ALL HIKERS

DAY 6: MILE 186 TO MILE 246.5, SPENCER CANYON

     We eat, pack our gear, and get on the boat, ready for another great day.  With over sixty miles to go today, Carolyn really puts the hammer down. 

   
  Raft loaded and ready
5-3-2007 @ 7:24
 

     Our first stop is for lunch at a small creek.  We pass by the biggest variety of plants and flowers so far on the trip.

Cholla
5-3-2007 @ 11:10
Buckley's Centaury
5-3-2007 @ 11:16
Cardinal Monkeyflower
5-3-2007 @ 11:17
Bushy Beardgrass
5-3-2007 @ 12:16
Globemallow
5-3-2007 @ 12:19
Desert Larkspur
5-3-2007 @ 12:29

     We have to carry all the lunch supplies over the hill to the creek.  As usual, the lunch spread is great. 

Jake, Beth, and Ryan
5-3-2007 @ 11:22
The lunch spread
5-3-2007 @ 11:39

     After lunch we pass Diamond Creek at river mile 225, where many of the boats and most of the rafts take out.  We are going all the way to river mile 246 tonight.

Diamond Creek
5-3-2007 @ 1:56
Diamond Creek
5-3-2007 @ 1:56

     Our next stop is at Travertine Grotto.  This short hike takes us up to some very smooth and slick rocks to climb.  They are hard enough to scale when dry, but treacherous when wet.  To aid in the climb to the falls, the Hualapai Tribe put an individual rope and two different rope-ladders here.  Without those, this would be an accident waiting to happen.

First ladder climb
Travertine Grotto
5-3-2007 @ 2:33
Second ladder climb
Travertine Grotto
5-3-2007 @ 2:36
Waterfalls at
Travertine Grotto
5-3-2007 @ 2:39

     As we near our last campsite, those who want to try their hand get a chance to drive the boat.  More throttle, turn left, watch out for that rock!  Eeeek!!!  Actually everyone does pretty well.  We come to a buoy that marks the division line between Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Beth at the helm
5-3-2007 @ 4:29
Boundary line buoy
5-3-2007 @ 4:31
Ryan, Richard, and Beth
5-3-2007 @ 5:16

     Our last night's campsite is on a large beach at Spencer Canyon.  We meet two contractors hired by the Hualapai Tribe who are installing some irrigation piping and it also looks like the Tribe recently installed a new composting toilet here.  I find an unusual flower that looks to be near dead, but is still blooming.

   
  Linanthus
5-3-2007 @ 5:48
 

     This week has gone by fast.  Tomorrow morning the jet boat picks us up for the long ride to South Cove.  Supper tonight is Mexican food with fajitas and tamales. 

MAIN INDEX | HIKING INDEX | BACK TO DAY 5 | FORWARD TO DAY 7

Copyright © Richard M. Perry, 2004-2023.  All rights reserved. This web site, its text, and pictures may not be copied without the express written consent of Richard M. Perry.