Day 6 鈥?28th August 2008 鈥?Lake Powell
Up again at 5:30 a captured the most stunning sunrise. Today we had pre-booked a tour to Rainbow Bridge - Lake Powell Tours (http://www.LakePowellTours.net). Cost $290 (拢150)
The tour providers describe this as:
鈥淨uite likely the most photographed geological wonder in the American West, Rainbow Bridge is a must-see during your Lake Powell visit. The relaxing boat tour is approximately 7 1/2 hours, with 3 hours travel time to Rainbow Bridge, 1 1/2 hours exploring Rainbow Bridge, and 3 hours back to Wahweap Marina. You will enjoy the wonderful rock formations, beautiful painted walls, and travel through Forbidden Canyon on your way to Rainbow Bridge.
I can assure you that it does exactly what鈥檚 on the label.
The tour sets of at 8:00am and there are only 7 of us aboard 鈥?it鈥檚 as though we had chartered our own private boat 鈥?I鈥檓 amazed that they didn鈥檛 cancel but so glad they didn鈥檛. The crew consisted of two Native American women who were just fabulous. The Pilot (who I have to say was controlled the boat with immense skill 鈥?no more jibes about women drivers then) also gave a running commentary throughout the tour 鈥?she was extremely informative and good fun.
We were provided with as much coffee, lemonade and water as we could drink and a packed lunch after our walk to Rainbow Bridge 鈥?which was more than sufficient.
There was a restroom on board and an upper and lower deck 鈥?the upper deck was open (hat and or sunscreen recommended) and a lower deck was enclosed with windows 鈥?ample seating on both decks.
I鈥檓 sure everyone is aware of Lake Powell鈥檚 famous and controversial history but the headline facts are that it is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River, straddling the border between Utah and Arizona. It is the second largest man-made reservoir in the United States behind Lake Mead - the lake%26#39;s main body stretches up Glen Canyon, but has also filled many (over 90) side canyons 鈥?our trip to Rainbow Bridge would take us just a mere 50 mile up the lake.
Due to the lake level, a 1-mile walk/hike (each way) is required both to and from Rainbow Bridge and it is recommended that you wear tennis or hiking shoes for the trail.
On our trip out to Rainbow Bridge we are treated to stupendous views of the of original canyon walls 鈥?the rock formations are many and various including - Wingate Sandstone layers that are typically pale orange to red in color, the remnants of wind-born sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago - Navajo Sandstone which often appears as massive rounded domes and bluffs that are generally white in colour and the Kayenta Formation which frequently appears as a thinner dark broken layer below Navajo Sandstone and above Wingate Sandstone (all three formations are in the same group). Together, these three formations can result in immense vertical cliffs of 2,000 feet (610 m) or more. (ref Wikipedia).
The first part of our journey is along open water and we manage a good speed 鈥?slowing down for the many other craft using the lake such as houseboats, jet boat and jet skis 鈥?our wake can cause them much discomfort and the rules of he lake are very strict 鈥?the jet skis however have great fun following our boat and using our wake to propel their vehicles into the air.
It was during one of the faster stretches of open water that my sunglasses flew off my head to begin their 500ft journey to the bottom of the lake 鈥?what is it with me and glasses 鈥?they were my best pair as well 鈥?oops. Ok squinting into the sun we continue.
Many of the side canyons are too small for our comparatively large craft but with considerable skill our pilot takes us through canyons that are so tight that it almost takes the paint of the boat on both sided. This tour has everything.
After 3 or 4 hours we make it to the landing station that will take us to Rainbow Bridge - the world%26#39;s largest natural bridge 鈥?our crew explain that Rainbow Bridge used to be a Navajo sacred place of worship and asked us to respect this monument and not walk around or under the bridge. It is called ';Nonnoshoshi'; by the Navajo people, or ';rainbow turned to stone.'; The Bridge is an arch with a span of 278 feet which rises more than 290 feet and is said to be the male and female holy beings who created clouds, rainbows, and moisture.
You don鈥檛 have to walk that far before you get your first tantalising glimpses of the Bridge 鈥?the walk in fact isn鈥檛 that far and it鈥檚 very pleasant. Before long the Bridge is in full view 鈥?a magnificent sight 鈥?more photos. A Ranger is at the Bridge to greet us and he provides us with lots of information about the Bridge and its history 鈥?he also explained that the Lake Powell level is controlled so that it doesn鈥檛 back up this canyon far enough to immerse and erode the legs of this fabulous monument.
We only have half an hour or so at the Bridge before we have to make our way back to the boat 鈥?it was everything we expected and more. The spectacular sights just go on and on.
Back at the boat we are given our pack lunches before we start our trip back. We stop off at Dangling Rope Marina. The marina is basically a fuel stop for boaters on their way up or down lake. In additional to fuel, there is a small marina store offering the best soft serve ice cream around, in addition to basic supplies. We have to make the stop as the crew have to make a delivery. This is an ideal opportunity for me to replace my sunglasses 鈥?which I did at the general store 鈥?pretty good they were as well.
We enjoy a leisurely trip back on our boat to the Wahweap Marina and arrive back around 3:00/4:00 pm. The sun is now high at we decide to go for a swim 鈥?I look for my swimmers 鈥?oh no I鈥檝e forgotten to pack them 鈥?maybe they will have some at the sports shop 鈥?well they did but as normal not quite what I wanted - the only thing in my size were a pair with a rather garish floral design, which I鈥檓 sure would look good on a young bronzed body but on a 57 year old with grey hair I鈥檓 not so sure 鈥?still they would give Lyn a laugh.
So with my floral shorts 鈥?Dangling Rope sunglasses and my Grand Canyon reading glasses I head off to the pool to join Lyn 鈥?she tries to hide behind her book but I can tell she is trying to suppress her laughter 鈥?have you no thought for my feelings!! Still we manage to secure more than adequate space around us for sunbathing 鈥?mothers all around the pool try to prevent their children inadvertently wandering too near us. I try to explain that were British and hope they鈥檒l understand (just kidding).
I seruptiously slip my reading glasses on and write my postcards for friends and family back home. After an hour or two we make our way back to our room to shower and change for our evening meal.
Dinner and cocktails in the Lakeview restaurant whilst watching another spectacular sunset - retire back to our room around 10:00pm ish. I loved Lake Powell 鈥?a lot more than I thought I would 鈥?better than the Grand Canyon? 鈥?not sure, very close call 鈥?Lake Powell may just have the edge.
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