The Grand Canyon of the Colorado is one of the most spectacular places a river journey can take you. The Colorado snakes through 280 miles of this magnificent natural wonder of the world and the last flowing section of the Colorado runs through the Grand Canyon.
The journey begins a few miles below the Glen Canyon Dam and ends in Lake Mead created by the Hoover Dam.
In between is a natural beauty of geologic formations on a scale that is almost incomprehensible. The magic of the Southwestern desert drapes over the canyon walls and into the river canyon 7,000 feet below the rim.
Side canyons, cut by tributaries, entering the canyon go miles back into a labyrinth of rock, twisting and turning, contorted and carved by time and water. The canyon is also a glimpse into the history of the planet. A cross section of the earth’s crust a mile and a half deep gives a powerful glimpse into the formation of the planet.
Rock layers spanning billions of years rise up from the river. Various formations of Shale, Sandstone, Limestone, Basalt, Granite, and Schist all layer together in a visual display telling the story of the geologic history of the planet. As the river cuts through these layers it gives ample time to appreciate each of these layers of rock and the stories they tell. As the journey continues and the river cuts deeper into the canyon, layers of rock once at river level can now be seen on the canyon walls hundreds of feet above.
This would be my fourth trip through these walls of the Grand Canyon and by far the fastest. A self-support kayaking trip of this length (nine days) is always a fun challenge and the cool temperatures and variable weather of a winter trip makes it even more interesting.
Precise planning and packing is an important part of a successful trip. The art is in bringing just the right amount of food and gear without over-packing and then, fitting it all into the kayak in a way that balances the boat. This, combined with the logistics surrounding getting to the river and back again, makes this journey unique and challenging in all the right ways.
With the whitewater being quite manageable compared to many of the rivers we are used to, this journey becomes more about lifestyle and scenery than the whitewater......
.....although the whitewater is a great bonus!
We pushed off for our journey just after Christmas at Lees Ferry.
A trip through the Grand Canyon is a once in a lifetime experience.... every time you do it..... and I had been through the river enough times to know that this trip would hold many uncertain adventures, twists and turns.
Snow capped the rim, and light rain sprinkled down as we began the trip.
Clouds, below the rim of the canyon, seemed to add the perfect contrast to the red canyon walls. It felt like the canyon had come alive! The moisture of the winter had painted the desert green, with small waterfalls trickling off the cliffs all around us.
It felt good to finally be moving, everything we would need for the next 10 days now contained in our boats.
The canyon has this amazing ability to turn time. Hours and days seem to disappear and our general conception of time got lost in the rhythm of the day and the pace of the river. Life simplifies greatly and allows for ample time to enjoy the little things, all the concerns and worries of life above the rim grow further from mind with every twist and turn in the canyon.
The constantly changing sea of rocks stretches the mind to try and comprehend this immense scale, while attempting to listen and feel the stories they hold.
It’s a journey of awe and beauty. A journey of re connection and disconnection all at the same time.
Days begin to blur and blend together, rapids propelling us deeper into the canyon. Every once in a while we would pass another trip winding through this passage of rock and stop to chat, share a beer, and then continue on our way. I’m constantly amazed by this community of river people everywhere I find them, their kindness, generosity, and lighthearted playful manner warm the soul.
It was a blissful journey to again travel this river, sharing the journey with new friends, and finding even more along the way. I feel it’s important to experience and appreciate places like this, finding full reverence of the natural world, and the history which shaped it.
Tyler Bradt
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A Oaxaca City Mole, Mezcal and Paragliding Tour with Tyler Bradt
Photos: Paul Duffy & Casey Sande
© 2026 KAVU
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