Lee's Ferry, Mile 0

Lee's Ferry, Mile 0

Photo of Lee's Ferry - The day before put-in by Daniel W. Webb taken 08/09/04 @ 18000

Put in  There is a large parking area and unloading area next to a long boat launch area.  Private groups must unload and rig on the right side while commercial groups rig to the left.  There are toilets and potable water.   There is a covered picnic area that can be used for lunch, but not for any cooking.  

An old and a new bridge cross here about 500 feet above the river.    The old bridge is now a pedestrian walkway and viewing area.   On the north side of the bridge is a parking area, bathrooms and a small visitor center.   The view from the bridge is tremendous.  The view from below looking up at the bridge is pretty neat also. 

Badger is the first real rapid with Grand Canyon waves.  It is more difficult at lower flows when there are some rocks and holes to avoid.  

Soap Creek enters on the right just below the beginning of the rapid.  A typical rapid with large rocks and holes on either side at the top, but a wide tongue down the middle into standing waves.   Decent camping above the rapid on river right. 

Flip at House Rock Rapid

Flip at House Rock Rapid

Photo of Rafters from the Mesa - Tempe Group by Ratt Boy (KHCC-GC) taken 06/24/04

This rapid is named for House Rock Wash.   The rapid curves gradually to the right, so the current carries boats towards the left into a number of very big breaking waves.   Lurking in the waves at the bottom of the rapid is a boat flipping hole. 

It is easy for kayakers to go to the right of the hole, or to go through it and roll back up afterwards.  Loaded rafts have to pull hard to stay right.  If there is enough water, smaller rafts can sneak far right at the top and maneuver their way through shallow rocks. 

Start of the "Roaring Twenties", a series of fun and relatively closely spaced rapids. 

A BIG hole scout left.

On the left is a giant natural ampitheater carved out of the limestone.   It is an easy and very popular stop.    It is dark and cool in the back.   Sounds carry loudly through the cavern.  

President Harding Rapid

President Harding Rapid

Photo of Brian Day by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 5APR07

A big rock occupies the center of the river.  Clean tongues are on either side.  At some flows there is decent surfing for kayakers.   At high flows, the rock creates a monster hole, but there is plenty of room to avoid it to the left.   Campsite on river left. 

Little Colorado

Little Colorado

Photo of Little Colorado and North Rim by Ratt Boy (KHCC-GC) taken 06/28/04

The Little Colorado enters from the left.   During the dry season it will be flowing milky blue and will be a few hundred cfs coming from limestone springs just a few miles upstream.   During rainy times this river will be muddy with flows from its vast drainage. 

A long boulder strewn rapid.

Hance Rapid, first half

Hance Rapid, first half

Photo of Mark Mastalski by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/07/07

This is the first real ass kicker with big holes.   It is one of the longest rapids on the river and the rapid most cluttered with boulders and holes.    Boaters must make multiple manuvers throughout the rapid.   People typically scout from river left, but you can also scout on river right to better inspect the hero route through the biggest holes on the right.

Most boaters enter the rapid center right then work left to avoid the biggest holes. 

Sockdolager

Sockdolager

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/08/07

Don't get too far off the big V waves and find yourself smacked around.

Zoraster Camp

Zoraster Camp

Photo by Paul Martzen taken 03/25/09 @ 7,500 to 1,400 cfs

Only relevant at low flows.

Trail to the rim and site of Phantom Ranch where there is a postoffice and eatery.   Three different trails meet the river here.   One to the north rim and two up to the south rim.   You can hike a fun loop over the Bright Angel bridge and back over the Kaibab bridge.  

Making the Move at the Top of Horn

Making the Move at the Top of Horn

Photo of Amanda by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/09/07

Possibly the most difficult and intimidating rapid at lower flows.   Dark walls rise raggedly on both sides.   A big clean tongue enters the rapid on the right and flows into big breaking waves and finally into a monster wave hole. 

One strategy is to enter on the tongue, then get left of the bottom hole.  Another route is to enter between two horns at the top left of the rapid, punch some big waves then easily stay left of the bottom hole.  

The waves through out the rapid are powerful.

Granite

Granite

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/09/07

Granite is a long rapid with big waves.  The tongue funnels towards the right against the wall, and the waves tend to be largest on that side.  It is an easier ride to the left of center.

Raft runs Crystal

Raft runs Crystal

Photo of Steve Ingalls by Judi Cleary (KHCC) taken 08/15/01 @ 17,000cfs

Crystal became the big one in 1966, after a big flash flood in Crystal Creek dumped big boulders in the river and constricted the main channel to the left.   Crystal Hole dominated the center of the river and large diagonal waves surfed rafts towards it. 

Over time high flows in the main river have gradually reduced the power of the central hole and made it easier to miss the hole.   It still remains a serious rapid.   Scout from river right.

elves chasm

elves chasm

There is a wonderful short hike up to a pretty swimming hole.  It does involve some scrambling.   Adventurous climbers can continue scrambling past the main swimming hole and eventually come out above. 

