The Grand Time

Tom's Journal

June 23, 2007 - Day 39

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This was the first full day I rowed a raft and Steve was kind (and/or crazy) enough to ride with me. We shoved off at about 8:20 and were treated to many exhibitions of kayaking skill and daring courtesy of Mason and Spencer.

About ten miles along, we came upon a rapid called Specter. I remember it because I got knocked over in it on a previous trip. As we entered it, we could see glimpses of the boys (Mason and Spencer) surfing in its waves and holes. In typical Lacy fashion, their father Gary quipped that they like to play “in-specter”.

The toughest rapid of the day was Dubendorff, which we scouted before entering. Steve and I did fine through it-as did everyone-and we stopped for lunch and a quick hike up Stone Creek where there is a warm beautiful waterfall. You can stand under the water and get an amazing massage just by moving around in it.

Four miles and a few rapids farther along, we came to Deer Creek. This is one of the most photographed spots in the canyon because a large amount of water falls almost 200 feet and it is visible from the river. We hiked the hot trail to get into upper Deer Creek Canyon and were rewarded with seemingly air-conditioned comfort and glimpses of the creek far below us in a twisting turning slot canyon. At one point we could see Gary and Mason at least 70 feet almost directly below us.

The boundless beauty of this unique place was not lost on indigenous people who used to inhabit it; there is a rock panel with outlines of over fifty hands of all sizes on it.

It was getting late-after 4 pm-and we reluctantly were on our way once again.

We decided that since we had stayed last night at Blacktail, we should high tail it to Fishtail, which is what we did and where we stayed, eight tired tails having arrived there at 6 pm.

It was a nineteen mile day and we were thrilled by not only the ever-changing scenery, but also the large desert bighorn ram who felt made his way to the river for a drink right through this small seldom-used campsite.

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Mile by Mile Photos

June 23, 2007 - Day 39
Mile 790 through Mile 808

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