Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 11, 2006 at 7:17 PM
It's great to witness mother nature in action - from a distance.
Here's what happens in the Grand Canyon after an hour of heavy rain.
We made a quick retreat from the entrance to Havasu Canyon because of the flooding danger - that creek drains a big area and has had a few notorious "flushes". It was disappointing not seeing the beautiful canyon, but...heading down the Colorado to find a dry place for lunch, we came across several pouroffs that were VERY active.
All of the pouroffs were still flowing strong at the time we left - about 90 minutes later!
Posted by bill meikle on October 11, 2006 at 7:50 PM
Life is more important! maybe! great catch Bill.
Bill
Posted by Ken Einig on October 11, 2006 at 8:31 PM
Yikes! Mother N can be a very powerful force. You got to witness that. Impressive shot!
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on October 11, 2006 at 9:16 PM
Very nice and unique pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 11, 2006 at 11:06 PM
Thanks, guys.
I highly recommend adding a week long raft trip down the Colorado to your list of 101-things-you-need-to-do-before-you-die list. It's a real bargain for your vacation dollar. This was my second trip and I sure plan to go again, soon. So much to explore, so little time. Hmm.... I wonder if my wife would mind if I retired and trained to become a Grand Canyon boatman.....
Posted by Don Grall on October 12, 2006 at 2:28 PM
Great shot, Bill ! It sounds like you had a great time! Too bad the weather came in at Havasu, which is a beautiful hike. And yes, that canyon has had some monster flood waters race through it. I had the opportunity to first hike it in 1983 when we went 6 miles up to Mooney Falls (awesome place!) I was dismayed in 1997, at the sight of the destruction of some of the most beautiful terraces in the first mile up from the river that was a result of a monster flush that occured in 1995 or 1996. By 2002, some of the terraces were showing signs of rebuilding .
I definitely agree with you on your opinion to add a trip down the Grand to your 101 list of things to do, and would like to add to do it when you're younger than older, because you will be in better physical condition, on average, allowing you to experience a lot more of the many side canyons. I've spent a total of 60 days over 4 trips down there and have only explored about 20 side canyons, since most days were spent paddling my kayak. The hikes occurred at campsites or rest spots along the way, although on one trip, we planned for 2 full days off the river which resulted in two big hikes 1)a hike of 6 miles to Thunder River, a spring that pours out,clean and pure, from the side of a cliff. and 2) the hike to Mooney Falls in 1983, another 6 mile hike, but the way back was a blast because we could swim down the river in many spots.
.
Don.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 12, 2006 at 6:17 PM
Don, looks like I'll have to work really hard to catch up. I'm already 46 days behind your count. A kayak would certainly be the ultimate way to experience the river...but that will remain WAY beyond my capabilities.
The longest hike we took was a six mile loop, up Carbon Canyon and down Lava Creek. Wonderful exposures of unique PreCambrian sediments preserved in a fault block.
The rapids are fun, but the side canyon hikes are what draw me back to the river. They are all so different. It would be hard to pick a favorite.
Posted by Brian Jackson on October 12, 2006 at 9:41 PM
Those are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Brian
Posted by Dan Walters on October 14, 2006 at 9:16 PM
Discussion
8 repliesHere's what happens in the Grand Canyon after an hour of heavy rain.
We made a quick retreat from the entrance to Havasu Canyon because of the flooding danger - that creek drains a big area and has had a few notorious "flushes". It was disappointing not seeing the beautiful canyon, but...heading down the Colorado to find a dry place for lunch, we came across several pouroffs that were VERY active.
See http://www.pelzmann.smugmug.com/gallery/1994622/1/101840784 for a few more angles. These were from a week long geology field trip last month.
All of the pouroffs were still flowing strong at the time we left - about 90 minutes later!
Bill
I highly recommend adding a week long raft trip down the Colorado to your list of 101-things-you-need-to-do-before-you-die list. It's a real bargain for your vacation dollar. This was my second trip and I sure plan to go again, soon. So much to explore, so little time. Hmm.... I wonder if my wife would mind if I retired and trained to become a Grand Canyon boatman.....
I definitely agree with you on your opinion to add a trip down the Grand to your 101 list of things to do, and would like to add to do it when you're younger than older, because you will be in better physical condition, on average, allowing you to experience a lot more of the many side canyons. I've spent a total of 60 days over 4 trips down there and have only explored about 20 side canyons, since most days were spent paddling my kayak. The hikes occurred at campsites or rest spots along the way, although on one trip, we planned for 2 full days off the river which resulted in two big hikes 1)a hike of 6 miles to Thunder River, a spring that pours out,clean and pure, from the side of a cliff. and 2) the hike to Mooney Falls in 1983, another 6 mile hike, but the way back was a blast because we could swim down the river in many spots.
.
Don.
The longest hike we took was a six mile loop, up Carbon Canyon and down Lava Creek. Wonderful exposures of unique PreCambrian sediments preserved in a fault block.
The rapids are fun, but the side canyon hikes are what draw me back to the river. They are all so different. It would be hard to pick a favorite.
Brian