Friday, May 11, 2012

Rafting the Colorado

Or at least a small, wimpy piece of it, through Marble Canyon. The rafting trip started below the Glen Canyon Dam in Page.


But how did we get down to the water? The tour bus drove through a 2-mile long tunnel that was built when the dam was being built in the 1950s and 60s.


It comes out right below the bridge. We have to wear hard hats from the bus to the rafts, just so no one kills us with a penny thrown off the bridge...


On to the rafts we go!


Paul is our driver. He looks like he has some experience. To be honest, there are no rapids on this stretch of the Colorado, just a few ripples.


Soon, we are leaving the dam behind.


This is one of the 14 windows of the tunnel we drove down. They used them to throw out the rock that was dug out when the tunnel was built.


Soon we go by the only "waterfall" on the trip.


Downstream the reflections are gorgeous.


We made a pit stop just above Horseshoe Bend, where there are potties and some really nice petroglyphs. Don't miss the ones along the ground level.


Most pictures of Horseshoe Bend are from the rim. By the way, all the photos except this one were taken with my underwater camera, the Canon D10. It takes good pictures above water too.


But this is what Horseshoe Bend looks like from the water level.


We are on our way to Lee's Ferry, and as we get closer, the canyon opens up.


It's important not to miss the landing here, or else you are on a 2-week trip through the Grand Canyon with no food or supplies!

13 comments:

  1. Thank you, I really enjoyed the ride on the raft and the water level scenery.

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  2. Looks like a great leisurely trip where you could just relax and enjoy. Certainly not what you want if you are looking for the excitement of rapids.

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  3. I am so looking forward to this "slow ride" sometime this summer. May even get towed up to the dam from Lees Ferry in a friends boat then float back down. No matter where you are on the Colorado River, it's marvelous.

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  4. Great ride! I didn't even know you could do that. Sounds like fun.

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  5. That looks like another great adventure to put on my bucket list. Thanks for the beautiful pics.

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  6. Hi Diana! I particularly like the aerial shot of horseshoe...very interesting contrast of colors.

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  7. That was really cool. Just when I think you've done it all, you come up with another gem of an adventure!

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  8. Thanks for a great ride and I didn't even get wet. That 2 mile tunnel must have been interesting.

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  9. That looks like a nice trip, great photos! :)

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  10. One of these days! We keep talking about a fishing trip to Lee's Ferry - but just haven't gotten around to it.

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  11. I think that rafting trip is just about my speed. Thanks for showing us, it will go on the Bucket List!

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    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  12. NOT that looks like fun....but dont blink and miss that landing...Criky!! The horseshoe is much pretty from the cliff, Great Petroglyphs...You're having a great spring!!

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  13. I've always wanted to do that too. Next time.

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