Our second morning meal at Lee’s Ferry was just as chilly as the first- starting our day before the sun reaches the Canyon floor means early rising every day. We clutched our hot chocolate and oatmeal close as we watched fog and sunlight spill over the Canyon’s edge, signaling the start of our day. After the team packed up breakfast, we moved on to the first adventure of our day: Cathedral Wash trail.
Heeding Dr. Baack’s warning for the day ahead, we had all packed light, or skipped our packs altogether for what he called our “3-D” hike. Armed with hiking boots, two pairs of socks, and a very vague idea of what “canyoning” meant, we followed Dr. Baack into the wash, a path of rock and rust red soil.
The Cathedral Wash Trail is the bottom of canyon near Marble Canyon and Lee’s Ferry, and it features jutting rock, sneaky crevasses and exciting scrambling opportunities for climbers. Our group split into teams of three or four and made our way down the path, with the goal of reaching the Colorado River at the end of the trail.
The “3-D” hike was a new challenge for all of us, and required stellar communication, teamwork and quick problem solving when the canyon wall suddenly ended, or when we came across deep pools of water blocking our path. The path became tricky, and forced us to face our fears of falling, and put trust in our group members. The most rewarding point of the trail was when we came around a bend and saw the light at the end of the canyon (literally!) shining, and heard the rushing of the immense Colorado River beckoning us. Reaching the Colorado River in that picture perfect moment was worth every bruise, mud stain and hand scrape that it took to make it down the Canyon. After making it to the water, we all spent time reflecting on the hike and took in the beautiful view of the rushing blue Colorado River against the deep red canyon walls and the shining blue sky.
We hiked back the way we had come, and, like every other adventure this trip, we emerged feeling more confident in our outdoor savvy, creating a deeper connection to the landscape around us. With tired muscles, we went back to Lee’s Ferry and prepared our lunches; it’s amazing how delicious a sandwich is when its preceded by the scaling of a canyon wall. We ate our sandwiches and fruit sitting on the beach of the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry, watching the “anglers” (fisherman) dock their boats.
After lunch we talked with Scott Rogers, the Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager for Region II of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Scott talked to us about the role of the Public Trust Doctrine in American history in establishing public land for the public good. He also explained some of the research that they were conducting in the area to help restore native fish populations, while still maintaining a strong nonnative trout population for fisherman in the National Recreation Area.
Native fish populations, like the Humpback chub, Flannelmouth sucker and Bonytail are declining in great numbers in the Colorado River, and many of them are at risk of endangerment or already endangered. The challenge is keeping the upstream trout sport fishery well stocked for anglers, while supporting native fish populations downstream. Scott helped us better understand all of the different stakeholders involved in the decisions of the Grand Canyon, from the Bureau of Reclamation to tribes like the Hopi and Navajo Nation.
After our talk, we stretched our limbs with some unsuccessful Condor watching, and a short walk around Lonely Ranch, near Lee’s Ferry. We finished up our evening with a discussion of biological attempts at population restoration for native fish in the Colorado River, and the politics of the issue. For dinner, we spent another meal around the picnic tables at Lee’s Ferry, each pitching in and working together in a team dynamic no one would have predicted a week ago.
