Reflections in a limestone canyon, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Between the rim and the river in Grand Canyon lies a vast wilderness. A few trails traverse this region, but most of it is trail-less, and seldom visited by people. This immense, empty land contains innumerable side canyons filled with treasures to discover: waterfalls, narrow, twisting slots, fern-filled grottos, Ancestral Pueblo ruins, rock art, sculptured rock terraces, and on and on.
The easiest way to access many of these side canyons is from the river, and we got to visit some of them on our journey down the Grand Canyon in April. I wish we’d had time to explore each and every side canyon, but of course that’s not possible on a ten-day trip. In the winter of 1976 a party of six people set off from Lee’s Ferry, and pulled out 103 days later – the longest Grand Canyon rafting trip ever, as far as we know. That’s enough time to truly immerse yourself – to explore as many side canyons as you want, or just relax and enjoy a spot for awhile. I’d love to do something like that (though unfortunately the Park Service doesn’t allow trips of that length anymore).
For me, visiting some of these side canyons added immensely to the experience of rafting down the Grand Canyon. Walking even a short distance up any side canyon was like entering a different world, as you moved away from the vast main canyon, and the roar of the Colorado River, into a quiet, enclosed, more intimate space. As the sound of the river diminished you might hear the tinkling of a small stream, or the croaking of frogs. Moving around a bend often brought a new surpsise: light bouncing off the canyon walls, a patch of hanging ferns, a seep with scarlet monkeyflowers, a reflecting pool, maybe even a small waterfall.
Sometimes the exploration came to an end at a waterfall or dryfall that couldn’t be climbed or bypassed. But no problem; time to more thoroughly explore the places you just passed.
Though we visited some beautiful side canyons, there are so many more I’d like to explore. I’ll just have to go back. 🙂
— Michael Frye
Small waterfall in a side canyon, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Vishnu schist, Upper Granite Gorge, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Reflections in the Little Colorado River, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Canyon walls, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Petroglyphs near the Colorado River, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Cascades and mokeyflowers in a limestone canyon, Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
Related Posts: River Light; Views From the Canyon
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Thanks, Michael, what a thrill it must have been to explore these side canyons and discover their beautiful features. These images as simply stunning.
Thanks so much Bob! It was a thrill indeed.
I hope this becomes a regular trip, love to see more. Wonderful photos in every way. Color balance especially.
Best wishes
Len
Thanks so much Len! I will be going back down the Grand Canyon in 2024 (once again co-leading a photography trip with Jerry Dodrill for Visionary Wild). So I’m really looking forward to that!
Beautiful and mesmerizing images of a hidden world. Just amazing. Thanks for sharing!
This is just an unbelievable set of images Michael, I am dying to take a raft trip now!
Thanks so much David, and I really hope you get to do that! The photo opportunities are wonderful, but the whole experience is even better.
Your desire to visit the side canyons and the NPS limitations on trip length reminded me of this book: “The Man Who Walked Through Time: The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through the Grand Canyon” by Colin Fletcher (not the UFC fighter!) In 1963, Fletcher walked across the Grand Canyon in a 51 day backpacking journey. His route avoided the Colorado River for the obstacle it posed but even then he had to swim across it several times. You might find it an interesting read before you go back to the Grand Canyon.
Thanks Don. I read Fletcher’s book a long time ago, but it’s probably time I read it again.
Jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring work. Thanks for such a beautiful virtual tour. And congrats on your NANPA award!
Thanks so much John!