Colorado River & Trail Expeditions is Adding a Second Grand Canyon Spring Hiking Trip:
May 10-20, 2025 $4995.00
This is our Most Popular Grand Canyon Rafting Expedition
Introduction: Why We’re Adding Another Trip
- Due to the overwhelming demand and popularity of our Grand Canyon Spring Hiking Trip, Colorado River & Trail Expeditions(CRATE) has decided to add a second trip to our 2025 schedule!
- New dates: May 10-20, 2025
- Price $4995.00
What Makes This Grand Canyon Trip Special?
- Perfect Spring Weather: Enjoy ideal hiking temperatures before the summer heat kicks in.
- Small Group Experience: A chance to explore with a group of like-minded adventurers.
- Expert Guides: Our experienced guides will take you to hidden gems, panoramic viewpoints, and less-traveled trails.
- More Time to Hike: This 11-day motorized trip gives more time to see, hike, and explore Grand Canyon.
Trip Highlights
- Iconic Trails: Hike to the Best Places in the Grand Canyon from the Colorado River.
- Camping Under the Stars: Sleep beneath the clearest night skies you’ve ever seen.
- Wildlife & Natural Beauty: Spot bighorn sheep, condors, and breathtaking geological formations.
- Rest Days & Exploration: Enjoy waterfalls and short hikes some days, and other days spend most of the day hiking.
Why You Should Sign Up Now
- Our first trip SOLD OUT quickly! Don’t wait to grab your spot.
- Limited Spaces Available – We keep our groups small for a more intimate and immersive experience.
- The Ultimate Bucket List Adventure – If rafting the Grand Canyon and seeing all it has to offer, this is your chance!
How to Sign Up
- Call us Now 1-800-253-7328 to reserve your spot!
- Have questions? Reach out to us—we’re happy to help!
- Spots will go fast, so don’t miss out!
- Visit our website www.crateinc.com to learn more about our Grand Canyon Rafting Trips
Grand Canyon Spring Hiking & Rafting Adventure: A 2024 Trip Log
Some adventures change you forever, and our 11-day journey through the Grand Canyon was one of them. From heart-pounding rapids to serene desert waterfalls, every day brought something new—stunning landscapes, hidden oases, and the thrill of exploration. Here’s a look back at our unforgettable trip. It is obvious that no two trips are ever the same given so many uncontrollable variables.
Day 1: Into the Canyon, Under the Stars
We launched onto the river with excitement buzzing through the group, the canyon walls towering above us like ancient sentinels. That evening, we set up camp at North Canyon, our tents nestled against a backdrop of red rock. As the stars emerged, we settled in, knowing this was just the beginning of something incredible.
Day 2: Climbing Through Time & A Nighttime Frog Symphony
The morning sun painted the cliffs in hues of gold as we hiked North Canyon, scrambling up through the Supai
Formation to a quiet pool of water hidden within the rocks. A perfect spot to cool off and reflect.
Back on the river, we stopped at the legendary Redwall Cavern, a vast limestone amphitheater where John Wesley Powell once imagined 50,000 people gathering. Standing there, surrounded by its towering walls, it was obvious Powell liked to exaggerate.
After a quick rest at Redbud Alcove, we made our way to Buck Farm Canyon for the night. As the sun set, we grabbed our headlamps and wandered into the darkness, greeted by an unexpected treat—a frog symphony, their rhythmic calls echoing off the canyon walls.
Day 3: Waterfalls & Ancient Granaries
Today was all about the hikes. We climbed Saddle Canyon to a hidden waterfall, where cool mist refreshed us after the dusty ascent. The real highlight, though, was the trek up to the Nankoweep Granaries. Perched high above the river, these ancient Puebloan storage structures offered one of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip—a vast panorama of the canyon stretching endlessly in every direction.
That night, we camped near Kwagunt Rapid, falling asleep to the sound of rushing water.
Day 4: Rapids & The Inner Gorge
The river picked up speed as we passed the Little Colorado River and entered the Inner Gorge,where the rock walls closed in, their dark volcanic formations revealing the canyon’s deepest layers of time.
Today was a whitewater day, and what a day it was. We tackled legendary rapids, including Hance, Horn Creek, and Sockdolager, each one sending adrenaline surging through our veins. By the time we passed Phantom Ranch, the canyon had worked its magic—we were no longer just travelers; we were part of the river’s rhythm.
