The Grand Time

Tom's Journal

June 13, 2007 - Day 29

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This is a day I have waited on the Grand Canyon permit list for more than fourteen years; only time will tell if it has been worth the wait.

The fluctuation in the river’s flow-in this instance from high to low water-left our three fully loaded rafts “high and dry” in the mud. If not for the kindness of fifteen very nice folks in another private party who helped us push them into the water, we would have had to unload them, move them and reload them.

After orientation and equipment safety check with Ranger Paul, we shoved off at 12:30 pm.

Major Powell named this gorgeous area-with its thousand foot high shimmering walls-Marble Canyon, but it is actually predominantly limestone.

The clarity of the water made the white water easier to read than the muddy flows I encountered earlier in the trip, especially in Cataract Canyon. But feeling insignificant in our kayaks, Al and I were surprised at how large and powerful the crashing waves were.

For two of our three oars”persons”, Dave and Peggy, this was new territory. They and Loren all did a fine job.

After passing under the Navajo Bridge, we made our way through Badger Creek and Soap Creek rapids. The only item lost was a shade umbrella.

After 12 miles, we made camp on the river’s left side at about 6pm. The mood was celebratory as we marveled at the way the day’s last light created all shades of color on an infinite number of rock surfaces far, far above us.

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Mile by Mile Photos

June 13, 2007 - Day 29
Mile 646 through Mile 657

May 16 2007 - Day 1May 17 2007 - Day 2May 18 2007 - Day 3May 19 2007 - Day 4May 20 2007 - Day 5May 21 2007 - Day 6May 22 2007 - Day 7May 23 2007 - Day 8May 24 2007 - Day 9May 25 2007 - Day 10May 26 2007 - Day 11May 27, 2007 - Day 12May 28, 2007 - Day 13May 29, 2007 - Day 14May 30, 2007 - Day 15May 31, 2007 - Day 16June 1, 2007 - Day 17June 2 - 11, Day 18 - 27June 12, 2007 - Day 28June 13, 2007 - Day 29June 14, 2007 - Day 30June 15, 2007 - Day 31June 16, 2007 - Day 32June 17, 2007 - Day 33June 18, 2007 - Day 34June 19, 2007 - Day 35June 20, 2007 - Day 36June 21, 2007 - Day 37June 22, 2007 - Day 38June 23, 2007 - Day 39June 24, 2007 - Day 40June 25, 2007 - Day 41June 26, 2007 - Day 42June 27, 2007 - Day 43June 28, 2007 - Day 44June 29 2007 - Day 45June 30, 2007 - Day 46July 1 - 13, Day 47 - 58July 15, 2007 - Day 59
The last day; The river’s end