SWF–Another first this summer at Grand Canyon

Six captive breed California condors where first released from the Vermilion Cliffs of northern Arizona in 1996. Within a year only three remained. One was found dead of a puncture wound from a Golden Eagle, one flew into power lines near Page, Arizona and the other simply disappeared. Now 74 condors have been released in Arizona plus there have been 13 wild born of which only 9 remain. This is truly a success story considering there were only 22 California condors left in the wild in 1982 when the capture and captive breeding began.

 

We don’t see many condors on the North Rim. They are attracted to crowds so are seen more frequently on the South Rim, where 90% of the 5 million visitors a year go. But Wednesday a couple of visitors told me they’d seen a pair perched on a rock ledge below Angels Window. I didn’t see them there but when I walked past the window to the end of the trail at Cape Royal a shadow caught my eye causing me to look up and there one flew. I immediately pointed up into the sky and announced “condor overhead” and every visitors eyes turned skyward with cameras clicking. My shots aren’t the best. But then I had to answer a lot of condor questions.

 

To see more of what’s up in the sky go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Published 9/1/11 after this post by the Peregrine Fund who participates in the condor recovery program. Although condors are increasing in the wild they still die from lead poisoning. Check out the Summer 2011 update by clicking now.

Part 2 Rafting the Colorado River–Day 1- A Gem of a ride

After lunch at Lower Tuna camp we headed into the Gems floating by canyons named Agate, Sapphire, Turquoise, Emerald, Ruby and Serpentine. Each as precious as their namesakes.

Sapphire Rapid ~RM101.7 Colorado River

Every one offering a rapid ride.

And spectacular scenery.

How fun it would be to stop and explore every little nook along the way.

Ruby Rapid ~RM105.4

Then be swept away on the next rapid.

Only to discover another treasure ahead.

Our World Tuesday–Part 1 Rafting the Colorado River–Day 1 Big Water

Looking up at the South Rim from Phantom Ranch bunkhouse

Awoke to a beautiful partly cloudy morning.

After a breakfast of reheated spaghetti from the night before (breakfast didn’t make it down to the ranch) our trip leader Dave spent time going over safety. Other than hold on tight and always wear your PFD (life jacket) while on the boat we were told that most accidents happen on shore at camp or while hiking. Advice was to move at half speed.

This was the 2nd Annual NPS All Employee River Trip consisting of staff from many different divisions at Grand Canyon National Park. This was not a paid vacation but a working river trip. I’ll fill you in on projects that are taking place along the river as we get there.

Kaibab Suspension Bridge RM88

Our journey began about (~) river mile (RM) 88.1. River miles are based on the 2002 U.S. Geological Survey conducted by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. Starting point is the gauging station cable at Lee’s Ferry.

Bright Angel Suspension Bridge ~RM88.4

Compared to the normal 8000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for mid-August, massive snow pack and melt from the Rocky Mountains allowed the release of 26000 cfs through Glen Canyon Dam.

Looking up river at Horn Creek Rapid rated 7-9 ~RM90.8

A big water day with six rapids rated over 5 during the first 12 miles, before lunch. Rapid ratings are given on a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 the most difficult. Ratings are based on river flows of between 5000 and 25000 cfs.

Our journey included two motorized rafts. The smaller 22 foot “snout” usually took on four passengers, a swamper (helper), the boatwoman and all our personal gear in large dry-bags. The larger 37 foot “S-rig” carried 12 passengers, a swamper,  boatman and lots of gear including tents, cots, sleeping pads, kitchen and food, plus the toilet facilities (of course packed separately).

Looking up river Hermit Rapid rated 7-8 ~RM95.5

Before the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, large floods on the river would disperse the smaller boulders from debris flows downstream, lessening the severity of rapids.

Crystal Rapid rated 7-10 ~RM99

A 1966 debris flow tumbled boulders from Crystal Creek causing Crystal to become a major rapid. In 1983 the National Park Service asked passengers to walk around the dangerously swollen Crystal Rapid. It was one of the most exciting rapids so far.

“Clouds are playing in the canyon today. Sometimes they roll down in great masses, filling the gorge with gloom; sometimes they hang aloft from wall to wall and cover the canyon with a roof of impending storm…”                 --John Wesley Powell

Lunch at Lower Tuna camp ~RM100.1

Sandbars along the river make ideal campsites, and lunch stops. In an effort to reduce problems with scavengers tarps are laid out under the kitchen setup and then small scraps are dumped into the river where they will be quickly washed away. We enjoyed a variety of lunchmeats and cheeses along with lettuce, tomato and avocado, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, served with fruit.

Our adventure continued through the Gems after lunch. More to come.

To tour more of the world go to Our World Tuesday by clicking here.

Hiking to the river

After hiking 7 miles down the North Kaibab trail and staying at Cottonwood campground Mike had to hike back up 4170 feet while I headed another 7 miles down to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River. Mine was certainly the easier journey with only a 1534 foot drop in elevation.

Really a gentle walk next to Bright Angel Creek.

August 15, 1869 – “Early in the afternoon we discover a stream entering from the north-a clear, beautiful creek, coming down through a gorgeous red canyon. We conclude to name it ‘Bright Angel’.” –John Wesley Powell

And through “the box” which is one of my favorite sections of the North Kaibab trail.

The intrusions of Zoroaster granite into the Vishnu schist create an abstract sort of geo-art.

I made it to Phantom Ranch in four hours and beat the heat in the box. The high at the Ranch went to 106F so the box could easily have gotten to 125F.

The South Rim staff going on the lower Colorado River trip would hike down later that afternoon and evening and we’d all be staying at the National Park Service bunkhouse at Phantom Ranch. Thank goodness it’s furnished with a huge full kitchen, two bathrooms with showers and AC.

Only one little problem, my gear and the other North Rim rafter’s didn’t make it down to the bunkhouse on the mules. And neither did our planned spaghetti dinner or breakfast.

So being a helicopter from the South Rim was already scheduled to Roaring Springs Ranger Residence it also dropped the missing gear and dinner off near Phantom Ranch and saved the mule skinner from making a second trip. We ate good that night, instead of trail food, and slept on bunkbeds before heading for the river in the morning.