Typical Green in the Fall, continued...
DAY 1...continued
Geology -
One of the interesting facets of the river is watching the different rock formations grow out of the water. One day a formation will be barely exposed at the water line. The next day it will be towering overhead. During this day the river sits on the White Rim Sandstone. At the waters edge is the Moenkopi Formation which has the Chinle Formation on top of it. Both of these have talus slopes and huge slabs of rock on top of them. Above these formations is the very tall Wingate Sandstone which usually keeps anyone from climbing up from or down to the river. The Wingate is usually around 200 - 400 feet tall.
Activities along this stretch -
The first hour we get our sea legs under us. Then we learn how to relax and float on the river. We can swim, float, or daydream the hours away. This stretch will yield a few good echos along the cliffs. Once we establish camp at Horsethief Canyon, we will explore the canyon. We will look for petroglyphs and explore the climb to the top of the canyon. In the evening we will establish a perch, over-looking the river and scenery for our first wine and popcorn sunset.
DAY 2
We will travel about 12 miles and stop at Millard Canyon, mile marker 33.5. At low river level, the mouth of this canyon provides the only resemblance of rapids on this stretch of water. From this spot we will be able to see the Buttes of the Cross. In 1869 John W. Powell first spotted this landmark. "Off to the south we see a butte in the form of a fallen cross. It is several miles away, but it presents no inconspicuous figure on the landscape and must be many hundreds feet high, probably more than 2,000. We note its position on our map and name it 'Butte of the Cross'." The cross is actually two buttes, one in front of the other. We will see them both later on the trip. To our left, high on a ridge, a masonry tower looms over Fort Bottom. The tower and other Indian ruins are thought to be Anasazi.
Geology -
The rock formations we saw near the river yesterday get taller today. Same formation types as yesterday. Near m.m. 37, the White Rim Sandstone emerges from the water. About a mile past this point, in a bend on the left and southeast side of the river, interesting crossbeds in the White Rim Sandstone represent preserved sand dunes.
Activities along this stretch -
Swimming and floating are on top of our list today. Around m.m. 40.5 we will stop and explore Fort Bottom. This spot has a very old cabin and some Anasazi Indian ruins to explore. We will make camp near the south shore across from the Tower.
