Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and other times it's the complete opposite. You've seen the pictures of the Colorado Plateau and now you can explore it vicariously. Run the rapids or walk the canyons, live life or die. It's all here. If you have any other great reads the southwest or colorado plateau I'd like to see them in the comments. I'll also take this space to showcase some of
works that fit the list.
Desert Solitaire – Edward Abbey (He pretty much says it all. All of his work is worth a read)
The man who walked through time – Colin Fletcher
(Travel with Colin as he becomes the first person to walk a continuous route through Grand Canyon National Park 1963)
The exploration of the colorado river and its canyons - John Wesley Powell (and he did it with only one arm)
Beyond the Hundredth Medidian - Wallace Stegner
We swam the Grand Canyon – Bill Beer
(Go with Bill and John Daggett as they “swim” through the Grand Canyon)
The doing of the thing: the brief, brilliant whitewater career of Buzz Holmstrom – Vince White
(In 1937 Buzz was the first person to solo the Colorado River from Green River, Wyoming to Boulder Dam)
Grand Canyon Treks 1, 2 and 3 – Harvey Butchart
(You could say it’s his canyon. He was eventually credited with discovering over 100 rim-to-river routes within the canyon. Butchart kept a detailed log of his explorations, which would eventually reach over 1000 pages. He recorded 1024 days spent in the canyon, and over 12,000 miles (19,000 km) walked. He climbed 83 summits within the canyon, and scaled the walls at 164 places, claiming 25 first-ascents.
Grand obsession: Harvey Butchart and the exploration of Grand Canyon – Elias Butler
On desert trails with Everett Ruess – Everett Ruess
(After his disappearance in 1934 this collection of his letters and artwork was compiled to record his back country travels with his burro.)
The Place no one knew: Glen Canyon on the Colorado – Eliot Porter
(A photographic essay on Glen Canyon before the Dam)
Grand Canyon Women – Betty Leavengood (15 profiles of exceptional women)
Canyon – Michael Ghiglieri (A river guide takes you on his trips through Grand Canyon with thought on its history and geology.)
Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon – Michael Ghigleri & Thomas Myers
Fascinating read. The chapter on flash floods will unnerve you the next time it rains. Every death documented and it’s amazing how many disappear without a trace.
Between a rock and a hard place - Aron Ralston (Wow!)
Down the Great Inknown - Edward Dolnick
Undaunted Courage - Stephen Ambrose (Not quite canyon country but what an adventure.)
Rock Art and Ruins of the Southwest
Ancient Ruins of the Southwest – David Grant Noble
Legacy on Stone – Sally J. Cole
Guidebooks
Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau – Michael Kelsey
Hiking and exploring Utah’s San Rafael Swell – Michael Kelsey
A traveler’s guide to the geology of the Colorado plateau – Donald Baars
Hiking the Southwest's Canyon Country - Sandra Hinchman
Hiking Death Valley - Michael Digonnet