Camping here at Crystal can be a blessing because there are some nice side hikes up Crystal Creek as well as just watching the amazing power of the crashing waves of the rapid. However, it can also be un-nerving to spend the night here because of the anticipation of facing Crystal Rapid first thing the next morning. In this panorama the delta from Crystal Creek is clearly visible. It is the out wash from Crystal Creek that creates the huge rapid. Just a very few yards below the confluence of Crystal Creek, and on the other side of the river, is where Slate Creek flows into the Colorado. Slate Creek has also deposited a significant amount of debris to create what is sometimes called Lower Crystal Rapid. Another hundred yards or so down river is another deposit of large boulders known as the "rock garden". Combining all the holes, big waves, and rocks, Crystal is considered by many as the most difficult rapid on the river. You can view this and other panoramas of the Grand Canyon, including associated maps and more detailed descriptions, at GCPano.org. You can directly view this panorama at url: https://project.gcpano.org/?enterAt=CrystalRapid.pan GCPano.org