Show 1 thunder hohder river 1 1 thunder river a tributary ot of crek broek Is located in the extreme northwestern north western corner comer of grand canyon national parle park creek is formed near tile the north rim of grand canyon by springs spring and the drainage from several side canyons and flows in a westerly direction to its junction with thunder river from which point the remainder of the course to ta confluence with the colorado river is is in a sou th w westerly sterlyn dl direction thunder river Is only about one ohe halt half mile in length from where the ho waters of thunder spring that hat form this stream gush from front the cliff in tile the bright angel shale about 30 30 feet below tb the e redwall Linies limestone tolie drop to feet in a se series rie 9 of falls and then then cascade eastward down the iho steep steel slope to a right angle junction idith with creek the distance from the junction of creek and thunder river downstream to the colorado river Is approximately approximate ay 2 miles and tills this hike has been milde inside in I 1 J hours to a point where the colorado lorado po was visible although the going difficult over the broken rock ledges and jumbled boulders of the lower canyon the picturesque name thunder river no doubt originated from the constant roar produced as the waters of thunder spring rush down the steep incline to join creek maj major or john wesley powell leader of the first expedition through grand canyon by boat in 1869 stopped at the mouth of creek and gave it if that name after I 1 a plute flute indian in his employ discovery of thunder spring and thunder river Is set as 19 1904 0 4 but due e to the of access ah t 1 I w colip comparatively vely few persons have visited the area since then at tho the time of the establishment of granil grand canyon national park in 1919 the unique thunder river area was carefully included within the park paik boundaries to protect the outstanding scenic values found there therefore all visitors to this remote section of the park are cautioned that rules and regulations or of conduct applying to grand granad canyon national tio nal park tit in general are also in force in this section and consequently the destruction injury defacement removal or disturbance in ili any mannerow manner manne ot any trees fl flowers oVers vegetation rocks miner at al formations animals birds or other wildlife or any ruin or rel el le lc should be avoided big saddle hunting camp near the head of the ilia of the trail loading leading down to thunder river may be reached via a dirt road from fredonia Fre donla arizona to ryan and big springs Kalb tib national forest ranger station past the pine flat hunting camp to big saddle a distance or of about 60 inglesi int allea lesi the other approach la Is a gravel road front from kaibab lodge on the paved entrance road to 0 o the north rini rim of grand canyon national park via dry park ranger station t to 0 big saddle 18 miles little saddle camp I 1 at the a actual c head of the trail Is 3 mutely 10 miles froni from big saddle saable and tho the road between these two locations la Is rough rutted and rocky and during wet or snowy periods la Is impassable for modern automobiles under favorable weather conditions it Is I 1 feast feasible ble to plan on driving nil all of t the way to the head of tho the trail at little saddle where it la Is advisable to C camp amp overnight before starting down to thunder ni alver verIn in planning ning to camp overnight in the trevi vicinity of big saddle or little saddle it should be borne la in mind that wa water ter suitable for human Is not available in tills this locality loci lity anti and ample supplies sUP Piles for camp use should be hauled in water for stock may be available in one of the dirt tanks nearby the trail distance from little saddle to creek Is approximately lei miles leaving little litile saddle lethe the trail drops down 0 ver over the kaibab limestone and coconino sandstone SaAd stone formations in aserlee a series of to the sand rocks of df the formation approximately one mile west of tile the starting point on oil the ram rm prom from there the trail turns eastward and meanders along he sand rocks far about twelve twelver miles atles to the point where it starts aown dova der spring n 9 fia from M 0 the e top of the It edwall down past thunder spring along thunder river to creek Is approximately smiles it should be kept in mind that these are not measured dis inn ances ces but are the ilia average of estimates by several persons persona who have made the trip there bisno Is no drinking inking di water along the trail until thunder river Is reached except ex capt following rain water should be carried in canteens cain teens to many persons the thrill of visiting such a beautiful and isolated location as thunder river Is faill compensation but we should point out that excellent fishing Is found in creek w which was re stocked with alth rainbow trout in 1940 when national park service rangers packed in several thousand trout fry that 11 have i ave since reached reported of as much as 2 34 pounds un under der tho the lav favorable orble jil influences fluen flue nees ces of ample food and 1111 little fishing the stream hid had been previously blocked by the V U S forest service thunder river and creek are open to fishing oil all year but an arizona Arizo iia state license is required and slate has limits govern the number and weight of fish that thai mayi be taken experienced hikers may safely make the trip to thunder river but they s should hood be properly equipped and prepared to carry in all of the food extra clothing bed rolls first aid supplies etc necessary for tile the length of stay planned the difference in ili elevation between the head of the trail at little saddle and thunder spring la Is about feet and the hike down hai limbeek been made in 7 hours io 10 hours houra or more being required for the return trip from this it can readily be seen that only experienced hikers in good condition should attempt the trip there aremo are no good topographic MAP nials or of tills this particular region available av but a map showing sho ang sons some of the principal features may be secured by writing to th the 6 supervisor kalbak national forest williams arzona arizona big saddle little saddle and most of the trail leading down to thunder river are located on an tile the kalbac national forest due to the lik likelihood of sudden making roads on the snowstorms snow storms north rim impassable it Is not generally advisable to plan a trip to thunder riv river er earlier in the spring than may nor later then october unless ono one Is accompanied acco nipan by a local guide arrangements for pack trip to thunder spring and thunder river may bo be made with mr air hado hade churchon Church Chur chot Gf kanab utah or with billy also of kanab who has guided visitors into this remote area the following articles relating to thunder river are suggested as pim possible sible sources of f additional information thunder river I 1 an adventure in ili the canyon by jon Joli breedi reea laurat lauritzen arizona Ail zonia highways magazine agazine Mi of juno june 1941 thundering waters t by philip hll ferry volume no 6 natural june 1949 f i 1 i i |