Don’t look for me at any mall on Black Friday. Instead Mike and I are driving to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It might look like Christmas up there as they’ve gotten a little snow.
Then in the morning we’ll head down the South Kaibab trail, 7 miles, and camp for two nights at Bright Angel campground.
Catch ya’ when we return next week.
Of course there’s really no consistently bad place for sunsets.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Once Joan and I set up camp at Monks Cowl (see previous post) we went hiking 1.5 miles (2.5 km) round trip to Sterkspruit Falls outlook platform.
With all the rain and moderate temperatures many flowers still bloomed in fall.
The trail meanders through an indigenous forest of Ou Hout and Tree Fuscias according to the trail guide. We came across a neighbor’s wandering horses.
After the forest, the landscape dips and rolls from the natural depressions called pans or tarns that fill with rain water which deposits silt that seals the ground making it less permeable thus increasing its water-holding capability.
Tarns colonized by plants turn into a marsh.
Which entices a whole lot of life. And I Was traveling with the Bug Lady.
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is a bit patchworked with private land ownership and adjacent accomodations like the Champagne Castle Hotel seen from the trail when looking into the valley.
Cresting a small hill the descent brings into view the Sterkspruit Falls.
While Joan enjoyed a seat in the grasses watching bugs all around I continued a little ways and followed the trail over a stile.
And down to the Sterkspruit River with a dense forest consisting predominantly of Yellowwood trees towering above.
Tadpoles found refuge in the shallow pools.
As the river flowed down from the heights above.
On the way back we saw more flowers, bugs and lizards flitting, usually away from the camera.
And back in camp the crows hung around.
We drove from Wagendrift near Escort on N3 west to Monks Cowl
Joan and I left Wagendrift Nature Reserve and continued into the Drakensberg Mountains, meaning Dragon Mountains and locally called The ‘Bergs.
We drove to the end of the road to camp at Monks Cowl located in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park .
Absolutely surrounded by green covered sandstone steps topped by basalt cliffs.
These are the highest mountains in South Africa reaching heights of 11420 ft (3482 m).
Monks Cowl would be the starting point for an overnight backpacking trip with guide John from Vertical Horizons, son of Jo from memorable meanders.
Yet it would be a couple of days before the overnighter so Joan and I enjoyed camp and hiked to Sterkspruit Falls (which I’ll post about soon).
Our neighbors had a visitor who watched us closely hoping for handouts.
Got the permit almost two months ago. Mike’s never hiked to the bottom of Grand Canyon before. We drive to the South Rim on Black Friday and have a reservation at Trailer Village for the nights before and after the hike.
Early Saturday morning we hit the South Kaibab trail down, which I’ve never hiked before, 7 miles to Bright Angel campground near the river and Phantom Ranch where we’ll camp two nights. The plan for Sunday is to hike a little ways up the box and to the Clear Creek overlook. Monday we’ll hike 4.5 miles up Bright Angel trail to Indian Garden for the night and then Tuesday the other 4.5 miles back to the South Rim.
Of course, being the end of November, who knows what the weather could throw at us. There could be snow at the rim while we’re sunbathing at the bottom. So, we bought slide stoppers and boot chains just in case. Sure hate to carry the extra weight, but that beats sliding off the trail.
Almost have everything we need: tent, sleeping pads and bags, plenty of water, first aid kit, headlamp, a few clothes, trekking poles, cameras, electrolytes and most of the food.
If it was up to Mike he’d be carrying Way too many pounds and bringing the cast iron fry pan. He’s even offered to carry me which I’ll keep in mind for the trip back up. Teehee.
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When we moved out of the 5th-wheel and into the little house I insisted the computer desk be set up in front of the only window that can be seen out of when sitting down. I so need the light, and also enjoy the Weaver Mountains and sunset.
The Lady Cardinal
Next step, to set up bird feeders within the view.
Sparrows & House finch
Sure didn’t take long for the locals to find the seed.
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