Grand Canyon Snowstorm Winter 2010
Phantom Ranch Mule Ride – Kelli Millican
Grand Canyon Summer Monsoon 2008 – Mike Buchheit
Grand Canyon Winter 2008 – Mike Buchheit
Grand Canyon River Trip – Mike Buchheit
Just back from a nine-day whitewater rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, I find myself struggling to readjust to the “real” world. Along with twenty-three others I participated in a Grand Canyon Field Institute-sponsored, oar-powered trip from the Phantom Ranch Boat Beach, to Diamond Creek.
This one hundred-plus stretch of the fabled chasm features enormous rapids, remarkable side canyons, towering waterfalls, peculiar wildlife, and sandy beaches.
Indeed, one of the biggest challenges for the 25,000 lucky ducks who take on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon each year is trying to convey their experience upon returning home. It remains elusive to all but the most eloquent of writers and indescribable for those with a mere website column as their vehicle.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought it easiest to share my impressions with photographs taken throughout the trip. Enjoy!
Desert Queen Ranch – Joshua Tree National Park
The month of November 2007 had me caretaking and conducting tours of the fascinating Key’s Ranch (historically known as the Desert Queen Ranch). The ranch is located within a hidden valley ringed by the giant granite boulders of Joshua Tree’s high country. Below are just a few of the highlights I enjoyed at the ranch. Find out more about the ranch and the tours on Joshua Tree National Park’s website.
Grand Inspiration: GC Youth River Trip
Grand Canyon National Park and the non-profit Grand Canyon Youth collaborated on an art-based whitewater rafting trip called Grand Inspiration (GRIN) in the summer of 2011. The program was facilitated by writer and NPS science educator Juliet Oakes, artist and AmeriCorps volunteer Sara Hooker, and photographer and GCFI director Mike Buchheit. Here are a few of the photos from that river trip.
