We started at Lees Ferry on the Colorado River and floated 89 miles down river, past Phantom Ranch. We then hiked 7.6 miles up the Bright Angel Trail to Grand Canyon Village to complete our trip. The following notes are exerpts from my journal while we were on the river.
Julie and I started on the paddle boat. There are five boats. Four are larger oar boats manned by the guides and one paddle boat with six rafters and a guide.
As we headed down the river, the canyon rose from a few hundred feet to a thousand feet. Apparently the river is not dropping that much in elevation, but is carving into a rising land mass.
We hit two rapids on the first day, but had no problem staying in our boat.
There are a few other tour groups going down the river with us, but most of the time we are alone.
As the canyon rises we see additional layers of rock in the canyon walls marking different time periods.
The weather was mostly sunny, but when we broke for camp the wind picked up and sand was blowing into everything. The wind continued through the night.
May 2, 1999