The main current runs down the left side of the channel then piles up against a large bedrock midstream island.   Half of the current turns sharply to the right of the island and that is the safe route.    The other half of the current pushes to the left of the island, then turns sharply right on the downstream side.

The left side of the island is a narrow and extremely turbulent chute.   The rock walls on both sides are honecombed with potholes carved by the water.  

Scout from river right and take some time to explore the interesting rock formations there.   Bedrock creek is also a nice hike. 

Debendorff

Debendorff

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/02/07

This rapid is deceiving.   It is big and wide and easy at the top.   Once it picks up speed it curves a bit to the right then has large holes scattered through out.   With a heavy raft it is easy to blunder into a few of them. 

Tapeats Rapid

Tapeats Rapid

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/02/07

The rapid is a minor rapid, but the creek offers wonderful hiking.  Two trails climb the cliffs on either side of the creek then traverse narrow ledges above the gorge.  Facing upstream at the mouth, the trail on the left is easier, while the trail on the right requires some scrambling. 

Tapeats Creek flows year round because it is fed by two major springs; Thunder River and Tapeats Spring.  Thunder River is the closer but still requires a couple hours of hiking.   The trail past Thunder River, continues on to Surprise Valley and eventually to the north rim or over to Deer Creek.

Kayakers can carry boats up the right side trail so that they can paddle through the narrows.   See Tapeats Creek— Thunder River to Colorado River.

Camping is no longer allowed at the mouth of Tapeats Creek. 

Deer Creek Falls

Deer Creek Falls

Photo by Judi Cleary (KHCC) taken 08/15/01 @ 17,000cfs

Deer Creek is spring fed and flows all year long.   Boaters are provided with a dramatic sight where the creek gushes out of a notch in the cliff, then free falls about 170 feet, into a pool next to the main river.    A large sand bar seperates the base of the falls from the river.

There is a trail that starts at the mouth of Deer Creek and goes all the way to the north rim.  A long, but popular day hike from the river, during the cool season, is from Tapeats Creek to Deer Creek via Surprise Valley.   The steep hike to the valley above the falls is very nice by itself.

Experienced Canyoneers can travel through the short narrows leading down to the top of Deer Creek Falls.  It requires good rock climbing/canyoneering skills.  There are several bolted rappels past waterfalls within the narrows, while the final rappel is said to be 180 feet.   See canyoneeringusa.com,  and Todd's Hiking Guide.
 

upset

upset

This large rapid makes a gradual right turn against the cliff wall on the left with the debri fan on the right.  A very large wave hole lurks in the center of the waves about 2/3's of the way through.  

The conservative route is as far right as you can scrape down.   An exciting line is available on the left side which avoids the main hole, but requires punching other wave holes that are only somewhat smaller.

Tougher at lower flows.  Not sure at what flows the wave holes wash out. 

Raft Running Lava Falls

Raft Running Lava Falls

Photo of Raft Running Lava Falls by M. White taken 06/06/01 @ 14,000

Lava rapid (mile 179) is the most intimidating rapid in the Grand Canyon.  Because of another flash flood in Prospect Canyon, the left side of the rapid (which is considered by some to be a sneak) is cluttered with boulders, and more popular with rafters at higher flows (at least 15,000). Center at the top of the rapid is one of the biggest pourover holes you'll ever see, yet you will not be the first to throw some ends there if you try. You can scout from either side, but the impressive scout is to follow a small trail on river right up to an outcrop of lava where you can overlook the maelstrom. It doesn't look good, but you can't see while you're in it. The standard line is to start center right. Rafts commonly punch through the maw of the V-wave, but kayakers can bust through the lateral that feeds it from the left and smooth out their ride.

A rough dirt road comes down the side canyon to the river.   The eddy is fairly small and Diamond Creek rapid starts immediately downstream.  During the monsoon season in July and August, Diamond Creek can flash flood and wash the road out. 

Because of the low levels of Lake Mead,  this take out and boat ramp has not been usable for several years.  (as of 2008)   The river is separated from the boat ramps by a mile or so of sand and silt.   The reservoir needs to be 1177 or higher for this take out to be usable.   Check with park service and other resources to make sure.

This new rapid that is forming at around mile 281 is becoming a class 5 to 6 on the Grand Canyon scale and should be approached with caution as there is a large wrap rock in the center of the channel. The rapid is hard to see as it is on a 90 degree corner.   Reservoir silt has filled in the old river channel which ran along the cliffs to the north.  The river has cut a new channel to the south, exposing a rock ridge.  As the reservoir level dropped the rapid has become bigger and bigger.

Photos of Superimposition Rapid near Pierce Ferry, uncovered by the low lake levels.  Photos from February 2008.   

Durango Bill's page with excellent photos and explanation of the formation of this rapid. 

The satellite view on the map tab gives a good close up view of this new rapid when you zoom in.

When the lake level is around 1105 feet or lower, a rapid appears at the end of Iceburg Canyon.   An excellent surfing wave is reported to form there, also.    The location and rating are approximate.

While Lake Mead is very low, South Cove is the only viable take out past Diamond Creek. 

Scripps Institute has published a study suggesting that Lake Mead could go completely dry by 2021