After viewing the dramatic upper canyon from the uppermost layer of the Colorado plateau, one of our most exciting days at the Grand Canyon involved getting up close and personal with some Colorado River rapids! This one day, 55-mile journey hosted by Hualapai River Runners was surely a highlight of our trip. Whitewater thrills, miles and miles of dramatic canyon walls lined by 1.75 billion year old rocks, wildflowers, a waterfall grotto and viewing canyons and peaks of historical and cultural significance. And did I mention the frybread at the Diamond Creek Restaurant afterwards? Sublime perfection.
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| Either the Guiness or Bridge Canyon Rapids |
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| Vishnu basement rocks with pink Zoraster granite tower above our tiny blue rafts |
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| After climbing a ladder going up a waterfall to reach the Travertine Grotto |
While most of our trip consisted of activities selected spontaneously after we had arrived in the National Park, we were happy to have booked a week in advance the One-Day Adventure with the Hualapai River Runners. From a cursory online search, it seemed that this may be the only way to get down to the Colorado River for a day trip in the Grand Canyon (See Tips below). We were lucky that this rafting adventure had just reopened. It was available for only one of the full days our whole group would be together. So I quickly called around to get everyone's approval and put down the nonrefundable fare to reserve it for four people.
We thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Note that you will get thoroughly soaked, unless you stay back on the platform with the cooler through the rapids (you will get wet there, too). So it's best to wear wool or synthetic, quick drying clothing. You will have ample time to dry off during the relaxed cruise past forty some miles of scenic canyon after lunch.
