Fishing Frenzy

White water rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is an adventure that relatively few will ever get to enjoy, though it has to be considered one of the world's most exciting adventures on many levels. Apart from the thrilling rapids (which, it should be noted, are widely thought of as among the best in the world), the camaraderie of the group, 277 miles of scenery, geology, and archeology that one can experience from the raft or during the many day hikes through side canyons are endlessly fascinating. Put all of these things together and you have a vacation that you and your friends and family will never forget.

The best prospects for getting to take one of these epic journeys is to book a trip with a commercial white water rafting outfitter licensed to guide tours of the canyon. For those who wish to raft without guides, the only option is to enter the lottery and hope that your name with be selected.

The geological history is something that one can see in the very observable strata of the canyon walls, which really gives the viewer the sense of the millions of years it took to form the canyon. The visible layers of rock tell nothing less than the story of the earth's history and formation for the last billion years or so. Several different layers of limestone and shale are visible in the upper layers, with sandstone and granite below. The canyon's geological formations are of such relevance that geologists from all over the world visit every year to examine them. The canyon's depth and visible strata make it one of the most recognized locations on the planet to access those billions-of-years-old layers, and the exposed rock has led to many noteworthy scientific discoveries throughout the years. Nevertheless, with all this history visible, scientists and geologists still debate over exactly how the canyon itself was formed.

Human and animal records are also here in abundance. There are places on the canyon's rims where fossilized dinosaur footprints have been observed, documenting that they once roamed this landscape; and there are many other types and tiers of fossils from just about every geologic period to be found as well. Day hikes to amazingly well-preserved ruins from ancient tribes such as the Anasazi are part of most multiple-day Colorado River raft trips, and there are also numerous sites where you are able to see preserved rock art from these primitive peoples.

The Grand Canyon includes an amazing panorama of buttes and spires surrounding the central canyon that the river etched. You can find unknown numbers of side canyons that should probably not be attempted by unskilled hikers or those without guides, as people do get lost in the canyon every year.

For rafters, most day hikes are not too difficult, and relief from the summer heat is easily at hand in the cool waters of the river. Rafters will enjoy other renowned points of interest that few others will even have the ability to see, including famous rapids such as Lava Falls, Granite, and Hermit. Your Colorado River rafting guides are there to see to your well being, while spoiling you along the way. They are skilled and knowledgeable in the ways of the river and the canyon, know the history of the area very well, and love to share both historical fact and stories to amuse you on the trip.

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