With nearly 200 full length commercial river trips under my belt, I have only had the opportunity to visit this very magical place we call, Thunder River, about 15 times or so. For many passengers on a Grand Canyon river trip, a hike up to Thunder River is pretty darn challenging and the long, hot, steep 8 miles ends up seeming more like 12. Many elements like weather, group abilities, timing and position of other trips must all align to make this difficult but rewarding hike happen!

Thunder River is fed by Thunder Springs, where icy cold, ancient pristine water comes gushing out of the Red Wall Limestone on one of the hottest, driest slopes in all of Grand Canyon. I have heard that this is the first time this water has been above ground in over 30,000 years! Thunder River drops over 1200 feet in 1/2 mile before joining with Tapeats Creek, which then eventually feeds into the Colorado River.

A unique network of plant, animal, bird and insect species, including the endangered Kanab Ambersnail and the Purple Sage depend on this precious desert resource. You may assume that springs like this within the National Park are protected, but this is not always so. This aquifer along with other other North and South Rim aquifer fed springs are threatened by current and certainly future ground water withdraws. Those of us who have lived and worked in Grand Canyon for multiple decades would probably agree that for many years our springs really didn’t change all that much. Now, along with rapidly dropping lake levels, our Grand Canyon springs are also drying up, sadly including Dutton Springs and Vasey’s Paradise. In the geological time frame, this may not seem like much, and it’s not. Without humans, it won’t take long for the rest of nature to recover. And, it also seems that despite the looming reality of climate change and long term drought that humans aren’t really doing much about it, and as a whole, are we really taking it seriously? But, when the Southwest soon runs dry and we no longer have water for agriculture, cows, fake snow and golf courses, then maybe, the whole of people will think and act differently.

I am grateful that the Southwest received such a bountiful 2023 Winter. Our trees are getting a much needed long, deep drink, our aquifers are replenished for a season or two and for a beautiful handful of weeks, we have had the Rio de Flag bubbling wild and free (like a real creek!) through town. Water is Life!

Original and prints available at West of the Moon Gallery

Signed and numbered, archival prints available. Matted for standard frame sizes: 11×17, 16×24, 20×30″.

or 5×7 art card with envelope

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