Day 5, the fun continues

About this point in the trip days and time all begin to blend together.  I think the only reason I knew what day of the trip we were on was I was writing some notes in my guide boats about what we did each day.  It didn't really matter what day it was, as the schedule was mostly the same.  Eat three meals, snack occasionally, paddle, hit some rapids, hike to a cool spot, rinse and repeat.  By now everyone was used to the heat and for the most part everyone was sleeping well.

It had rained a bit off and on the evening before and in the morning, it dumped rain for a few minutes just as we shoved off from the shore.  Great timing.  Today was the first day in the boat with Margeaux.  Each guide had their own style.  Margeaux was full of fun and a joy to be around.  

The morning was mostly paddling, except for a short stop across the river from where the Little Colorado joins in with the Colorado.  The natives had requested that trips not head up the Little Colorado, as they were already pretty hard hit by COVID.  Tommy respected their wishes, so we stopped just to look at the azure water of the Little Colorado joining the dirty green Colorado.  It was hard to see and didn't really come out in pictures, but there are a few nice ones from the area anyway.  

Towards mid day we stopped for lunch at Carbon Creek.  After lunch, the plan was to do a sort of a loop hike.  We would hike up Carbon Canyon, and then hike down the adjacent canyon Lava Chuar.  If all went well, the boats would be waiting for us at the end of the hike.  In order to know if that was the case or not, two guides hiked ahead of us and met us near the top of the hike.  They proceeded to hike back down, move the boats down, and beat us to the bottom.  

Carbon canyon was rugged and rocky.  Lava Chuar reminded me of Artist's Pallet in Grand Canyon.  Another great hike.  

We finished the hike in the late afternoon, and then learned we would camp there that night.  

Day 5 is over, 65 miles gone.  At some point we will need to pick up the pace on the river, but it has been such a joy that I don't think anyone is really worrying about this.  

Link to Day 6