Grand Canyon River show

Grand Canyon River

Summary: There is a certain group of visitors who seek a more intense journey into the core of the Grand Canyon, to be part of the dance of water on the Colorado River as it drops almost 2,000 feet on the way to Lake Mead. Running the river's length is surely one of the prime outdoor experiences available anywhere in the world. We hope that the information in these podcasts helps to answer some of the questions you may have about running the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. Look for our Podcasts in the iTunes Music Store

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  • Artist: National Park Service
  • Copyright: 2008 National Park Service

Podcasts:

 2) Water Temperature and Flow Variations | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 3:24

The extremely cold Colorado River water is one of the prime reasons for Grand Canyon’s life jacket regulation. Simply, if you are on your boat and it is not tied to the shore you will wear a properly fitted life jacket 100% of the time. At 47 degrees even in flat water you have about 5 to 10 minutes of muscle activity to rescue yourself. In ten minutes your muscles stop working and your chances of rescue are very poor. Updated 2011.

 3) Low Impact Camping | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 4:18

Because there are now so many of us, this video gives some low impact camping tips for Colorado River Trips within Grand Canyon National Park. (updated 2011)

 4) Personal Hygiene, Kitchen, Food/ Hydration | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 5:40

Personal Hygiene and River Illness How does one keep from getting sick when boating on the river for days at a time? Here are some simple tips that can help keep you healthy. Setting Up the Kitchen Learn some time-tested techniques for setting up a River Kitchen - the center of every successful trip. Food and Hydration Food is your body's primary source of fuel and salts (electrolytes) while experiencing the heat within the Grand Canyon. Eat a salty snack every time you take a drink. Updated 2011.

 5) Accidents - What To Do ? | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 3:37

Learn the single greatest cause of accidents in the Grand Canyon Backcounty. What do you do if it is an emergency and you need help? Updated 2011.

 6) Grand Canyon Wildlife | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 2:11

What do you do when you encounter rattlesnakes and scorpions on a river or backpack trip through Grand Canyon National Park? Also, how to deal with pesky critters in the backcountry and in camp. Updated 2011.

 7) Restricted Areas (Archeological, Ecological) | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 5:36

What sensitive locations along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park are restricted to all visitors - be they boaters or hikers? Updated 2011.

 9) Conclusion - Program Credits | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 2:37

This video summarizes the reasons why a trip down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park is a unique experience and how preparation really pays off. Updated 2011.

 10) Diamond Creek to Lake Mead | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 4:01

Updated by NPS in 2011. Includes Pearce Ferry Rapid and take-out ramp. Updated information to help plan river trip through the "lower end" of the canyon between Diamond Creek and Lake Mead. Noncommercial trips that launch from Diamond Creek and takeout at Lake Mead typically are 2 to 5 days in length. Permits for these whitewater trips are available to the public starting one year in advance and are distributed on a first-come first-served basis. Learn more here: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm

 Audio: Lees Ferry’s Private Boater’s Campsite Rehabilitated by Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association and NPS Staff. | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 3:54

In early February, 2010, five volunteers from Grand Canyon’s private boating community worked side-by-side with Grand Canyon National Park staff to improve the private boater camp at Lees Ferry. Crews defined camping pads, constructed trail and built fencing to define the parking area. The goal of the work was reduce human impacts to the area’s riparian vegetation and to enlarge the camp to accommodate two groups at a time. The project also was an opportunity for members of the private boating community to get to know park staff in an informal environment. http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/cynsk-v17.htm

 Video: Lees Ferry’s Private Boater’s Campsite Rehabilitated by Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association and NPS Staff. | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 3:54

In early February, five volunteers from Grand Canyon’s private boating community worked side-by-side with Grand Canyon National Park staff to improve the private boater camp at Lees Ferry. Crews defined camping pads, constructed trail and built fencing to define the parking area. The goal of the work was reduce human impacts to the area’s riparian vegetation and to enlarge the camp to accommodate two groups at a time. The project also was an opportunity for members of the private boating community to get to know park staff in an informal environment. http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/cynsk-v17.htm

 Native American Perspectives (audio) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 5:40

Loretta Jackson-Kelly of the Hualapai Tribe, Roland Manakaja of the Havasupai Tribe and Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma of the Hopi Tribe, talk about the significance of the Grand Canyon and ask boaters to treat what has been created with respect.

