Horn Creek Rapid can be a wake-up call for Grand Canyon Whitewater passengers who have just boarded the rafts for the first time after hiking into the Grand Canyon for a Lower Canyon rafting trip! Horn Creek Rapid is the first big rapid located just downstream of Phantom Ranch at about mile 90 on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.

There are several different theories on how Horn Creek got its name, but my personal favorite is that the name comes from the two big boulders at the top of the rapid that make it look like the rapid has horns. Depending on the water level, boaters either will totally avoid the horns by going to the right of both boulders or, sometimes, they will “split the horns” and go between the two big boulders. Either way, rafters are in for a wild ride! Horn Creek is the shortest yet steepest rapid in Grand Canyon. Hang on!

Photo Right: Copyright Ani Stube, Grand Canyon River Guide http://www.anistubefineart.com/  Ani’s rendition of Horn Creek Rapid.

Photo: Grand Canyon Whitewater river guide prepares passengers for HORN Creek Rapid!