Toroweap Overlook

jstaffon wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Nice video. Now you have to raft the Canyon through that area! We did!!

That would be awesome. If you noted in the video, I had a few seconds on Lava Falls. That is supposedly one of the biggest rapids on the river. It looked like it was about a mile or two downstream from the overlook. I'll have to add that to my bucket list.

Yep.... we went through Lava Falls but our paddle boat was upset in Upset Rapids! Everyone was flipped out like popcorn. The six of us and the guide didn't have enough momentum to get over the wave - estimated to be 25' high... got halfway up and flipped. House-size boulders down below - life vests really do work! (The river reaches a depth of 85' in some areas.) We all eventually got in the boat minus a few paddles and succeeded the second time. The oar boats going through it first had been beached waiting for us to come through so the guide got the whole thing on video and gave us all a copy afterwards. Memories. Each day we had a choice of doing the paddle boat with everyone paddling with a guide or being in the oar boat where the guide oared. From then on we chose the oar boat.

We were on the second trip of the season in May and the river had a strong flow from just released water at the dam. It was crystal clear because we weren't in the rainy season where the water would come from the side creeks and muddy the river. I would highly recommend this trip. It was awesome and the guides very information on the geology and river itself. Many good stories and excellent food during the 136-mile trip. We were issued tents but only used them the first night. Thereafter - under the stars. To begin the 9-day tour we hiked down the Bright Angel Trail and took the place of those who began upstream at Lee's Ferry and they had to hiked up the trail to get out.

Sorry for getting carried away - it was just a fantastic experience.