When most people think of John Wesley Powell’s journeys in 1869 and 1871, they think of the wreck at Disaster Falls; the hardships of Cataract Canyon; the famous quote in the Grand Canyon: "We are now ready to start on our way down the Great Unknown." But the upper stretches of the Green, including Flaming Gorge, Horseshoe, Kingfisher, and Red Canyons, were where the crew members gained their first experiences handling the ungainly boats, experienced their first thrills of fast water, and ran and portaged their first rapids. In those remote and little-known canyons in Wyoming and Utah, they first realized just what they were facing. Their experiences in Red Canyon, and in such dangerous rapids as Skull Creek and Ashley Falls, gave them their start in learning the skills that prepared them for dangers to come in the lower canyons. This event will take place via Zoom — sign up at johnwesleypowell.com/engaging-the-public/events/

This event is presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian exhibition Water|Ways, on display at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, April 3 to June 6, 2021.

Water/Ways is a part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution, Utah Humanities, and the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. All Water|Ways events are part of Think Water Utah, presented by Utah Humanities and its partners, is a statewide collaboration and conversation on the critical topic of water. For more information, see www.utahhumanities.org

***The health of our staff and visitors is our top priority. Masks are required and hand sanitizer will be available to all guests.***