Nankoweap

The Grand Canyon holds wonderful surprises such as the Nautiloid Canyon. Narrow and steep-sided, the canyon earned its name by containing nautiloid fossils in its rocks. These 400-millions-year-old fossils are the ancestors of modern-day chambered nautilus, squid and octopus. With squid-like heads and snail-like shells, the nautiloid fossils reveal themselves when water is poured onto the limestone floor.

A series of rapids in quick succession unfold around a semi-circular bend known as Point Hansbrough. It was named after Peter Hansbrough, a member of Frank Brown’s expedition (see postcard 3). Peter attempted to run the 25 Mile rapid but his boat was pushed against a cliff by the current. When he pushed away from the cliff, the boat overturned and both he and his companion, Henry Richards, were tossed into the water without life vests and drowned. Henry’s remains were never found. However, Peter’s were discovered six months later near President Harding Rapid, having been carried 19mi (30km) downriver. His remains were recognised by the clothing and boots found on the skeleton. He was buried nearby and an inscription was cut above his grave, “PMH 1889”.

Between Nankoweap Creek and Little Nankoweap Creek is Point Imperial. At 8,803ft (2,683m) it is the highest point on the rim. To the left of the Point, built high up from the river are the Nankoweap Granaries. The Ancient Puebloans wanted a safe place to store their grain and keep it dry when the river rose and flooded the area. They accomplished this by cutting a number of small square windows into the rockface. It must have been a gruelling task to cut out the rock and then haul up the grain since the hike up to the granaries was a steep, near-vertical climb of about half a mile (800m).

Not one to back down from a challenge, I tackled the rocky winding trail, climbing up to the Granaries. With a little bit of light scrambling at the end, I was afforded breathtaking, panoramic views of the meandering river and the variegated colours of the canyon walls.

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The team at The Conqueror Challenges
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