natural wonders. It’s celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year and I am quite pleased— and a little proud— that I have been returning there on a regular basis for 50 of those years. I’ve posted on my trips into the Canyon by foot and boat many times. Today, since I am still working on Burning Man photos and don’t have another Pacific Crest Trail post ready yet, I decided to reach back into my WordPress archives and put up some Grand Canyon photos. Happy 100th Grand Canyon!
Sunsets in the Canyon are always spectacular, whether you are on the outside looking in or the inside looking out. This was from an 18 day rafting trip Peggy and I took down the Colorado River with a group of friends.Peggy and I are sitting above the Colorado River near an ancient Native American site.Sunset at Zoroaster Campsite on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. (Photo by Don Green.)You don’t have to hike or backpack, or raft, or fly, or ride grouchy mules to enjoy the beauty of the Canyon. You can drive up, and enjoy numerous pull-offs that give you incredible views.The mouth of Havasu Creek is a common stop for rafters in the Grand Canyon. Our rafts look small beside the large tour boat. Our trip was based on a lottery that I won for an 18-day private trip on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, I have friends with the expertise necessary to raft the Canyon.While a veteran crew of boatmen handled the more dangerous parts of our 18 day journey through the Grand Canyon, I was allowed near oars on some of the tamer sections.A morning view from out tent.. One of the fascinating things about the Grand Canyon is how it changes in the light. Numerous side trips away from the river provided opportunities to explore other parts of the Canyon.We were treated to views like this.Waterfalls along Deer Creek.This was a delightful waterfall, but I didn’t realize we were expected to jump off!Jamie Wilson demonstrates.This huge cavern is found along the river and is known as Redwall Cavern.Another river view.Looking up the Little Colorado River just above where it flows into the Colorado River. Note the water color and the mineral deposits. With Steve at the oars, Peggy and I enter the infamous Lava Falls on the Colorado River, a perfect ten… that’s 10 as in rapids don’t get any more serious. There was a point where we disappeared under the water. (Photo by Don Green)Bone, of course, went along on the raft trip and had his own life vest. Here, he decided that it was time for a photo op on the edge of a Sotar Raft.Here he enjoys a perch on top of a barrel cactus. Don’t try this at home, kids. Or anywhere else.Peggy stands next to Deer Creek Falls, a short walk from the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.I’ll conclude with a final sunset view from one of our campsites.
NEXT POST: Either on Burning Man or the Pacific Crest Trail. Depends on what I get done. (grin)
It was a great experience. I enjoyed it, but still prefer backpacking into the Canyon, Cindy. I have to think that it would be great to give kids the experience of rafting through the Canyon. –Curt
The guide had my daughter at age 14 pilot the raft and my son at age 12 and I swam in a supposedly calm part of the river that was not calm at all, and was actually quite dangerous!
Is it safe rafting in the river? I guess one really need to be experimented, to get safely through..
The boatmen need to be experienced, Christie. All of the tours have knowledgeable guides and the National park requires all boatmen to have a certain level of expertise. It’s relatively safe if you know what you are doing! –Curt
100th Anniversary? I thought it was millions of years old!
In 1995 I took a light airplane ride from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon Village, it was a good trip but I got scared and airsick so it could have been even better.
Some reflections on my visit to GC and some old pictures…
For all of my travels in the Southwest, I’ve yet to make it to Monument Valley, the setting for lots of Westerns! Peggy and I plan to remedy that in May. Our son Tony flew Peggy and I into the Havasupai section of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter when he was flying for a tour company between his jobs with the Marines and the Coast Guard. He put on the theme from Star Wars and swooped in! –Curt
What I remember most was the strict restrictions on where visitors could walk so not to damage the flora and fauna of the desert. How did John Ford get away with marching his cavalry all across the place?
Money? 🙂
We love following you Curt for our vicarious adventures!
Awesome!!! We have not been there; I guess that we should. About rafting there, I have read in an old western book written by Zane Grey. The name of book, I have forgotten.
