Note: this class is full. Please contact us to be placed on the waiting list.
The Nankoweap Canyon area is rich with geologic and human history, and absolutely gorgeous to boot. This rugged and challenging route takes us to the river in a lesser-known region of the canyon, and allows access to geologic features not seen anywhere else.
We will explore the upper reaches of the Chuar Valley, created by the massive Butte Fault. This portion of the valley preserves the mysterious and little-exposed Chuar Group of the precambrian Grand Canyon Supergroup, and provides a key piece often missing in the story of Grand Canyon's geologic history. We will discuss ideas for the formation of Grand Canyon, and how the Butte Fault and the Chuar Valley fit into this story, and have a chance to see some of the most ancient and primitive creatures in Grand Canyon's fossil family.
The group will explore rugged mesas and buttes for breathtaking views, and examine places like Tilted Mesa and the Nankoweap Delta to try and answer some of the fascinating mysteries of some of the canyon's history. In addition, at places like the Nankoweap granaries and delta, we will examine the history of the ancient peoples and pioneers who lived in the region and left signs of their lives.
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Itinerary
Day 1 Meet at Cliff Dwellers, AZ for short introduction and orientation. Camp at trailhead.
Day 2 Hike Nankoweap Trail to Tilted Mesa and dry-camp. Nankoweap Creek. Establish basecamp. Study Upper Palaeozoic strata en route.
Day 3 Continue hike to Nankoweap Creek. Establish basecamp. Exploratory hike in Nankoeap Basin. Study Lower Palaeozoic strata en route.
Day 4 Exploratory hike to the Colorado River studying geology.
Day 5 Exploratory hike to Chuar Valley to examine Supergroup geology.
Day 6 Exploratory hike in the Nankoweap Basin.
Day 7 Ascend Nankoweap Trail to the Marion Point and dry-camp.
Day 8 Ascend remaining distance to the
rim, return to Cliff Dwellers for wrap up session.
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