The Upper Grand Canyon (Lee's Ferry)

5-6 Day Trip from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch

This 5- or 6-day trip of the upper Grand Canyon will cover the 88 miles by river from Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch and the ascent to the South Rim. The night before the trip begins we meet you for an orientation meeting at Marble Canyon Lodge. Overnight accommodations are recommended and can be arranged by OU. The trip leaves Lees Ferry and floats into Marble Canyon named in 1869 by its first explorer, Major John Wesley Powell. It's polished limestone, layered with bands of sandstones and siltstones rises dramatically above the river with each mile passed, soaring thousands of feet to the rim. This same seemingly impervious limestone has allowed the river to scoop out the huge expanse of Red Wall Cavern at the river's edge, one of the many attractions in this stretch.

Underground springs gush from the fern-covered rock at Vasey's Paradise and side streams carve bowl-like pools at Silver Grotto, Saddle, and North Canyons. Nautilus fossils are readily viewed in the streambed of Nautiloid Canyon and ancient Anasazi granaries await the hiker high above the river at Nankoweap. Prehistoric Native American sites are spread throughout the Canyon and this section features many of the larger sites found along the river.

The sequence of rapids through this 88-mile float couldn't be better orchestrated. Beginning with the medium sized (Canyon Scale!) Badger, House Rock and Unkar rapids, the crescendo begins with Nevills rapid then builds quickly with Hance (the longest) and Sockdolager. Amplified by the imposing walls of the Upper Granite Gorge the grand finale hits its high notes at Grapevine and Zoroaster rapids, and the last few miles finish with a quiet serenade.

The final destination point for the river portion of this trip is the Pipe Creek Beach, one mile below Phantom Ranch, where the Bright Angel Trail meets the river. Upon arrival we will provide a hikers lunch for you to pack as you prepare for the hike out on the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim. (See "Hiking the Bright Angel Trail").

Start planning your Upper Grand Canyon Rafting Trip today by visiting Trip Dates & Rates or calling 1-800-637-RAFT.