The Splendor of the Grand Canyon Side Canyons

Matkatamiba Canyon at Mile 148

Deer Creek Canyon Above the Falls Mile 136

Climbing into the side canyons became a highlight of the trip.  With names like Nankoweap, Deer Creek, Clear Creek, Elves Chasm, Matkatamiba, and Havasu we saw beautiful waterfalls, geology, and signs of previous civilizations who also lived along the river, grew crops, and traveled the waterways storing their produce in tiny grainaries high on the ledges.  Each climb brought new wonders, new visions of previous civilizations, and a renewed respect for the beauty of the canyon.  Of course, we marveled at the big horn, the deer, the many kinds of water fowl and falcons, and the less intrusive scorpions and lizards that scurried among the rocks.

Fun and Frivolity on the Grand Canyon

The Pirates From the Muriel June ....Argh !

Performance of The Grand Canyon Chorus Line

Junie and Bernie Celebrate Their 50th Aniversary

We traveled the Grand with 14 other people, close  friends and relatives most of whom we’d rafted with before.  Junie and Bernie’s 50th Anniversary celebration extended for the entire 12 days of the trip.  We had a special celebration each night with this “rift rafting” group.  Each night had a different theme.  Of course, costumes are a large part of the fun as we take on different persona with costumes.  In addition, each place we celebrated as well.  The chorus line of the ladies  celebrated our climb to Clear Creek water fall.  Singing, dancing, laughter, story telling became part of each day’s entertainment coinciding with the grandeur of the canyon, the wildlife, the geology, and the beautiful harmony of nature.

Grand Canyon Waterfalls

Peggy Enjoys Waterfall at Clear Creek Canyon Mile 84

Travertine Pools & Turquoise water in Havasu Canyon Mile 157

Before we left for the Grand Canyon trip Shirley asked how she would wash her hair.  I told her that every day we would have a water fall.  All the water is fresh, probably better than the drinking water we get at home.  There would be beautiful waterfalls with maiden hair ferns, sword ferns, and grottos.  Playing in the beautiful waterfalls would be something we did each day at Clear Creek, Elves Chasm, Dear Creek and Matkatamiba to name a few.  But the one we loved the most were the beautiful blue waterfalls over the travertine ledges at Havasu Falls.  We were disappointed that many flash floods have obliterated many of the former falls, but the canyon is still filled with beautiful blue water and the formation of new pools over travertine ledges.  In 1989 this was my favorite place and it still is one of the most beautiful of all side canyons on the Grand.

The 2010 Grand Canyon Anniversary Trip

Typical lunch at mile 120 Blacktail Canyon

Camp at Mile 114 Garnet Canyon

On the 16th of September, 2010, 16 hearty friends and relatives left from Lees Ferry just below the Lake Powell dam to spend 12 glorious days on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  In 1989 we did this same trip under Alan’s permit, but this time, we decided to take a commercial trip with Hatch. One purpose was to celebrate cousins June and Bernie’s 50th wedding anniversary. Hatch provided food, boatmen, all equipment, and planning of logistics which allowed us to really enjoy learning the river, the changes, discussions of geology, and environmental impact of humans. The weather was perfect the entire 12 days with temperatures ranging between 60’s and 80’s. At night the full moon provided enchanting shadows cast across the rocky landscape.  By day, we enjoyed each bend of the river, relived past experiences, and hiked many canyons.  For cousin Bernie Pausback this was his 7th time down the Grand Canyon.  We were in oar boats, so the time we spent was slow and introspective.  The National Park System does not allow motorized boats between September 15th and April 1st.

The river was greener and clearer than I’ve ever seen it.  Even with the semi-muddy merging of the Little Colorado, the silt settled quickly allowing us a visual of rocks underneath our bow during the entire trip.  Big horn were abundant along the entire waterway. This was the rutting season, so we saw many beautiful males vying for female dominance.  One exciting day we witnessed two rams in a head to head battle, rearing, charging and banging their heads (like the Disney nature movies).  Echos of the battle sounded loudly across the canyon.