138 Days To Go - Deer Creek

The beautiful Deer Creek Falls



TL Report: GC tribe, you should all have received emails this week. Some trip housekeeping:

1. Dinero final is due Tuesday, Feb 15th. I am paying off the trip and permit soon after.
2. I need your ID info. Take a look at the ID you are going to have with you at Lee's and then send me name/address/DOB from the ID (what I send to the NPS must match your ID to go on the river) as well as your telephone number.
3. Make hotel reservations in Flagstaff for the end of the trip (everyone but Kathy, Don and Gus).  We have two options. My family is staying at the funky Hotel Monte Vista  downtown. It's close to everything, historic, and is supposed to have resident ghosts! Call for reservations 928-779-6971 and ask for a room on the 4th floor (which is where everyone will be). Rooms are $110 to $120. Option 2 is the Days Inn  (928-779-1575) near Moenkopi Riverworks. It's less expensive (around $50/room) and seems perfectly nice. Either way, be sure to make a reservation for Saturday July 16th, and tell them that we will be on the river for several weeks prior to check in without cell phone contact.
4. I reviewed the trip menu ingredient list and tweaked it here and there. I ran it by Bill who has outfitted a gazillion adventure travel trips and he approved it. It has been resubmitted to MOE. See the menu with ingredient list here or check out the link to the right

Mileage This Week: River Mile 136-139. At River mile 136.9 we'll stop and hike up Deer Creek, my absolute favorite hike on the river. This site, like Elves Chasm and Redwall Cavern is so stunning, that it deserves a ton of photos, so here is a photo journey of this amazing spot in GC.





 






Deer Creek Falls pours almost directly into the main river. This stunning 100ft waterfall seems to come straight out of the Tapeats Sandstone (left and top of blog).

After playing around in the waterfall, we will hike up to the top of the falls and check out the AMAZING view of the Colorado River. One of my favorite pictures of my friend Elaine and I was taken here in 1995. It didn't scan well so you're off the hook, Elaine.

The Colorado looking upstream from the top of Deer Creek Falls

 

At the top of the waterfall we can look back down at our tiny rafts tied up back at the river (above). Then continue of to explore this narrow slot canyon with it's 6 in wide trails (at times), amazing pictoglyths, and incredible scenic beauty.

Some of the narrow paths in Deer Creek



Hand Pictogyths. It is said that jumping the slot canyon gave young Indians
the right to put the imprints of their hands on the canyon's wall.



                                       
At river mile 138.4, well run Doris Rapid, a fun short rapid with big waves. Class 4 (out of 10), a 5 ft drop. At river mile 139.7, we'll run Fishtail , class 4 (out of 10), a 10 ft drop. This is a read and run rapid.




A kayaker flushes out of bottom of a hole in Fishtail Rapid.








GC History: Here's what Major Powell had to say about Deer Creek:

"Just after dinner we pass a stream on the right, which leaps into the Colorado by a direct fall of more than 100 feet, forming a beautiful cascade. On the rocks in the cavelike chamber are ferns with delicate fronds and enameled stalks."                   

                                                - Powell Report, August 2, 1869

Equipment/Camp/Info Check: Flash Flooding

The Deer Creek "patio" flashing

We will be on the river during Monsoon season (July-Aug) which means we have to be careful when hiking side canyons due to the risk of flash flooding. 

Deer Creek Flashing

Deer Creek Flashing

Since the Canyon is basically located in a desert, It may be odd to consider how water can have such a profound impact on it's make up. Basically, the soil in the Grand Canyon is baked by the sun it tends to become very hard and cannot absorb water when it rains. And usually when it does rain, the water tends to come down in torrents which only adds to the problem. The plants that grow in the Grand Canyon tend to have very shallow root systems so that they can grab as much water as possible on those rare occasions when it does rain. Unfortunately these root systems do nothing to deter erosion by holding the soil in place. Now you've got lots of water, no place for it to go, but down to the Colorado River, and nothing holding the soil and rock in place. The result is frequently a flash flood roaring down a side canyon that can move boulders the size of automobiles, buses and even small houses. This mass that moves down a side canyon during a flash flood is more like a fast flowing concrete than water and it can be very dangerous. You should always be well informed of weather conditions when you are hiking through side canyons in the Grand Canyon.

As trip leader (aka Safety Dictator) I reserve the right to veto any hike I consider too risky with the present weather conditions. That being said, if the group does decide to go on a hike, it is up to you to decide whether to hike or not, taking into account your physical state and the current weather conditions (thunder, rain, clouds on the horizon, etc). Let's all Hike Smart!

$$ Deadline: Final trip balance is due February 15th.