After about 1.5 hours, it was time for us to bid farewell to Thunder Falls and continue on. Fortunately for us, Thunder River and then Tapeats Creek would always be within hearing distance during the remainder of our hike. A definite change, as we had spent the previous afternoon and morning walking in silence.
A reminder that for all of the water we just saw, we are still in a desert.
We continued to descend. While not quite as steep as what we had experienced during the previous two days, it was still well worth one's while to pay careful attention to the path ahead.
The water was always to our left as we descended.
As we descended, the temperature continued a slow climb, perhaps not sensible directly next to the water but certainly away from it.
A garden of cacti, reminder that we are still in arid climes.
Looking back, one can easily track the course of the water.
The colours of the Grand Canyon never cease to amaze me. Here the rock appears green on one side, red and orange and yellow on the other.
Layers upon layers upon layers.
And then - The Colorado River! (Muddy, as mentioned before, from a release from dam upstream.)
We set up camp at the junction of Tapeats Creek and The Colorado. We had come 10 miles and descended 1470 ft.
Dinner tonight was Chicken and pasta, with a special dessert treat for one of hiking members, who turned 72.
My "attempt" at an artsy photo of the moon:
Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Hope to get out west one day...
ReplyDeleteAnon - You are so welcome! There are some many amazing places to see all around the U.S. that I never even know about until I get there.
DeleteQuite the descent after two days, a quarter mile TB.......tired I am after just looking at today's shots/vids........:)
ReplyDeleteNylon12, I think we logged about 14 miles over two days - but yes, the descents were hard; some of the hardest I have certainly done.
DeleteOddly enough, the views somehow are a great reward though.
I'm starting to get a sense now of how our paths crossed. From Surprise Valley to the Colorado, I essentially walked in the opposite direction as you. I assume from your earlier picture, that from Deer Creek to Surprise Valley, we essentially walked in opposite directions as well. Here is a link to my post about that day if you haven't read it already.
ReplyDeletehttps://riverbendjournal.blogspot.com/2022/05/day-twelve-thunder-riverdeer-creek.html
Ed, thanks for sharing! What a delight to re-read this 3 years later having been there! The photos are a fascinating perspective on technology in and of themselves.
DeleteThe rushing water at Tapeats Creek was interesting. We did not have to do any major water crossings this trip (back and forth across Deer Creek a couple times, but that was nothing.
I saw the handprints too! So great you had the backstory.
Beautiful photos. Breathtaking views. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada ❤️ 😊 🇨🇦
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Linda! I am glad to be able share these with people. I am conscious that this is something many people do not get to see.
DeleteI find rock layers quite fascinating. That, and the amazing colors.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, the layers are so dramatic here. There really is nothing else in the world like it.
DeleteBeautiful, TB. I'm curious how close to the river to you camp? Mostly, I'm wondering if you hear the rushing water all night? I'm imagining it being a nice white noise - like I sleep with a fan on - but nicer.
ReplyDeleteWe were quite close Becki. Having a running stream makes for a lovely background noise all night. I understand more why people include fountains in their gardens.
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