Description
I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.
Moved
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuweep, a remote western view of Grand Canyon
Scrape marks on the slick rock that’s called road, not ours
After the five hour drive over washboard then slick rock road we pulled into a full campground around 5pm.
A fellow camper offered us parking in his large space as rules allow two vehicles per site. He pulled out the next morning.
Had a quick spaghetti dinner then walked the 1 mile (1.6 km) to the Tuweep overlook for sunset.
No disappointment here looking upstream.
Then we boulder hopped along the rim towards the west looking straight down about 3000 feet (914 m) into the Colorado River.
By the time we got to a good overlook downstream the light was gone, but the view sure wasn’t.
We walked back to camp by flashlight and saw this darkling beetle scurrying across our path. Sure glad it wasn’t one of the many snakes reportedly seen by the camphost.
The next morning after breakfast we walked back to the rim again.
Tuweep sits at an elevation of 4600 feet (1400 m) on a landform known as the Esplanade which forms a flat shelf situated about halfway between the coniferous forests of the North Rim and the hot canyon bottom.
A chaparral community thrives in Tuweep Valley with juniper and pinyon, sagebrush and saltbush, Mormon tea and other woody shrubs, and various grasses.
Nearer the Esplanade succulent cacti, yucca, and agave predominate.
Upstream
At less than one mile across the canyon to the Hualapai Indian Reservation on the South Rim, this is one of narrowest and deepest segments of the inner canyon.
Sandstone bedding planes and erosion
The colorful redrock from the Hermit shale and Supai sandstones to the east…
…contrasts with the black, basaltic lava flows to the west.
More than a dozen times in the last 7 million years lava spilled over the canyon rim damming the Colorado River.
The river eroded these lava dams and continued its downward cutting to where it is now 50 feet (15 m) deeper than the base of the dams.
Downstream
As the sun rose higher so did the temperatures.
We just couldn’t hang around during the heat of the day.
Eroded sandstone
So we headed back to camp for lunch in the afternoon shade of a large boulder next to our site.
On the way we saw water pockets in the slick rock. When moisture fills these pools fairy and horseshoe shrimp, tiny frogs and microscopic organisms emerge from the muddy bottoms.
It is important to walk only on the trail as the surrounding ground supports a rare and sensitive crusty black cryptobiotic soil. This complex community of lichens, algae, and bacteria takes years to grow.
Downstream
After hanging out in camp being lazy all day, we once again headed to the rim for sunset.
Upstream
I just couldn’t stop taking photos.
Nor did I want to leave.
But in the morning we hit the dusty road for the long drive back.
At least we didn’t end up like this.
To view Mike's birthday video go here. Hoping this works.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
SWF – Smokey sundown at the canyon
The prescribed burns cause smoke to hang over the canyon which leads to colorful sunsets.
To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking the image above.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Getting to Tuweep
Just getting to Tuweep, or Toroweap, (which means dry valley in Paiute) proved to be a major part of the adventure.
After an hour and a half drive on pavement we hit one of the three gravel roads to Tuweep called the Sunshine Route. 61 miles (98 km) of washboard and dust.
This “route” took us through Antelope Valley.
Past Mt Trumbull…
…which has erupted about a dozen times causing lava to flow across the land and into the canyon.
Then we drove into Tuweep Valley.
Where there is evidence of ranches.
Seems like we’d never get to the canyon.
Finally, we approached the boundary into Grand Canyon National Park.
Where the Tuweep Ranger station is located.
The road deteriorates along the last six miles of slick rock as the scenery just gets better.
Guess this old road grater hasn’t been in operation in many years.
We could finally see Tuweep Point.
And after five hours arrived at the turn off for the Tuweep campground. More coming.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Going to Toroweap, finally
It’s Mike’s birthday, and we have three days off to celebrate. So, I’m giving him an adventure. Of course it requires a 3 hour drive on 65 miles of washboard gravel road followed by 3 miles of slick rock. All worth it for my Honey and this iconic view. Not my photo, but I should have some good ones coming. Geez, I’m not even done posting the trip to Bryce Canyon, or the trip to South Africa. But I’ll be done working soon so maybe will have more time. To continue exploring that is.