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America’s National Parks

Puzzle 50 · The Desert Southwest · Page 74 in print

Grand Canyon River

Despite its name, Lava Falls Rapid was formed from debris washed down Prospect Canyon, not from old lava flows, and the river now runs 50 feet deeper than the base of the ancient lava dams.

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View north past tree-covered rocky outcrop towards green Colorado Rover in the distance. To the right are steep red-colored cliffs that extend from foreground, back along the river.

The Colorado River seen from Desert View Point.

NPS/Kristen M. Caldon · Public domain (U.S. federal government work) · Original record
Image changes

Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.

Looking up Shinumo Creek above humpback chub pool 1.

Shinumo Creek, a tributary within Grand Canyon.

NPS PHOTO BY MEREDITH HARTWELL · Public domain (U.S. federal government work) · Original record
Image changes

Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.

The words

  1. Black Bridge

    Black Bridge, the bridge crossing the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  2. Crystal Rapid

    Crystal Rapid, the Colorado River rapid beside Crystal Creek's debris fan.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  3. Dory

    A dory, a boat used for Grand Canyon river trips.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  4. Elves Chasm

    Elves Chasm, the named side drainage by Royal Arch Creek's confluence with the Colorado River.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  5. Hualapai

    The Hualapai people, one of Grand Canyon's traditionally associated Indigenous peoples.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  6. Humpback Chub

    The humpback chub, the native fish conserved in the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  7. Inner Gorge

    The inner gorge, the deepest canyon landscape exposing ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  8. Lava Falls

    Lava Falls Rapid, the Colorado River rapid formed by debris from Prospect Canyon.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  9. Lees Ferry

    Lees Ferry, the starting place for river trips through Grand Canyon.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  10. Nankoweap

    Nankoweap, the river-side delta and camping area beside Nankoweap Creek.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  11. Phantom Ranch

    Phantom Ranch, the lodging settlement at the bottom of Grand Canyon.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  12. Powell

    John Wesley Powell, the geologist who led expeditions down the Colorado River.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  13. Redwall Cavern

    Redwall Cavern, the named cavern stop on Colorado River trips.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  14. Sockdolager

    Sockdolager Rapid, the named Colorado River rapid in Grand Canyon.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

  15. Vishnu Schist

    Vishnu Schist, a metamorphic rock exposed in Grand Canyon's basement rocks.

    National Park Service (opens a new tab)

Sources

  1. Status of the North Rim - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  2. B-Roll Video: Point of View from Rafts and Raft Riders - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  3. Recreational Fishing Information - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  4. Noncommercial River Trip RegulationsNational Park Service
  5. Full Steam Ahead: A Historic Village Tour - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  6. Tributary Translocations - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  7. Geology - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  8. Tuweep - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  9. Lodging - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  10. Explorers - Grand Canyon National ParkNational Park Service
  11. Vishnu Basement RocksNational Park Service

How we choose sources and photographs