Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Raft: Miles 136-180… The Great River Series # 4

/ Curt Mekemson
Deer Creek Falls was at mile 136, less than a mile below Christmas Tree Cave where I finished our last post. Here, Peggy enjoys the roar and the mist.

Today will take us another 44 miles down the river, which is short on miles but filled with both beauty and adventure. The beauty will be provided by Deer Creek Falls combined with a hike that takes us high above the river, and Havasu Creek that feature sparkling aqua blue water. Lava Falls Rapid will provide much of the adventure. Its #10 rating in difficulty recognizes it as one of the most challenging rapids in the world. We looked forward to it with excitement, and I might add, more than a little trepidation.

Deer Creek Falls and its 180 foot drop.
Getting up to Deer Creek above the falls involved a substantial climb. You can see the trail as it makes its steep, windy way up.
Don caught a photo of us high above the Colorado. (Photo by Don Green.)
This Shangri-La with its welcome shade, magnificently carved rocks and cool water, made the trip up more than worthwhile.
Or maybe I should say cold water. Susan obviously thought so.
Beth Annon found another way to enjoy the coolness of Deer Creek. (Photo by Don Green)
Bone wants to jump into the waterfall. Peggy is providing him with advice, “If you do that, it will be bye-bye Bone.”
She also warned him to watch out for Tom and Don, the very definition of trouble.
With good reason.
After people got though playing in the waterfall, we all had time for R and R. Dave took it seriously. I’m convinced he can nap anywhere. The rope provided a rather unique pillow. Nice rubber band bracelet, too.
Peggy and I took advantage of the time to capture some of the areas unique beauty.
Deer Creek had cut an impressive canyon of its own.
The colorful carved rocks and crystal clear creek made for fun photos.
Another example.
Our trip back down provided more views of the Colorado River…
And our boats.
Our continuing trip down the Colorado provided more views of the magnificent Grand Canyon.
And another.
When we reached Havasu Creek at mile 156.8, we weren’t alone. It’s a popular area and a commercial group was exploring the creek. They were wrapping up their visit, however, and we soon had the creek to ourselves. (Photo by Don Green.)
The creek is known for its vibrant blue color and unique travertine formations, both of which are caused by large amounts of calcium carbonate in the water.
The beauty of the area is jaw dropping. (Photo by Don Green.)
Water flowing over a travertine formation.
Whether flowing in a flat stream…
Down a gentle rapid…
Or through a carved canyon, it captured us.
Even Bone found himself on edge over its beauty.
We hiked up the creek along a narrow path. (Photo by Don Green.)
While some continued to hike up the creek toward the Havasupai Village… (Havasu Creek is on the Havasupai land.)
Others chose to luxuriate…..with a mud bath for example.
Or quiet swim…
Or seeking bliss. Peggy and I stayed behind because we had been to the Havasupai Village a few years earlier when our son Tony had flown us in by helicopter.
While this looks weird, it’s a rafter tradition. The crew here is forming a butt dam. (Note Tom. I sometimes wondered if he had a hidden stash of magic mushrooms along.) When the ‘dam’ had created a lake…
The crew dashed off to the side, creating a mini flood.
Once again, we are floating down a beautiful calm river. That’s about to end. Lava Falls Rapid is waiting for us.
First we camp, however. Don demonstrates how to be a pack animal. Was he planning to give up his day job as a probate judge and apply for a position as a Grand Canyon mule?
You can hear the roar of Lava Falls Rapids long before you get there. Here we were floating down a calm river, came around a bend and there it was— churning! Waiting to eat our boats. We had been living in anticipation of this moment the whole 180 miles of our journey.
Extremely careful scouting is called for.
We look on in awe as our boatmen plotted out the best route. There was huge hole waiting to suck our boats in and a narrow pathway around it.
Dave stood there for a long time, staring at the river, planning his route. He had been waiting for years for this opportunity, applying again and again for a permit. Don took this photo. I wish to thank him again for his superb job of capturing Peggy and me as we went through the rapids with Steve. Otherwise we wouldn’t have the record we do.
This is Megan kayaking through the rapids. Can you imagine yourself being there? Shortly afterwards, she rolled. (Photo by Don Green.)
And we begin one of the most intense experiences we have ever had. It’s the journey of a lifetime that lasts forever and takes approximately 20 seconds.
I still get the jitters when I see this photo. Peggy and I were hanging on to special ties with all of the strength we had. Steve was rowing like a madman, using all of his considerable skills, trying to keep control of his boat. (Photo by Don Green.)
Five seconds later we had disappeared under a wall of water on the edge of the massive hole. (Photo by Don Green.)
And then emerged out the other side! Check out Peggy. I think she was hanging on with her teeth as well as her hands. (Photo By Don Green.)
Even then our ride wasn’t over. Wait! Where’s Peggy? UH-OH. (Just kidding, she’s hidden on the other side of me.) Photo by Don Green.
We made it to Tequila Point just below the rapids. The tequila was waiting!
Folks helped Megan gather her equipment. She was fine, but definitely ready for a shot.
Everyone was happy.
Next post: The final hundred miles of our trip down the Colorado River.

28 thoughts on “Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Raft: Miles 136-180… The Great River Series # 4”

  3. What a fun and beautiful post Curt which your glorious pictures with live action. What a great trip and adventure. You are living the life and loving it. Thanks for taking us on the ride. Action packed riding those currents and burr. Hugs and love💓🌹💕

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  5. Your scenery photography here tops the posts before. You really did an outstanding job of showing us how magnificent this canyon is. I am humbled. The image of Megan kayaking is excellent and exciting! I am so impressed with the shades of green, aqua, red. The stripey rocks, the bubbly streams, the plants establishing themselves in the base of the canyon and insisting on making an environment. It’s just wonderful. All of it. The photos of you and Peggy going through the rapids makes my heart rate speed up, and I’ll bet it does yours too. ❤

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    • Much beauty and much adventure, Crystal. While I had blogged about the trip before, both Peggy and I were delighted to revisit the Canyon and enjoy its incredible beauty again. And, I might add, we very much appreciated having Don along to add his photos and capture our trip through Lava Falls Rapids.

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  8. I’ve fallen a bit behind and missed the first few miles of your trip, it would appear, but I’ll definitely be going back when I have a chance, because this just looks like such an incredible experience. It’s the Grand Canyon as so few people ever get to see it. It’s amazing to go from a perfectly smooth reflection to enormous rapids like that.

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  9. Wow, Curt. I read this post with my husband and now we want to do this. The rapids were a little intimidating to be sure. But what a fabulous 20 seconds! Lol. So beautiful and adventurous. You and Peggy are so inspiring! 🙂

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    • For sure, D. It is one of those life time experiences that are incredibly hard to match. Commercial trips on the river are available, not the same, but they certainly provide a taste of the experience.
      As for inspiration, thanks. 😁One of the primary goals of our blog since the beginning has been to encourage people to get out and explore the world around them, whether its their backyard or somewhere half way around the world.

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