HDT Day 45: Colorado River & Beamer Trail

Daily Miles: 15.8, Total Miles: 610.9

The ankle is sore, tender and feels even more unstable than usual. What can I do but take ibuprofen, wrap the ankle up tight and just walk carefully? The uneven river bottoms, faint and sloping trails and bushwhacking aren’t helping.

I put my head down and tried to find the best path down the mighty Colorado River to near the confluence with the Colorado River.

There was a use trail for the first four miles to Kwangut Creek which was helpful. The remaining five miles to the cross-over or ferry point would be mostly bushwhacking and a lot of rock hopping, not fun at all and painfully tedious. On the way, I saw a couple of rafts coming down the river. I quickly waded out into the Colorado and stuck my thumb out. To my surprise, one of the rafts made a beeline to my position and the river guide asked if I was OK. I was soon thankfully joining a commercial raft trip full of Tulane University professors and students.

The river guides were wonderful, especially with the offer for lunch before getting me across the Colorado River. A huge roast beef sandwich, chips and all the Nutter Butter cookies I could eat. We all hopped back into the rafts and crossed to the other side to meet the confluence with the turquoise blue Little Colorado River. Me to wade across the Little Colorado and carry on and everyone else to take a swim in this unique and beautiful setting.

I got across without taking a swim myself. Saw the beginnings of a trail high up on the bank and up I went. This is the Beamer Trail with long drops to the canyon floor or directly to the Colorado River. Six miles later, I finally dropped down to Lava Canyon Rapids.

A warm, sunny day so running on empty when I got to the river. I quickly drank the first two liters I filtered. I camped adjacent to the impressive, but noisy rapids.

During the course of this long day, I had to get real and face the fact that I am running a real risk of this ankle completely giving out. Any type of rescue would be difficult and complicated. I decided the best course of action is to continue on to the Kaibab Trail and exit out to the South Rim.

I also thought back to my visit with an orthopedic surgeon last year. After seeing my MRI, he had great plans for my ankle. His final words were sooner or later, you will be back to see me and want to get this done. At the time, I thought it was a rather bold statement but I guess he may be right.