Breakfast this morning is scrambled eggs. 

The morning breakfast line 5-6-2026

The morning breakfast line 5-6-2026

     After breakfast everyone packs their gear and loads the boat.  We push off at 7:20.

Gear being packed 5-6-2026

Gear being packed 5-6-2026

The boat is loaded 5-6-2026

     We motor down River and pretty soon come to the Kaibab Suspension Bridge built in 1928.  It is often called "The Black Bridge."  Click here to read a detailed article on the history behind the Kaibab Suspension Bridge.

Approaching the Kaibab Suspension Bridge 5-6-2026

Approaching the Kaibab Suspension Bridge 5-6-2026

Approaching the Kaibab Suspension Bridge 5-6-2026

     We pull into the Phantom Ranch beach area for rafts.  Cliff is going to use their water faucet to fill our water containers.  There is a lot of construction going on there and on the water line.  Unfortunately for us, the water has been turned off to the beach faucet.  Our crew filters water for the rest of the trip.

Parked at Phantom Ranch 5-6-2026

Parked at Phantom Ranch 5-6-2026

     Darn it, and I was really wanting to go over to Phantom Ranch and send some of my friends a post card with their famous red stamp ("Mailed by mule at the bottom of the Grand Canyon - Phantom Ranch."

Phantom Ranch post card symbol 5-6-2026

     After we pull out, I give the raft members a short history lesson on Phantom Ranch, the Kaibab Suspension Bridge, and the Silver Suspension Bridge.  We then motor around to Pipe Creek, mile 89.5, and tie up at the bank around 8:30.  Six of the passengers are hiking out at this point.  Cliff is going with them until they meet the guide coming down with any new raft members.  There is a lot of pipeline work going on here.

Pipe Cfeek 5-6-2026

Pipeline work at Pipe Creek 5-6-2026

Pipeline work at Pipe Creek 5-6-2026

     Cliff is gone a long time and does not return until 11:30.  We soon shoot Horn Creek Rapid, which is tough, and get stuck on a rock for a while.  We stop for lunch at Trinity Creek, mile 92, and have bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches.  We leave Trinity Creek at 1:20.  In a little while we shoot Crystal Rapids, mile 99, one of the toughest rapids in the Canyon.  Bec makes it look easy, but our prop has sustained some minor damage, so Bec changes it out with a new one.

Damaged prop 5-6-2026

     We motor our way through the Gems and make camp at Hotauta Canyon near mile 109.  Supper tonight is pork chops, grits, salad, and brussel sprouts.
 

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