Tanner Canyon

As I entered the Grand Canyon proper, I sensed a change. The canyon became deeper, the river more powerful, more imposing. This is where the advanced rapids awaited my arrival.

Around mile 64 (107km) the lower part of the canyon walls have significant mineral deposits. Known as the Hopi Indian salt mines, this is where the Hopi Indians come to gather salt for ceremonial purposes. A pilgrimage here was also a rite of passage for young males entering adulthood. Considered sacred ground, the area is off-limits to outsiders and rafts on the river are not permitted to stop and explore.

Four miles (6.4km) later I rafted past Tanner Canyon and through Tanner rapid. The murkiness of the water was really showing and a far cry from the green colour in Marble Canyon. The rapid was named after Seth Tanner, a 19th century prospector and guide. He was responsible for expanding and improving the Tanner Trail down to the river. Legend has it that the trail was used in the late 1800s to drive stolen horses and during the prohibition era of the 1930s likely used by moonshiners (liquor smugglers).

Norm and Doris Nevills were pioneers in commercial river running in the 1930s. Norm was in charge of the expedition on the river and Doris in charge of logistics. Norm was credited with numerous ‘firsts’ such as: first person to run through the canyon more than twice, first to run a commercial run through the canyon, first to take women on a commercial trip, and and first to take women through the canyon. Norm was also proud of the fact that he never flipped a boat on any of his river runs. As prominent figures in Grand Canyon history, they were bestowed with their own rapid at mile 75 (120km), known as Nevills Rapid.

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