Part 15 Colorado River trip Day 5–Diamond Creek pull out

The moon greeted us high above the canyon walls at Diamond Creek the last morning along the Colorado River. We reluctantly packed...

Part 14 Rafting the Colorado River Day 4–The last stretch to Diamond Creek

After all the fun rapids the Colorado River seemed to slow to a crawl as we floated the last stretch to Diamond Creek where we would end our journey.

OWT - Part 13 Rafting the Colorado River Day 4–Lava Falls

I was told last year that Lava Falls at River Mile 179 is the most exciting, and terrifying, 13 seconds of life, if you stay in the boat.  Find out if I did here.

Part 12 Rafting the Colorado River Day 3–Counting Sheep while awake

For NPS employees a river trip isn't all fun and play.  We helped with wildlife inventory by counting sheep along the way...

Part 11–Colorado River trip Day 3–Havasu Creek

The blue-green waters of Havasu Creek offered reprieve from the cold Colorado River as we...

Part 10 Rafting the Colorado River Day 3–Matkatamiba

Yesterday we played in Deer Creek Falls and today we continued rafting down the Colorado River, next stop Matkatamiba...

Part 9 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - On to Deer Creek Falls

After all that hard work talking tamarisk we needed a diversion.  Explore Deer Creek Falls here...

Our World - Part 8 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - Talking tamarisk

Rafting on the Colorado River brought almost indescribable joy…

Part 7 Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - Counting

Western Tanager at 120 Mile camp 

OK, I know you’re all thinking that this trip down the river was just for fun and not working. Wrong. If you keep reading you'll find out we did work...

Part 6–Rafting the Colorado River Day 1–Making camp

After playing at Elves Chasm we floated downriver to make our first night’s camp.

Our World Tuesday - Part 5–Rafting the Colorado River Day 1–Playing at Elves Chasm

No little people, just our staff having fun at...

Part 4 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 1 - Rapids and Rocks

Shinumo Rapid ~RM109.4

The day continued with even more rapids...

Part 3 Colorado River trip Day 1 Ross Wheeler

Our Colorado River trip leader, Dave, shared the story of the Ross Wheeler.

SWF–Look up from the Colorado River

Rafting on the Colorado River changed the way I look at the Grand Canyon.

Several times I’ve crossed the Silver Bridge to hike up from the depths of the canyon.

We welcomed the cloudy sky which gave reprieve from 100F+ on our first day.

And yet the sun poked through occasionally as we floated down the river.

Plus the sunset from camp predicted a delightful second day to follow.

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Rafting the Colorado River

Gaelyn dreaming at Toroweap

While I was in South Texas this winter my supervisor told me she’d recommended me for the annual Colorado River trip for park employees. I've dreamed of rafting the Colorado River...