Once more praising Your post – gorgeous trip and terrific photos. Matti
Thanks, Matti. And nice to put a name to your post! I read many books by Zane Grey in my youth, but never one on the Grand Canyon. It is definitely worth a trip! –Curt
I read all of the cowboy books as a kid! 🙂 Peggy and I hiked by a cabin he owned on the Rogue River this past spring when I was conditioning for my trip down the PCT. –Curt
Hello Curt. Thank You. If You do not mind, I give one link to my posts. When You read it, You may think as I sometimes, that I am born in “wrong” country and at the wrong time. 🙂
I spent a lot of time in my youth as well learning about plants and animals and rocks, Matti. One of my adult interests has been to search the west for petroglyphs. This site will provide an example of posts I have written on the subject: https://wandering-through-time-and-place.com/2017/06/28
I found your post on Native Americans quite interesting. Thanks for sharing. –Curt
Thank You for this interesting post! Very inspiring! Matti
This place is so vast and so full of wonders, you can never see them all. How beautiful (I do understand those hooded transport can take exception to their passenger freight and enjoy walking waaaay too close to the edge.)
done a lot of walking around there, but helicopter and mule are still on the to do list.Love the pix and fun
I swear, Phil, Charlie the mule would swing his feet out over the abyss! Walking, for me, s the best way to see the canyon. But driving, mules, boats and helicopters do provide a different perspective. All beautiful. Thanks. –Curt
Wait — what? I was sure the canyon was more than a hundred years old! I’ve never been there, but every time I see your photos, the old urges to go stir afresh. At this point, it probably won’t ever happen, but it’s wonderful that you’ve been able to experience it in so many different ways.
The Canyon has been hanging out there for a while. (grin) Ever since the Colorado plateau started rising. And some of the rocks uncovered go back over a billion years. But, Linda, without the National Park, much of its beauty would now be covered by water backed up by dams! And why not go there? Just extend one of your road trips by a week or so… 🙂 –Curt
You’ve certainly managed more than your share of great adventures. What a great way to celebrate or commemorate Grand Canyon’s 100th! May it forever stay Grand! 😀
Curt as we have previously chatted about our rafting trips in the Canyon. Still at the top handful of my life experiences. So many of your photos took me right back to those locations. I almost didn’t jump off that waterfall but so glad I did.. and loved to tell about it.
Not surprising that the photos are familiar, Sue. The guides all seem to follow a similar routine as to where they stop and the adventures they offer, which isn’t surprising. I, too, jumped off although I and not big on jumping off things into water. 🙂 –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
We did this with our kids.
It was a great experience. I enjoyed it, but still prefer backpacking into the Canyon, Cindy. I have to think that it would be great to give kids the experience of rafting through the Canyon. –Curt
The guide had my daughter at age 14 pilot the raft and my son at age 12 and I swam in a supposedly calm part of the river that was not calm at all, and was actually quite dangerous!
It has a significant drop and flows quickly. I rowed through some small rapids. That was plenty of excitement for me. 🙂 –Curt
A very nice tribute to the canyon! 🙂
Thanks, MB! With a little luck, I should be stopping by there again in a couple of months. –Curt
Spectacular. I love the smooth layering in the rocks
Hundreds of millions and even billions of years of geological history wrapped up in those layers. Plus the beauty! Thanks. –Curt
So many spectacular views along the canyon. I love the sunset at Zoroaster campsite!
And they just go on and on, Christie. Floating down the rive brought an incredible new view with each twist in the river. –Curt
Is it safe rafting in the river? I guess one really need to be experimented, to get safely through..
The boatmen need to be experienced, Christie. All of the tours have knowledgeable guides and the National park requires all boatmen to have a certain level of expertise. It’s relatively safe if you know what you are doing! –Curt
100th Anniversary? I thought it was millions of years old!
In 1995 I took a light airplane ride from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon Village, it was a good trip but I got scared and airsick so it could have been even better.
Some reflections on my visit to GC and some old pictures…
https://anotherbagmoretravel.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/coach-trip-usa-national-parks-monument-valley-and-the-grand-canyon-2/
For all of my travels in the Southwest, I’ve yet to make it to Monument Valley, the setting for lots of Westerns! Peggy and I plan to remedy that in May. Our son Tony flew Peggy and I into the Havasupai section of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter when he was flying for a tour company between his jobs with the Marines and the Coast Guard. He put on the theme from Star Wars and swooped in! –Curt
What I remember most was the strict restrictions on where visitors could walk so not to damage the flora and fauna of the desert. How did John Ford get away with marching his cavalry all across the place?
Money? 🙂
We love following you Curt for our vicarious adventures!
