| By :
Stephen Daniels
A paddle rafting tour down the Grand Canyon is perhaps the ultimate white water trip, for those who are in good physical condition, and love to get in and work with the tour leaders in paddling and guiding the raft down the river. Trips range from one to fifteen days, and on occasion, even longer. Because the Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado has more levels of rapids than anywhere else in the world (levels 1-10), visitors should be very familiar with their own strength and ability to work hard with a small team to ensure the safety of everyone on the raft. Participants should expect to be paddling the entire time they are on the raft. The most common paddle raft is powered by six people with a guide at the stern. The guide provides instructions before setting out on the water. Proper shoes and clothing are important; sunscreen is essential. Those on the raft should definitely expect to get wet while out on the river. Self-bailing rafts are designed for use in the Grand Canyon, allowing for quick response in the rapids. Paddle boats are smaller and faster than oar powered boats and carry no camp gear. A baggage boat is usually hauled along to carry the food and gear the rafters will need and want. Some expedition outfitters do permit paddle boats to accompany other larger rafts that will carry the baggage, in place of a separate baggage boat. High-energy, all-paddle trips are often offered earlier in the season when there are more rapids to help move the boat along. In addition, the higher the river level, the higher the rapids levels, making the trip even more exciting for those seeking high adventure. Participants must be at least 14 years old and 5 feet 3 inches tall. Whitewater rafting trips are an experience of a lifetime for individuals, families and groups. Multi-day and single day river rafting tours on the Colorado River are available to fit any vacation schedule. Tour season usually begins in April and runs through September, weather permitting. The longer tours will run the length of the river from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead. Shorter trips are offered on either the upper or lower canyon, and run 5 - 8 days. Both the upper and the lower canyon trips include a day-hike in or out of the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. As with the other tours, paddlers do not spend all day on the river. Side hikes into hidden small canyons, Native American ruins, picnicking, swimming, and even geographical tours are usually scheduled to keep visitors entertained and learning about all the Grand Canyon has to offer. Most of these side trips are accessible only via river travel. For those who are unable or unwilling to endure the extreme heat during the summer months, some tour operators offer special extended trips in April and September. If a paddle tour sounds like the way you would like to experience the Grand Canyon, check online for outfitters offering this option. The Grand Canyon National Park strictly enforces a one-trip-per-year rule due to the popularity and limited availability of the Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River. Grand Canyon river rafting expeditions are usually booked well in advance, and may require reservations at least a year or more before your scheduled trip.
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