292 Days to Go - Unkar Delta

Unkar Rapid, Class 6 (out of 10) dropping 25 ft

TL Report: Ooops, sorry guys I gave you the wrong date for the final trip balance. I said last week that it was January 1st, but it is really January 15th. Sorry for any confusion! and Whew! I did fine on my first Patho exam, so I have a moment to catch up the blog.

Furnace Flats

Mileage This Week: River Mile 71-73. As we leave Marble Canyon, we'll enter into Grand Canyon, and the very first thing you realize is wow, it's now seriously HOT. Grand Canyon is much wider than the narrow walls of Marble. This first section is appropriately named Furnace Flats (left). This is an active archaeological dig so there is no visitation on river right from river mile 71.5 to 72.

Cardenas ruins overlooking Unkar Delta

Just across the river from the start of Furnace Flats is Cardenas Camp. We will probably be doing a side hike here up to an overlook of the Unkar Delta which we will pass further downriver at river mile 73. There are some intact ruins at the top of the overlook. The structure (right) was discovered by the Stanton Expedition in 1890 and they think it might have been a watchtower. It stands 6 ft tall and has rectangular slots at the top for shooting arrows.

Unkar Delta from the North

Once we arrive at the Cardenas ruins we can see the Unkar Delta. This is an expansive archaeological site with many building foundations and pottery shards. It was extensively inhabited between 850AD to 1350AD. While we are allowed - and even encouraged - to stop here and check out the site, it is phenomenally HOT. I am not inclined to spend any time here due to the lack on shade. If it's overcast, and the tribe is up for it, we can reconsider a visit. 

Just before passing Unkar Delta we will run Unkar Rapid (see photo at very top) Here's a video of a paddle raft running Unkar.  Hey, this brings up a point, is anyone interested in taking along a paddle raft?

GC History: Cardenas Camp is named for Don Garcia Lopez de Cardenas, who was the first non Indian to see the GC in 1540. Here's what George Simmons in Canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers has to say,

"In August 1540, Pedro de Tovar returned from an expedition to what are now called the Hopi Pueblos and reported that the Indians had told him of a great river to the west. The Spaniards sent Cardenas to investigate, and in Sept, they reached the Grand Canyon at this vicinity Three days were spent in trying to reach the bottom of the canyon, and the three men who attempted it only reached one third of the way down. The Indian guide knew the way, but did not inform the explorers."

Equipment/Info/Camp Check: If you are interested in a book on the Unkar Delta and the Pueblean Indians who occupied it for over 500 years, check the book on the left out at Amazon.



Next Deadline: Final trip balance is due January 15th. If your trip status changes at anytime (ie, need to do a half instead of a whole trip), please let me know as soon as possible so we can fill your ½ space. This will lower your cost.