Confluence of the Little Colorado

The confluence of the Little Colorado River was a striking meeting of waters, where the deep green of the Colorado mingled with the surreal turquoise-blue flow of the Little Colorado. As we rowed toward the junction, the canyon seemed to open slightly, revealing soft, sculpted limestone ledges and a broad, shallow channel where the lighter water shimmered vividly against the darker current. We pulled the dory to shore and stepped out onto warm, smooth rocks, the air thick with the sound of rushing water and the gentle rustle of wind through tamarisk and willow along the banks. The Little Colorado’s mineral-rich water glowed milky blue, almost luminous under the midday sun, and felt cool and silky as we waded into its shallows. Small travertine shelves and pools lined the edges, their soft cascades adding a musical undertone to the scene. The confluence had an energy that felt both calm and alive, a meeting place not just of rivers but of colors, textures, and time. We lingered here, letting the cool water wash over us and taking in the rare beauty of two rivers blending together in the heart of the canyon.