Day 5: A Desert Hike & More Whitewater Thrills
We woke early, eager for the Granite-Hermit Loop hike along the Tonto Trail. This high-desert traverse gave us sweeping views of the canyon, a humbling reminder of its sheer immensity.
Back on the water, we braced ourselves for some of the Grand Canyon’s most famous rapids: Granite, Hermit, and Crystal. Each wave crashed over us, drenching us in pure exhilaration. That night, we camped at the Ross Wheeler, a boat left behind from an early 1900s film endeavor gone wrong. Everyone traded stories around the campfire as the river whispered beside us.
Day 6: History, Music, and Magic
The day began with a hike up the Bass Trail to the historic camp of William Wallace Bass, an early Grand Canyon pioneer. Bass built a trail from the South Rim, had a cable car across the Colorado River, and continued
his trail a few more miles up into Shinumo Creek where he built a Tent Camp. Some of the old artifacts are still there. Later, we reached Elves Chasm, where a hidden waterfall cascaded into a clear pool. Some of us couldn’t resist—jumping in, laughing as the cold water shocked our senses.
As the sun dipped low, our guide played music in the acoustically rich Blacktail Canyon, our voices and instruments blending with the canyon’s natural echoes. That night, we camped on a sandy beach, lulled to sleep by the river’s steady hum.
The day began with a hike up the Bass Trail to the historic camp of William Wallace Bass, an early Grand Canyon pioneer. Bass built a trail from the South Rim, had a cable car across the Colorado River, and continued his trail a few more miles up into Shinumo Creek where he built a Tent Camp. Some of
the old artifacts are still there. Later, we reached Elves Chasm, where a hidden waterfall cascaded into a clear pool. Some of us couldn’t resist—jumping in, laughing as the cold water shocked our senses.
As the sun dipped low, our guide played music in the acoustically rich Blacktail Canyon, our voices and instruments blending with the canyon’s natural echoes. That night, we camped on a sandy beach, lulled to sleep by the river’s steady hum.
Day 7: A Slow Morning & Waterfall Wonders
For the first time all trip, we allowed ourselves a slow morning, watching as the sun crested the cliffs and warmed our camp. A short day on the river brought us to Stone Creek, where some ventured up to the upper waterfall, while others enjoyed a lazy afternoon at the lower cascade. The Grand Canyon has a way of making time feel irrelevant.
Day 8: The Epic Tapeats to Deer Creek Loop
Today’s hike was one for the books: the Tapeats to Deer Creek loop. Along the way, Thunder River—one of the few places in the world where a river bursts directly from a rock face—left us in awe. Later, at Deer Creek, we stretched out on the smooth stone “patio” and listened to the roar of the waterfall before hiking back to the river.
We camped just below Kanab Creek, where Powell ended his second expedition. The history of this place felt tangible.
Day 9: Havasu’s Blue Waters & The Legendary Lava Falls
After a leisurely float, we reached Havasu Canyon, where turquoise waters wound their way through red rock, a striking contrast to the canyon’s rugged hues. We spent the morning wading through the pools, soaking in the beauty of this hidden oasis.
But the day wasn’t over yet. Ahead lay Lava Falls, the most infamous rapid on the Colorado River. Hearts pounded as the boat plunged into the churning waves, sending up walls of whitewater. In seconds, we were through, cheering and laughing, our adrenaline surging.
That night, we camped in the Parashant Area, basking in the afterglow of an incredible day.
Day 10: The Final Stretch
We passed Diamond Creek, and dropped into the excitement of the rapids of the Lower Granite Gorge. After about 10 miles of exciting rapids the river began to calm as the effect of the once full Lake
Mead became evident.
That evening, we shared a final camp together, swapping stories, watching the stars, and feeling the bittersweet pull of the trip’s conclusion.
Day 11: Farewell to the Grand Canyon
The last morning on the water was quiet, each of us lost in thought as we floated through the Lower Granite Gorge. As we reached Lake Mead, the canyon walls slowly receded, opening up to the vast horizon.
We lashed the rafts together and motored across the still waters, waving goodbye to the Grand Canyon and to the river friends who had become like family.
Final Thoughts
This trip was more than just a journey through the Grand Canyon—it was a journey through time, through challenges, through camaraderie. We hiked, we laughed, we listened. The canyon gave us its stories, and in return, we left a piece of ourselves behind.
Until next time, Grand Canyon.
-Walker Mackay
