Though the current of the Colorado is so
strong, there are times and places where it affords one who is not
over-fastidious as to the color of the water, an opportunity for an
excellent swim.
But care must be exercised. At the foot of Bass Trail,
there are two or three rocky recesses where one may go in and swim, within
the arms of the protecting rocks, without danger. It is not well to swim in
the earlier months of the year, when the water is excessively cold. Several
times in January and February I have been overcome with temptation, and
have jumped in "merely for the plunge." The sensation is one of being
skinned alive, and one plunge is all that one cares for. Yet on emerging
and dressing, how fine one feels after it. The great melting time of the
snows on the mountains is the end of May, June and early July. It grows
warmer in July, and from then on to December one may enjoy it. In September
and October it is generally deliciously warm, and I have gone in half a
dozen times a day. A good swimmer can cross the stream, if he does not lose
his head, for the current is powerful, and one is borne down far faster
than he imagines, and it is much further across than it seems to be.
Several times, when I have wanted to cross, and there was no boat, I have
swam across to the other side, wearing my shirt and trousers and carrying
my boots slung around my neck. But it is, hard work and scarcely worth the
risk.
An Exciting Swim. Last year at the foot of the Red Canyon Trail, I had two
most delightful swims - one on the night of the arrival of our party, the
other by starlight next morning. Though there is an ugly rapid at this
place, one may go up stream far enough to get away from danger, for a
half-moon-shaped mass of rock affords safe shelter, and deep enough water
for swimming. The night swim was so refreshing that I could not resist the
allurement to take another in the morning, before we left camp. The order
had been given for an early start, which meant breakfast at earliest dawn,
so that I had to go down to the river while the stars were yet shining. The
water was quite warm, and as soon as I felt myself in its soothing embrace
a half-dreamy mood came over me, and, throwing myself upon my back, I
yielded to it, quietly pushing myself, as I thought, against the stream,
but heading for the other side. Though conscious of the enjoyment of the
exercise, and the delicious sensation of the water around my body, my
thoughts ran away with me, and I suddenly awoke to myself and the full
significance of my surroundings by finding myself more than half-way across
the river, in the swiftest part of the current, which was rapidly carrying
me down to the rapids.
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