Friday, July 10, 2009

Tu-Toroweap


This part of the Grand Canyon has two names which is good because we made two trips! Toroweap or Tuweap is a part of the Grand Canyon most people never get to see. It isn't too far from Kanab but it is a dirt road, wash boarded and rugged dirt road for like 60 miles. The views are incredible! No rails, nothing just a drop off to the Colorado River ranging from 2500 feet to 4500 feet depending on where you stand. It is spectacular to see! Of course we did NOT bring the kids. I am not afraid of heights but even I pulled back and got a little nervous in places, especially watching other people. We drove Saturday afternoon (June 27th). Quick day trip right?...



We made the trip the views were amazing, we saw two rafts on the Colorado River take on the rapids of Lava Falls. To us they looked like ants we couldn't see any people just the boat. We were about 3000 feet above them. Can you see the Rapids?

Brant is pointing to them.

It was remarkable to stand out on ledges like that. After a little hiking we headed back to Kanab about 5 miles down the dirt road we notice 2 people walking though some weeds off the road then we notice a minivan pulled to side near a very sandy part of the road. We stopped to see what was up, turns out someone told them their vehicle could make it NO WAY! We couldn't just drive off with a good luck so we offered to take them the rest of the way up. So Dr. Peter Schmidt, his wife Martina, and their 2 kids Raphael & Ramona from Germany jumped in with us. We turned around and took them up to enjoy the view. I'm sure their kids will remember their dad taking them up some dirt road for 50 miles and then getting in a truck with 2 strange Americans. We really didn't mind, it was great because Dr. Peter Schmidt is a geologist and he taught us about the lava falls. They were very nice and appreciative. It was very interesting and fun. German's get 6 weeks vacation maybe Brant should be sending resumes there! We got back late but it makes for a great memory!

2 comments:

Natalie said...

WOW! Looks beautiful! I think I would need a rail!

Stephanie said...

I love hearing stories about people doing good deeds. It give me chills. I'm sure the Schmidts will remember you guys for the rest of their lives. I've never been there before. The river looks so river from clear up there.