Granite Gorge, Grand Canyon Colorado River

The best way to view the Granite Gorge (Colorado River) in the Grand Canyon National Park is to go there by raft. It is an amazing spot that hikers are not able to get to or even view from a high vantage point. It attracts many visitors each year, who just want to see this geological wonder.

The Colorado River's Granite Gorge in the Grand Canyon is one of those wonders in the national park that a lot of people want to see, but may never do so. The gorge is only accessible via boat, and unless one has the courage to try whitewater rafting, the chances of seeing it become very slim.

The gorge was named by Major Powell, after he had battled the dangerous rapids of the upper Colorado River, and survived the narrow and treacherous waters of the Marble Canyon. He only had limited resources and the boats in those days were not as well balanced as the ones we have today, so it is a historical miracle that he found the gorge at all.

The gorge is tailored for the needs of the expert rafter. Entering the gorge, boaters are greeted with whirling rapids that are sure to take anyone's breath away. There is no doubt that this section requires a lot of skill. There are whirlpools hidden around each boulder and the basalt gray makes it seem more like a trip through Hell than an extension of one of the United States' most beautiful stretches of water.

The gorge delights all who wish to stop along one of its many side creeks. These creeks are set in large fissures, remainders of a once volcanic flow that extends all the way to Lava Falls. There are many grottos and mini waterfalls that can be explored, the most delightful being the Deer Creek Waterfall, which allows visitors to climb part of the way up for the most perfect view.