Natural Wonder- A boat ride to Rainbow Bridge

World's highest natural bridge formed in a Triassic age sandstone stands in a remote, rugged and an isolated canyon. Native Americans hold it sacred for centuries who call it Nonnezoshe which means Rainbow turned into stone. Rainbow Bridge with a span of 234ft can be reached by a 2-hour boat ride on the waters of Lake Powell and a mile long easy hike. It is one of the most easily accessible large arches in the world. Though the Bridge Creek didn't have any water flowing the bridge and the surrounding landscape was enchanting!

Lake Powell

I drove from Monument Valley to Page which is nearest town to Wahweep Marina in Glen Canyon Recreational Area from where the boat ride starts. Page is also a base for people who visit the Antelope Slot Canyons. The sky looked too stormy in the early morning and I was waiting with my fingers crossed until the boat took off. The tour gets cancelled if weather plays spoilsport. The tour to this aloof goddess starts at 8:00AM and ends by 3:00PM, that is total of 7 hours. The cost of the trip is US$125. Complementary coffee is available in the boat.

Rainbow Bridge and the dried up Bridge Creek

The weather was cold and windy with no sign of Sun. The faint light behind the clouds suggested that Sun is hiding behind somewhere. The boat seemed to chase the dark clouds. After a while as the sky cleared little by little the rocks lining the lake were clearly visible. The very silent Glen Canyon Recreation area became more and more silent as the boat rode deep into the waters of Colorado river.

First glimpse of the Bridge

The deep blue waters of Colorado river lined with the weird sandstone rock formations with color bands, damp and dim landscape, strong merciless wind, bone biting cold, and the only noise of the running boat. I sat there on the top-open deck watching, feeling and listening. Occasionally, one or two tour-mates would come up with iPads,  or cameras for few pictures. Few lost their caps, well the wind blew them away into the river.

It was one of the best experiences when the boat turned away from the river into the side canyon towards the bridge. The canyon walls were high and colorful. The waterway became narrower and narrower and there was only place for one boat to move forward. Wow! Though I am not good at motion pictures I took a video just for the record which I am sharing with you. Who knows? It may inspire you huh? From the dock visitors have to walk up to the bridge. It seems when the water level is high the boat goes near the bridge it seems. But, I didn't see any water in the creek t all! But, the walk in that silent, cool and peaceful canyon is the best experience of the tour.

Dinosaur Tracks, Last glimpse of the Bridge and The Boat

The Native Americans hold this bridge very sacred and hence their feelings may hurt if visitors treat the place disrespectfully by littering, approaching and walking under the bridge. The area around the bridge is closed o visitors. Though it is perfectly legal to approach or walk through the bridge nobody did. The silent canyon definitely is divine! The time given to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the place seems very less.

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Just imagine dinosaurs walking around in this silent, remote and rugged canyon! Well, right near the bridge there are dinosaur tracks imprinted on the rocks! It is just beyond my imagination what else is hidden in this heavenly beautiful and wonderfully serene place!

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This post is linked to Skywatch Friday.

If you want pictures please ask me :)
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Scrapbook- A Travel Blog by Kusum Sanu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.