Grand Canyon Rafting - Lees Ferry to Whitmore Wash
Overview
We begin our journey with our put-in at Lees Ferry, starting out in slow moving rapids, increasing each day in size and intensity until we meet up with the big whitewater below, including the infamous Crystal Rapid and Lava Falls. In between rapids, the slow moving water gives way for quiet moments of story telling, geologic and natural history, and pure tranquility. The canyon experience, however, is not just about whitewater. It's really all about the side canyons that trickle into the main canyon. This section combines the scenic wonders of the Upper Canyon's vibrant limestone cliffs, Anasazi ruins, Nautiloid fossils, stream-carved alcoves, and petroglyphs, with the Lower Canyon's crystalline waterfalls, fern-covered fairyland, layers of rock rising and falling, and turquoise pools. On the last morning of the trip, you board a helicopter for the rim and then on to Las Vegas via small plane.
O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon, Inc. is an authorized concessioner of Grand Canyon National Park.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Shuttle from our meeting point in Flagstaff, AZ, to our put-in below Glen Canyon Dam at Lees Ferry
- Enter Marble Canyon and within the first few miles of the trip we see the first signs of the fascinating geology of the canyon as the Kaibab and Toroweap formations make their appearance, followed by Coconino Sandstone
- Raft Badger and Soap Creek rapids before stopping to camp at a sandy beach
- As we float deeper into the canyon past Vasey’s Paradise we reach Redwall Cavern, a vast chamber in the canyon wall that Powell estimated would seat 50,000 people
- A hike to the ancient Native American granaries at Nankoweap rewards us with one of the best downriver views in the Grand Canyon
- The canyon begins to spread out in front of us as we encounter Tanner, Unkar, Nevills and the formidable Hance Rapid
- We reach some of the biggest whitewater in the canyon: Horn Creek, Granite and Hermit rapids
- On one of the biggest whitewater days in the canyon, on a stretch of river known as the “Jewels”, we encounter Crystal, Sapphire, Turquoise and Ruby rapids
- Enjoy a hike to the green haven of clear pools, lush moss and ferns at Elves Chasm
- View an excellent example of the geological phenomenon, the Great Unconformity, at Blacktail Canyon
- Enter the Middle Granite Gorge and a series of exciting rapids - 128 mile, Specter, Bedrock and Dubendorff
- Enter the Granite Narrows, the canyon’s narrowest point and visit Deer Creek Falls for a refreshing dip in the clear pool beneath the falls
- Hike the limestone chutes of Matkatamiba and the travertine pools and waterfalls of Havasu Canyon
- Nearing the end of our journey into the depths of the Grand Canyon, we raft the notorious Lava Falls
- Arriving at Whitmore Wash, we board a helicopter for a scenic flight out of the canyon. At the canyon rim, a plane meets you for a flight back to Las Vegas and a final farewell to The Canyon
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