Cleansing the Spirit

Tumbling down a boulder-strewn channel deep in the Grand Canyon, a torrent rushes out of a cave at the bottom of a 500-foot limestone cliff and sprays a cooling mist that sparkles with rainbow hues in the sunlight.

True to its name, Thunder River inspires a special awe and reverence. It roars past cottonwood trees satiated by the mist, then ends in a mere half mile as it pours into a creek, one of the few bodies of water called a "river" to do so.

Tapeats Creek itself joins the mighty Colorado River two miles below.

Itıs no wonder that Thunder River, beneath the canyonıs North Rim, was said to be the late U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwaterıs favorite place in Arizona.

The geological history of the Grand Canyon covers 1.7 billion years, or one-third of the life of our planet. The Red Wall, the cliff formation through which Thunder River courses, is young in comparison. It took shape under an ocean 330 million years ago, when the first amphibians were crawling from sea to land. Visible throughout the canyon, the Red Wall is composed of gray limestone but gets its name from the red iron oxide stain on its weathered face. Above the Red Wall lie 500 feet of Supai sandstone and shale. Above that are layers of hermit shale, Coconino sandstone, Toroweap sandstone, and Kaibab limestone.

The North Rim, 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, receives more rainfall but has few running streams. Water sinks into the ground and forms an aquifer behind the Red Wall, which is generally impermeable. The water escapes wherever it can, most magnificently at Thunder Spring, source of Thunder River.

This treasure is made more precious by the effort required to view it: Only backpackers get the privilege. ...

Related Links

Other resources