This morning (Day 3) was an early rise, more just because things get light early - with pancakes for breakfast, which I think are one of my favorite hiking breakfasts.
An interesting hiking note: everywhere else in the Grand Canyon, you are encouraged to "do your business" 100 ft or more from a water source. Along the Colorado River, you are encouraged to urinate directly into The River (other items are, of course, 100 ft away and in a small hole). The more you know.
A face made out of stone. Undoubtedly the white rocks which are the eyeballs started by two or more hikers or rafters, possibly drinking, looking across the creek and saying "You know what would make that better?"
Tapeats Creek and the Colorado River meeting:
Looking back up Tapeats Creek:
For perspective, Monument Point that we were above when we started hiking.
Our hike would take us along the Colorado River, going up and down until we reached Deer Creek. Almost out the gate, we ran into this fellow. He was about as long as my arm (which, as it turns out, is a real cubit/18 inches).
Our hike today was mostly along the Colorado River until we took a sharp turn inland and headed to Deer Creek. When I say "mostly along the Colorado" do not get confused with the idea that this was sandy beach walk; the rocks and boulders below are indicative of the sort of geography we had to hike through as well as the fact that there were points we had to ascend and then descend back to the river.
One of the ascents:
This picture represents one of the two points of the hike where we had to form a human chain to pass our packs down as the descent was simply too steep and risky. Starting from the tree at the top, we had a daisy chain of folks passing packs down (and people as we scrambled down) to the upright rock at the center of the photo, where they were physically transferred to someone else and then passed down further. I was stationed just below that upright rock to help steady packs.
My palms are still sweating as I write about it now.
And back down to the Colorado River:
And back up yet again:
In the center of this photo you can sort of see the trail. They were generally defined, but definitely one needed to pay attention to them.
Hmmm. A grouping of trees at the bottom of a canyon. What could that portend?
Welcome to Deer Creek!
This area is called the Deer Creek Patio; it was a great place to rest and eat.
As you can see (and will be more evident later), Deer Creek is a slot canyon, a very narrow canyon cut by a river.
Beyond just the amazing layering of rock here, one has to wonder how the overhang rocks at the top do not just tumble down.
I have lunch labeled as "Mediterranean" with no specifics, other than (obviously) Pita Bread.
Looking up the path out of Deer Creek. Up there lies (eventually) Surprise Valley.
Dinner was Ramen with chicken, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.
"Red Light Cactus at Night". T.B., Mixed Media, 2025.
Quite the itinerary this day TB, was wondering if there was cell phone service or was a satellite phone packed in? Just in case........
ReplyDeleteHiking along the river was by far the most dangerous aspect of my trip. Lots of big and sharply edged rocks plus the occasional poisonous reptile mixed in to keep things exciting. I think I saw less than six hikers the entire three weeks on the river.
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