Daily Dose of the Southwest: A Stream of Surprise

Bright Angel Creek is one of the few reliable water sources within the confines of Grand Canyon.

Bursting from the Redwall Limestone at Roaring Springs, the creek flows for some 19 miles through the Grand Canyon’s depths to its confluence with the Colorado River.

I took this photo in December 2016 at the Bright Angel Campground, a mere quarter-mile before the creek’s exit into the Colorado.

And although it flows through a rugged, unforgiving desert environment, the creek’s consistent flow provides a reliable source for giant Fremont Cottonwood trees and dozens of other lush riparian plants.

At an elevation of 2,450 feet, fall comes late to this slice of the stream, at a time of year when most places are bare of leaves and frigid.

Reaching this paradise was not without tribulation, as it required descending the ice-crusted upper reaches of the South Kaibab Trail and then a knee-busting 7-mile hike with 40-pound packs on our backs.

It was worth it though. We soaked up the late-autumn sun, golden even in mid-day as it passed through the yellow canopy. The creek bubbled along through the sandstone boulders, releasing its not-appropriately-named mood-lifting negatively-charged-ions and rejuvenated our souls.

They say only about 1% of Grand Canyon visitors make it down this far, a case where it pays in spades to not follow the crowd.

Thanks for reading today’s Daily Dose! I appreciate you all.

-Jake

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