Colorado River Trip and North Bass Trail Survey

In February 2005 I was invited to join a National Parks Service rafting trip down the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. The purpose of me joining was to survey the northern section of the historic Bass Trail - one of only two trails that transect the Grand Canyon - in preparation for its reconstruction by American Conservation Experience crews. This is one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of Arizona and the only practical way of reaching there in winter is from the river at the bottom by raft, as the top end, along with the entire North Rim, is closed due to thick snow cover. During the survey we determined the original route, recorded historic structures, chose future camp sites and worked out general logistics. It was also a wonderful opportunity to see parts of the Canyon rarely experienced by others.