(800) 786-7238 (RAFT)
info@azraft.com
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest
Tripadvisor

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

  • ADVENTURES
    • COMPARE ADVENTURES
    • CLASSIC ADVENTURE
    • MOTOR ADVENTURE
    • ALL-PADDLE ADVENTURE
    • SPECIALTY GRAND CANYON RAFTING ADVENTURES
  • RISKS & REWARDS
    • THE BIG PICTURE
    • RAFTING
    • HIKING
    • CAMPING
  • MORE
    • CHOOSING & RESERVING AN ADVENTURE
    • RESERVATION & CANCELLATION POLICIES
    • CONTACT US
    • REQUEST A BROCHURE
    • FAQ
    • AS THE EDDY SPINS BLOG
    • REPEAT ADVENTURERS
    • OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • PHOTOS & VIDEOS
    • NEWSLETTER
Shop

Grand Canyon: Three Deserts in One Canyon

January 11, 2013General Info, Grand Canyon Natural HistorySharon Hester
Plantbook

Grand Canyon Plant book

While most people realize that the ecosystems of the Grand Canyon are very different between the cool pine-treed clad high elevation rims and the dry and hot cactus dotted bottom, most people are not aware that the floor of the canyon has three different desert ecosystems within its walls.  In Grand Canyon, plants from three out of four of North America’s great desert regions are represented.  The three regions (Great Basin, Sonoran and Mojave Desert) make their appearance through plant life as you travel down river and down in elevation on your Grand Canyon rafting adventure. The Chihuahuan Desert of Northern Mexico and southern Texas and New Mexico is the one desert not represented in Grand Canyon.

While on your rafting journey down river, different plant species emerge along the way.  For example, at the beginning of your trip, Lee’s Ferry, at mile 0 and 3107 feet in elevation, there are the sagebrush and shad-scale species of the Great Basin Desert. A striking and common plant in this region is the Utah Agave, with its tall flowering stalk and broad spiked leaves. Going on down river, at approximately   mile 39, plants specific to the Sonoran Desert region begin to appear on the slopes.  The thorny mesquite and catclaw acacia trees are some of the plants from the Sonoran Desert that are first spotted from this point down.  Finally, at around mile 156, plants of the hotter and dryer Mojave Desert region begin to appear, such as creosote bush and certain cholla cactus species.

While there is some overlap of hundreds of plant species from the different regions, many plants cannot grow above or below specific elevations within the canyon.  The octopus armed Ocotillo makes its first appearance at mile 154, and none of these bizarre Alice in Wonderland cacti are seen above this river mile.  And the tall, movie set-like  Barrel  Cacti  are not seen before river mile 91, near Phantom Ranch.   Interestingly, when an 1889 photographic study was recreated 100 years later in 1989, the photographic results showed that the  Barrel  Cactus had moved over 10 miles upstream in 100 years.  This movement upstream is theorized to be due to warming temperatures and less hard frosts in the region.

If you are interested in plants, a wonderful book to take along on your trip or purchase afterwards is River and Desert Plants of the Grand Canyon coauthored by AzRA guide Kristin Harned (Husinga). This book not only has beautiful and detailed color photos of the plants, but also lists Native American medicinal uses of the plants along with unusual facts about many of the species.

By Sharon Hester

Like what you see on the AzRA blog? Sign up to receive an email notification when a new article is posted on the AzRA blog. Email used only for article notifications.

Safe and secure signup provided by Constant Contact.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

  • Books
  • Gear and Gifts
  • General Info
  • Geology
  • Grand Canyon Historical Figures
  • Grand Canyon Natural History
  • Guest Posts
  • Guide Profiles
  • Hiking Highlights
  • Images Contest
  • News
  • Rapids of Grand Canyon
  • Readings and Videos
  • River Recipes
  • Uncategorized
  • Wildlife

Recent Posts

  • Filtering, Purifying and Consuming Potable Water on Grand Canyon River Trips
  • Guide Profile-Chad Tucker
  • Grand Canyon Camping-How Rattlesnake Camp Got Its Name

  • Newsletter Signup

    Sign up for our email newsletter and get our three-part series about Grand Canyon River Trips! Learn what a Grand Canyon River adventure is all about and how to choose the right one for your group. The series is sent within a 10-day span. We do not sell or share your contact information with any third parties. See full details on our Privacy Policy page.

ABOUT ARIZONA RAFT ADVENTURES

About Us
Our Guiding Principles
Privacy Policy
Jobs
Contact Us
AzRA’s Code of Conduct
Employee Login

USEFUL ADVENTURE TOOLS

Request a Brochure
Red River Sports Retail Store
As the Eddy Spins Blog
Area Maps

Bright Angel Trail: Upper | Lower
Rates/Dates: 2023 | 2024
Useful Links

Southwest Guide – What to do in the Area
Our Assumption of Risk Form

Grand Canyon Trust Membership
MORE INFORMATION

Choosing and Reserving an Adventure
Reservation and Cancellation Policies
Emergency Preparedness & Evacuations
Travel Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Disabilities
Repeat Adventurers
Charter Adventures
Fishing
Trips on Sale
Photo/Video Gallery
Testimonials
E-Newsletters
2025 Opening Day List

Arizona Raft Adventures Trip Advisor 2019 Certificate of Excellence
Email
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest
Tripadvisor
Phone

© Arizona Raft Adventures Grand Canyon. All Rights Reserved.