I’m glad, AC! But probably not half as much fun as I have with having the adventures. 🙂
Awesome!!! We have not been there; I guess that we should. About rafting there, I have read in an old western book written by Zane Grey. The name of book, I have forgotten.
Once more praising Your post – gorgeous trip and terrific photos. Matti
Thanks, Matti. And nice to put a name to your post! I read many books by Zane Grey in my youth, but never one on the Grand Canyon. It is definitely worth a trip! –Curt
How nice that You know Zane Grey. 🙂
I read all of the cowboy books as a kid! 🙂 Peggy and I hiked by a cabin he owned on the Rogue River this past spring when I was conditioning for my trip down the PCT. –Curt
Hello Curt. Thank You. If You do not mind, I give one link to my posts. When You read it, You may think as I sometimes, that I am born in “wrong” country and at the wrong time. 🙂
Native Indian life
Happy Sunday to You and Yours,
Matti
I spent a lot of time in my youth as well learning about plants and animals and rocks, Matti. One of my adult interests has been to search the west for petroglyphs. This site will provide an example of posts I have written on the subject: https://wandering-through-time-and-place.com/2017/06/28
I found your post on Native Americans quite interesting. Thanks for sharing. –Curt
Thank You for this interesting post! Very inspiring! Matti
Glad you enjoyed it Matti.
Another wonder of this beautiful country!
One of the most wondrous, G!
These images!! Breathtaking.
Thanks, Sylvia. The Grand Canyon is always a go-to place for incredible scenery! –Curt
This place is so vast and so full of wonders, you can never see them all. How beautiful (I do understand those hooded transport can take exception to their passenger freight and enjoy walking waaaay too close to the edge.)
done a lot of walking around there, but helicopter and mule are still on the to do list.Love the pix and fun
I swear, Phil, Charlie the mule would swing his feet out over the abyss! Walking, for me, s the best way to see the canyon. But driving, mules, boats and helicopters do provide a different perspective. All beautiful. Thanks. –Curt
It’s been 42 years since I’ve been there – I’m waaaaay overdue.
I’d say so! –Curt
Wait — what? I was sure the canyon was more than a hundred years old! I’ve never been there, but every time I see your photos, the old urges to go stir afresh. At this point, it probably won’t ever happen, but it’s wonderful that you’ve been able to experience it in so many different ways.
The Canyon has been hanging out there for a while. (grin) Ever since the Colorado plateau started rising. And some of the rocks uncovered go back over a billion years. But, Linda, without the National Park, much of its beauty would now be covered by water backed up by dams! And why not go there? Just extend one of your road trips by a week or so… 🙂 –Curt
You’ve certainly managed more than your share of great adventures. What a great way to celebrate or commemorate Grand Canyon’s 100th! May it forever stay Grand! 😀
Yes, Gunta. Man it ever stay grand. Never enough great adventures. 🙂 –Curt
Curt as we have previously chatted about our rafting trips in the Canyon. Still at the top handful of my life experiences. So many of your photos took me right back to those locations. I almost didn’t jump off that waterfall but so glad I did.. and loved to tell about it.
Not surprising that the photos are familiar, Sue. The guides all seem to follow a similar routine as to where they stop and the adventures they offer, which isn’t surprising. I, too, jumped off although I and not big on jumping off things into water. 🙂 –Curt
Defy took all the courage I could muster. One of those ‘ will I regret not doing this later’ questions.
Laughing, Sue. I did it but I don’t think I will ever regret the high rocks I haven’t leapt off of, no matter how inviting the water looked. –Curt
thank you wandering-through-time-and-place
Fantastic blog
And a special post
thank you
Awesome photos! Bone is hilarious!
Thanks. Yeah, and Bone thinks so to. 🙂 –Curt
The Grand Canyon never disappoints or gets old, ha ha! Thanks for sharing your epic photos, Curt!
My pleasure, Kelly. I know I never tire of returning there! Thanks. –Curt
What a varied landscape and a variety of leisure opportunities! Heck, starting to sound like a guidebook, but you know what I mean! 🙂
One could spend a lifetime there, Dave. –Curt
You guys look pretty calm heading into a GC class 10! I haven’t been there for years; you’re making me want a revisit.
Trust me, Lexi, we were holding on for deer life! 🙂 –Curt
nice trip and nice information about Canyon. youtube downloader
Glad you liked it. –Curt