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Arizona Raft Adventures |
800-786-7238 |
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Arizona River Runners |
800-477-7238 |
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Canyon Expeditions |
800-654-0723 |
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Canyoneers |
800-525-0924 |
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Colorado River & Trail Expeditions |
800-253-7328 |
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Grand Canyon Dories |
800-877-3679 |
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Grand Canyon Expeditions Company |
800-544-2691 |
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Moki Mac River Expeditions |
800-284-7280 |
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Outdoors Unlimited |
800-637-7238 |
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Tour West Whitewater Adventures |
800-453-9107 |
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Western River Expeditions |
800-453-7450 |
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Worldwide Explorations |
800-272-3353 |
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O.A.R.S. |
800-346-6277 |
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Diamond River Adventures |
800-343-3121 |
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ARAMARK/Wilderness River Adventures |
800-992-8022 |
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High Desert Adventures |
800-673-1733 |
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Ted Hatch River Expeditions |
800-433-8966 |
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| Sections |
Lee's
Ferry to Diamond Creek or Lake Mead |
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Location |
Marble Canyon National
Monument and Grand Canyon National Park, northern Arizona |
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Driving Time |
Phoenix—4.5
hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
II-V |
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Trip Length |
87
to 225 miles (139-360 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft, motorized raft, dory; four to eighteen days |
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Season |
April-October |
Little has changed in the
century and a quarter since John Wesley Powell and his brave and
adventurous explorer companions first floated the incredible Grand
Canyon. Its sandstone and basalt canyon walls render the same red,
yellow, black, and brown hues; its turbulent waters, while less
silt-laden because of the hydro-electric dams, are just as thrilling
and exciting.
Between
the placid waters of Lakes Powell and Mead, the Grand Canyon has
more than 200 exciting and wild Class II, III, IV, and V rapids. Its
powerful and technical Lava Falls and Crystal rapids, rated two of
the finest whitewater drops anywhere, capture the imagination of
rafters and guides long before and after every river trip.
A
Grand Canyon rafting experience includes much more than plunging
through its rapids. On most trips only about four to five hours a
day are spent on the river. Equal or greater time is available for
exploring the beauty and fascination of its colorful side canyons.
Stops of varying length normally include the famous Vasey's
Paradise, Redwall Cavern, Unkar Indian Ruins, the mouth of the
Little Colorado, Shinumo Creek, Elves Chasm, Deer Creek Falls,
Havasu Creek, and Fern Glen Grotto. While rafting and hiking, there
is time for quiet meditation and for contemplating the magnificent
canyon's rock formations, flora, and fauna.
Perhaps
the most important decisions regarding the Grand Canyon adventure
occur months before the rafting trip begins. Rafters must choose
between oar and motorized rafts and between trips ranging from as
few as four to as many as eighteen days. The classic Grand Canyon
rafting trip is the seven- to thirteen-day 225-mile (360-km) trip
from Lee's Ferry, near Page, Arizona, to Diamond Creek, below the
Havasu Indian Reservation. Shorter trips may be run on either the
upper or lower canyon sections. The 87-mile (139 km) upper trip from
Lees Ferry to the Phantom Ranch requires a strenuous 9-mile (14-km)
hike out to the Canyon's south rim. The 138-mile (221-km) trip from
Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek requires the same trek—but
fortunately in the downhill direction.
Commercial
rafting trips through the Grand Canyon are normally run from early
April until late October. Camping is required on all trips. The
spring and fall months have comfortable daytime temperatures, but
nighttime temperatures can drop into the forties or lower. Wet suits
are normally worn during most trips.
Rafting
the Grand Canyon ranks as one of the world’s truly outstanding
wilderness experiences. The National Park Service, which regulates
outfitters and launch dates, says approximately 20,000 customers are
accommodated by the park’s licensed outfitters. Few of these
outfitters have difficulty filling all of their allotted spaces for
each launch permit. A significant percentage of rafting customers
come from as far away as Germany, France, Great Britain, Australia,
and Canada. Little wonder that reservations a year or more in
advance are recommended.
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