This purple and green shale formed in the sea during the Cambrian Period about 550 million years ago. Redbud trees and pools add to the beauty. The Nankoweap and Little Nankoweap form a large delta with many places to camp and explore. A short, steep hike leads up to an impressive row of granaries constructed by ancestral pueblo people. Hikers could spend days exploring Nankoweap Canyon and its tributaries or even hike out to the North Rim on the Nankoweap Trail.
Most river runners prefer shorter explorations in the area.
The two large rafts beached where the rivers meet can barely be seen from this height. When the Little Colorado isn't in flood, you'll see blue waters from mineral-rich springs in its canyon. Hiking books describe some of these routes. Ask around at Desert View, Tusayan Ruins, and the Backcountry Office to find a ranger knowledgeable in these areas. See the Cameron section in Arizona Handbook or Grand Canyon Handbook for details on obtaining Navajo tribal permits to explore this remote country east of the Grand Canyon.