 11) Native American Perspectives | File Type: video/mp4 | Duration: 5:40

Loretta Jackson-Kelly of the Hualapai Tribe, Roland Manakaja of the Havasupai Tribe and Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma of the Hopi Tribe, talk about the significance of the Grand Canyon and ask boaters to treat what has been created with respect.

 14) Native American Perspectives | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 5:40

Loretta Jackson-Kelly of the Hualapai Tribe, Roland Manakaja of the Havasupai Tribe and Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma of the Hopi Tribe, talk about the significance of the Grand Canyon and ask boaters to treat what has been created with respect.

 12) Diamond Creek to Lake Mead | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 3:27

When traveling the lower canyon, from Diamond Creek to Lake Mead, there are a few things to consider. This short section of the video will go over a few additional details for this part of the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The first thing you may notice about this lower section is that campsites are pretty limited. Many of the sites are heavily overgrown, eroded, or have very high banks. Camp sharing may be more frequent down here. Remember that no camping is allowed within the Columbine Falls Cove area. You may run into shallow water and sandbars from river mile 248 at Surprise Canyon all the way to the takeout, so keeping an eye out for those can save you a lot of hassle. Sandbars aren't the only collision risk down here. You may encounter speed boats traveling upstream from Lake Mead. To reduce any potential for collision, try to keep your boats close together. For those of you who choose to night float through the Lower Granite Gorge, if your trip doesn’t have a motor, you must have someone ready to signal oncoming boats with a flashlight. If your trip has a motor, you must have United States Coast Guard approved navigational lights displayed. When conditions allow, you may take out at Pearce Ferry. The area can often be muddy and hot, especially in the summer. Its best to take out and de-rig early in the morning. Consolidate your gear because there may be several other trips de-rigging at the same time. Pearce Ferry has the following facilities: pit toilets, a small campground, and emergency telephone. (CG) When conditions don't allow for takeouts at Pearce Ferry, your next option is to go to South Cove. Its another 17 miles of travel on the water. When you get onto Lake Mead, it becomes readily apparent that travel across the lake is easier with a small outboard motor. The lake has a 10-15 mph wind which makes rowing or paddling more difficult. During storms, try to seek shelter in coves. The takeout area at South Cove is designated by signs and is now adjacent to the concrete launch ramp. The area is compacted rock and gravel and has a limited amount of space. Again, its best to try to take out and de-rig as early in the morning as possible. Trips must consolidate their gear during the take-out and de-rigging process. South Cove has the following facilities: paved road and parking area, pit toilets, and emergency telephone. No Camping is allowed within the harbor or parking areas of South Cove. The SCAT machine is often available on Pearce Ferry road about 10 miles away from Pearce Ferry or South Cove. This machine will clean river toilet systems that use 20 - 30 mm rocket boxes. There's a regular dump station there for other toilet system cleaning. The SCAT machine is closed from November through March. Other than the SCAT machine, and toilet dump station which are reserved for SCAT, There are no dumping facilities for river trip garbage. These are just a few reminders for the lower section of the canyon. It is a bit more rugged, but has its own character, and far less visitation than the upper section. As is the case anywhere in Grand Canyon its best not to make assumptions but expect surprises. Enjoy your trip.

 11) Conclusion - Program Credits | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 3:05

Most trips end at Diamond Creek on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Diamond creek can become very congested if several trips are de-rigging at the same time, so try to keep your equipment consolidated. The best time to arrive is after 9:30 A.M. You should plan your take out for early in the day as diamond creek and diamond creek road are one in the ‘same. Flash floods do occur, and the road may close for days. Planning, rules, regulations, that's not primarily what you came here for, but they are important for your comfort and safety as well as for the preservation of this unique resource. Following these basic guidelines has helped us all minimize our collective footprint on the river corridor. There’s no practical need for people to travel the river through the Grand Canyon. You could drive a car to both ends. It's all about the journey. It’s the intangible rewards of doing it, the personal challenge and excitement of it that brings people here and that’s important to remember. No matter who you meet down here, we’re all in it for similar reasons. This experience is powerful because it takes us outside the pattern of our daily lives and creates a feeling of renewal, discovery, achievement. Its one of the key benefits of the national park. Once you’ve run a boat through here you’ll understand why people are held in its trance until they return again. Thanks for helping us keep that experience alive. If you have any questions, you’ll find many of the answers on the other sections of this DVD and on our website. Thanks for listening and enjoy your trip.

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