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We watched and wondered and at last concluded that this was the forefront of a vast body of water rolling down this narrow trough from some great cloud…burst above。 （We learned afterwards that there had been such a cloud…burst on the head…waters of the Little Colorado。） Believing that discretion was the better part of valor； we camped right there on that pile of rocks； fearing that； although our boats would ride the waves in safety； we might be caught in one of these rolls just at the head of a rapid； and； unable to stop； be carried over the rapid with the additional force of the rushing breakers。〃
High and Low Water。 The piles of driftwood found on the rocks in the Canyon reveal a difference of upwards of two hundred feet between high and low water。 This； however； does not refer to the general condition of high water； but to exceptional cases。 As； for instance； I myself once saw a mass of rock； the whole face of the cliff； containing doubtless millions of tons； fall into the trough of the stream。 The whole course was at once dammed up； and the river rose sixty feet in one hour before the principal mass of rock was made topheavy by the power of the flood。 Then it rolled over with the force of the millions of tons of water behind it； and crumbled as it rolled。 The mighty wave dashed on； carrying everything before it。 In less than another hour the rock mass had disappeared； and the water had resumed its normal level。 A rise of fifty to seventy feet is not so very unusual in the heart of the gorge； where it is narrow and the waters would necessarily pile up。 To see such a rise； without any evidence of a rain above； is a wonderful experience that one occasionally enjoys。
Snow on the Rim。 Another remarkable contrast is observed by winter tourists。 On the rim at El Tovar； Grand View； or Bass Camp snow may fall during December； January and February； and sometimes in March； though it quickly disappears。 This is not surprising when one considers the high altitudes。 The weather is then sometimes quite frigid； but it is a dry cold which rapidly yields to the warm midday sun。 Do not imagine from this general statement that winter； as we know it in the East； is the usual thing at the Canyon。 Quite the reverse。 There are more sunshiny； warm； windless； stormless and no…snow days than otherwise； taking one year with another。 Real winter weather often stays away until well into January。 Some years it is a negligible quantity。 At no time need it be feared by the traveller。
Trails in Winter。 The trails for half a mile； or even a mile； down into the Canyon； during a part of the winter； are sometimes covered with light snow。 As soon as the snow line is passed； the climate begins to change。 The cold is less penetrating； and by and by one enters what might be called a temperate zone。 Warmer and more comfortable it becomes； until； on reaching the river； the word 〃delicious〃 alone conveys the rich sense of satisfaction that one feels all over the body in the delightful sensation experienced。 No time is so agreeable for a long stay in the depths of the Canyon as in the heart of winter。 A semi…tropical climate below； while above； within three hours easy ride； a snowy winter may be reigning supreme！
Winter in the Canyon。 Robert Brewster Stanton； who made his successful trip through the Canyon in wintertime； comments on this as follows： 〃It has been the fortune of but few to travel along the bottom of the great chasm for a whole winter； while around you bloom the sweet flowers； and southern birds sing on almost every bush； and at the same time far above； among the upper cliffs； rage and roar； like demons in the air； the grandest and most terrific storms of wind and snow and sleet that I have ever witnessed； even above the clouds among the summit peaks of the Rocky Mountains。〃
Change in the Flora。 This climatic diversity above and below is noticeable all through the year to the man or woman of sharp eyes； in the difference of the flowers； the shrubs； and the trees。 Above are the pines； the cedars； and junipers of the cooler climes。 The further down one goes； the greater the change becomes。 The pines drop out； then the cedars and junipers； and when one reaches the patches of growth in the lowest depths； the agave； and other plants and flowers that we find only in semi…tropical climates here grow profusely。
Indian Garden。 Another difference between the 〃above〃 and the 〃below〃 is found in the fact that a garden is almost unknown on the rim； and that there are many down below。 On the Bright Angel Trail is the Indian Garden； where； for many years； the Havasupais used to cultivate their corn； beans； onions and melons。 Along the Shinumo； on the north side； Mr。 Bass has a garden where all these things grow； where peaches； plums； grapes； and apricots have thriven abundantly； and where now he is planting figs； lemons； oranges and grape…fruit。 The Havasupais； in the depths of their Canyon； grow the finest； largest and most tender corn in the world； peaches and figs galore； and all the ordinary vegetables。 Boucher also has fruit and vegetables on the level near the river； on his trail。 At Lee's Ferry also； Elder Emet has his gardens and orchards； as well as fine alfalfa fields。 Nothing is more delightful than to come； after a hot journey down the trail； to these unexpected oases in the heart of the canyons。
Soil on the River and in the Canyon。 The soil of the 〃above；〃 too； largely differs from the soil of the 〃below。〃 On the plateaus above； there are millions of acres； most of which careful examination shows to be covered with disintegrated rock and comparatively little vegetable soil； except below the surface。 The winds and rains have carried away the softer and lighter soil； and allowed the heavier and harder rocks to remain。 This process goes on all the time。 In the depths of the Canyon； however； except on the steeper slopes； the soil remains。
The Silence on the Rim。 A remarkable contrast between the rim and the Canyon is sometimes found in the absolute silence above； and the roar of the river below。 It often occurs that not a sound of any kind can be heard on the rim but one's breathing and the beating of his own heart。 One morning I lay for an hour before I arose； and during the whole of that time； though I listened again and again； not the slightest sound reached my ears save the two named。
Song of the River。 Now descend to the river and； day or night； early or late； June or December； hot or cold； wet or dry； fair or stormy； the roar and rush； fret and fume of the water is never out of one's ears。 Even when asleep it seems to 〃seep〃 in through the benumbed senses； and tell of its never…ending flow。 After a few weeks of it； one comes away and finds he cannot sleep。 He misses it and finds himself unable to sleep away from the accustomed noise。
The Wind。 In nothing is the difference of 〃above〃 and 〃below〃 more marked than in the wind。 Last night on the rim the wind blew almost a gale。 The pines sang loudly； and one could hear their roar for miles。 A dozen times I awoke and listened to their weird music。 If you go outdoors； the wind plays with your hair； and tosses garments to and fro with frolicsome glee； or even； at times； with apparent angry fury。 There are times when the wind comes toward you； on the rim； with a rapidity and force that are startling。 Every one has had the experience of hearing a military band approaching from a distance。
As it comes nearer； the sound grows louder and louder； and if it approaches with great rapidity； as for instance； in an automobile or a speeding electric car； the music assails the ear with an increasing force that is a surprise。 It is just so with the noises of the wind at the rim of the Canyon。
Now leave the rim and walk down the trail a couple of rods。 All is quiet and still。 The change is startling m its suddenness。 The wind may be blowing far above you； and if you listen； you will hear its effect in the trees； but here； where you stand； you are protected and sheltered。
Diversity of Color。 Perhaps the greatest difference between the rim and the interior of the Canyon is found in the diversity in color and feature between them。 While there is a fascination to the long； wide stretches of plateau