July 2, 2015

July 2, 2015

We awoke to a higher river level.  The dam must be generating more to meet electrical demand.  This should make for some wilder rides.  The river is also noticeably browner from rain on the plateau above.  No wonder the Spanish named it the Colorado (colored).  It is only because of the settling affect of the dam that the river oftentimes runs clear.

Soon after departing camp, we find the river has exposed a completely different strata.  No more sedimentary rocks; we are into the basement rocks of the continent.  We have entered the beautiful inner Granite Gorge.  It is a significantly harder rock layer, hence the river is narrower and much swifter.

We don our rain suits today because of the rapids.  It is to stay warmer.  Since the water comes off the bottom of Glen Canyon Dam, it is a bone chilling 46.  Mostly I have been riding with Aimee in the back of the boat, jokingly referred to as the “Tea Room” for its calmer ride.  Since I am feeling better, I take a couple turns sitting in the very front of the raft, an area known as the “Bath Tub”.  It takes a couple big rapids before I learn to hold my breath until the last splash.

Our first stop today was at the only piece of civilization along the entire journey, Phantom Ranch.  It is connected to the outside world by mule train.  We only stayed long enough to refill water jugs.

A second stop was at Shinumo Creek for a short hike to a little waterfall.  It was cute because we were able to climb around a rock and come out under the waterfall.  With an air temperature well over 100, the water felt great.

We also passed the site of several old Asbestos mines in the cliff wall where the sedimentary and granite layers meet.  The guide explained that this mineral forms where hot water encounters igneous rocks.

Our last stop was at Blacktail canyon.  The Grand Canyon is filled with narrow side canyons formed from rain on the plateau spilling down the canyon walls.  We camped across the river at mile marker 121.  We were again blasted by sand until rain came to our relief.  We took shelter under an overhang.  Within minutes, a small waterfall formed to our side.   Oooh, the beginnings of a new slot canyon!