Canyon Dave Tours

19/05/2025

Lightning Strikes!

High on the Colorado Plateau, powerful storms are a regular summer visitor, and so is lightning.

At this elevation, with sparse tree cover and dramatic vertical relief, lightning often seeks the tallest object in sight. That means trees, ridgelines… or even people.

This recent photo by our guide John shows the aftermath of high-altitude weather where a spring storm destroyed a rim side juniper tree.

The Grand Canyon region is especially prone to lightning during monsoon season (July–September), when warm desert air collides with cooler mountain air to create intense afternoon thunderstorms.

🌩️ Reminder: When storms approach, seek shelter immediately. Lightning can strike miles ahead of the storm.

07/05/2025

Two of the most common copper minerals found near the surface are malachite (bright green) and azurite (deep blue). These minerals form when copper ores oxidize, and they’re often the first signs that something special is happening underground.

In desert environments, where water is scarce and minerals are rich, malachite, azurite and other forms of copper can dissolve slowly into slightly acidic rainwater. 

As this water trickles through fractures and porous rock, it becomes loaded with copper ions. If the water passes through aluminum and phosphate rich layers, a new mineral begins to form—turquoise.

Hydrogen, copper, aluminum, phosphate, and a touch of water combine to create turquoise, forming in tiny seams and pockets. The sky-blue mineral solidifies within the host rock, often leaving behind a mosaic pattern of color and stone. That surrounding material is known as the matrix, and it gives each piece of turquoise its own unique personality.

01/05/2025

In the summer of 1889, naturalist C. Hart Merriam set out on a survey to study the plants and animals throughout northern Arizona. Traveling up the San Francisco Peaks and through the Grand Canyon, Merriam observed something profound: the plants and animals around him changed predictably as he climbed higher in elevation—just as they do when moving northward across the continent.

This observation became the foundation for Merriam’s life zone concept, a pioneering ecological theory that would shape the way scientists understood the distribution of life across landscapes. His work helped establish the Grand Canyon and its surrounding mountains as not only geological marvels, but also important ecological laboratories.

This makes the Grand Canyon one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. Within the 50 miles from the top of Humphrey’s peak to the bottom of the canyon floor, 10000 ft of vertical drop results in 5 major life zones occurring in this one area.

30/04/2025

As the Canyon warms with spring sunshine, reptiles begin to reappear—and one of the most common sights is the Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus). These agile little climbers are often seen basking on rocks, logs, and tree trunks. Males flash bright blue bellies and colorful throats in territorial displays, while both sexes blend in surprisingly well with their surroundings.

23/04/2025

As the Little Colorado river floods we see a surge of color down the Colorado river itself. Mineral rich turquoise water followed by sediment rich muddy water.

A few days ago a spring snowstorm hit Northern Arizona. Once the storm passed the blanket of snow melted quickly causing creeks and stream to flood with water.

The Little Colorado River is a significant tributary of the Colorado River, flowing through eastern Arizona. It originates in the White Mountains, then winds its way north and west, eventually joining the main Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

In this tributary, the river flows through areas of limestone and travertine deposits. Water percolates through these rocks, picking up calcium carbonate along the way. The mineral-rich water reflects sunlight in a way that gives it that stunning milky-blue or turquoise appearance.

But—this color isn’t consistent year-round. During heavy rains or snowmelt, when the river is carrying more sediment and debris, it can turn muddy brown.

11/04/2025

Pop Quiz! Can you name the 10 major layers of Grand Canyon? Swipe to find out

04/04/2025

The view from Lipan point

The Lipan Apache are a Native American people who traditionally lived in what is now Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. They are one of several Apache groups, known for their adaptability, mobility, and fierce resistance to colonization.

Part of the larger Athabaskan language family, which includes many tribes spread from Alaska to the American Southwest.

The name “Lipan” means “The Light Gray People,” combining the Lipan word for a light gray color (łépai) and the word for “the people” (indeh or ndé). In Apache belief, the Earth is a sacred circle with each direction represented by a color: North = White, West = Yellow, South = Blue, and East = Black

The Lipan journeyed from the white North toward the black East, blending white and black, defining them as light gray. The Lipan’s migration story is encoded in their name, tying identity to geography, spirituality, and origin.

In the early 1800s, the Lipan formed alliances with Anglo settlers, helping them adapt to the land and supporting Texas in its fight for independence from Mexico. Despite their loyalty, once Texas became a U.S. state in 1845, the Lipan faced broken promises, displacement, disease, warfare, and starvation. By 1880, many Lipan were scattered along the Rio Grande, some fleeing to Mexico or blending into surrounding communities to survive.

Today, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas is a united and sovereign Native American tribe with a population of about 4,500 members. Though once divided into bands, they now stand as one community. Recognized by the Texas Legislature, they work to preserve their traditions, language, ceremonies, and sacred history.

02/04/2025

I would like to take a moment to talk about the tour we had with Keaton on Sunday. I cannot believe what a tour we had. Keaton was very knowledgeable on so much of the history and geology of the park. He has such a wealth of knowledge and was very respectful of the tour group that he was working with. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone, whether it is the first time in the park or your 100th. My Husband and I talked quite extensively after we got home and felt that we could not have even come close to seeing what we did if it was not for Keaton. Do not use any other tour guide or service other than Canyon Dave tours and I hope that you are lucky enough to get Keaton. They are a “5+” star company and we are so glad Circle Pines KOA recommended them. Keep up the good work Keaton and I hope we get to see you again.

22/03/2025

20/03/2025

Desert Globemallow. This beautiful orange flower blooms all along the canyon rim in spring and summer.

15/03/2025

Cloud inversions occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler, denser air and moisture below. Spring storms in northern Arizona make for the perfect mix of cold/warm air to see clouds forming within the Grand Canyon!