01/11/2019
The Colorado river leaving the Grand Canyon.
I love to go take my dogs to the Colorado. This is where the Grand Canyon rafters take out, at the end of Pierce Ferry Rd.
About 20 miles or so from Meadview, the last 7 miles are a well maintained, although sometimes bumpy (washboard) dirt road. Even the smallest rental car can make it, just take your time!
Half the road used to be covered by Lake Mead, but due to the drought, the park service built the new dirt road so the rafters have a place to get out of the river before the RAPIDS -- so dangerous, they destroyed the park rangers' boat.
To the right of the boat ramp we have a large beach when the Colorado runs low. This year the beach flooded every evening on the few occasions when I made it to the river, but we still found nice flat spaces for our beach chairs just a few feet up from the river.
It's also AMAZING to feel the difference in summer temperatures at the river compared to just a few feet up. The Colorado and Lake Mead are about 2500 ft lower than Meadview and of course it's very HOT in summer. However, especially with a little breeze, it is significantly cooler right by the water.
I LOVE the river on hot summer afternoons / eves. In winter I try to get there by 1 pm -- again, it's much warmer than Meadview.
No big crowds, you might see the river runners take out their rafts and once they leave, you often have the beach to yourself.
