Mile 133 - Tapeats Creek & Thunder River

Tapeats Creek and Thunder River drain the north side of the canyon with spring water and melted snow. Tapeats Creek gracefully cascades through an open valley for several miles before reaching the main river. Roughly three miles from the Colorado, Thunder River rushes out of a limestone cleft and rumbles down a steep slope before joining forces with Tapeats. Backpackers frequent this area, hiking into the canyon from the rim. River runners intent on exploring the drainage often hike up Tapeats to the top of Thunder, then across Surprise Valley before dropping into the next large drainage called Deer Creek.