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

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Scenic Sunday – Ooh Aah

a321 Ooh Aah Point & O'Neill Butte S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

There are no bad views of the Grand Canyon. I tell visitors this all the time when asked “where’s the best view?” I just keep finding more “best” views. The above seen when hiking on the South Kaibab trail last Saturday as we approached Ooh Aah Point, a mere .9 miles (1.5 km) from the South Rim.

Scenic Sunday sky badge

To view more beautiful scenes from around the world go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Hiking Grand Canyon – Day 1 on the South Kaibab trail or It’s all downhill from here

01 Gaelyn & Mike at S Kaibab trailhead SR GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

Being only a 7 mile (11.1 km) hike down the South Kaibab trail to Bright Angel campground us “retirees” were in no rush to hit the trail at the crack of a below freezing dawn. We hit the trailhead at 10:30am.

02 S Kaibab trail switchbacks called The Chimney SR GRCA NP AZ pano (638x800)

Only a little snow on the rim and trail but we still put on our ice grippers then dropped over the edge to descend along switchbacks called The Chimney over through the 270 million year old Kaibab and Toroweap limestones.

03 O'Neill Butte S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ pano (800x315)

O’Neill Butte

We continued our descent 1140 feet (348 m) past the 275 million year old Coconino sandstone to Cedar Ridge which sits on 280 million year old Hermit shale. This is a popular 3 mile (4.8 km) round-trip day hike destination and stopped to snack and enjoy the spectacular views. Already two hours into our hike and only 5 miles (8 km) to go. Feeling good!

04 O'Neill Butte S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

O’Neill Butte up close

This butte was named after Buckey O’Neill who prospected in the canyon during the 1890s and promoted the railroad to the South Rim.

05 Gaelyn S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

The endless views stopped us in our tracks almost every step of the way. Or was it the subtle aching in our knees?

06 Panoramic view N & NW from Skeleton Point S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x151)

From Skeleton Point (don’t ask why it’s named that) I could see the North Rim in the far distance and with binoculars just make out the Grand Lodge.

07 The Tonto Platform & N Rim above Phantom Ranch from S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (332x800)

Looking over the edge I could even see Phantom Ranch, our destination for the next two nights, nestled in the fall colored trees. So close yet still 3.9 miles (6.3 km) away.

08 The Red and Whites switchbacks S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (743x800)

The next 500 vertical feet (150 m) of switchbacks, called The Red and Whites, drop along the 340 million year old Redwall limestone.

09 Natural Arch from S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x521)

I had to remind myself to look back up once in awhile and was rewarded with this natural arch high above.

10 Mike at The Tipoff s Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ pano (795x800)

Yet most important was keeping my eyes on the trail, like at The Tipoff which plunges into the 1600 foot (488 m) deep Granite Gorge. Only 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to go.

11 Colorado R W from Panorama Point S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ pano (800x467)

With more views…

12 Panorama Point S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

…at Panorama Point.

13 Switchbacks above tunnel S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

Then only 1200 feet (366 m), straight down, plus just over a mile more to the tunnel, Black Bridge and Colorado River through the 1.7 billion year old Vishnu Schist. Oh no, not more down. By now my right knee was very tender.

14 Sunset over confluence Co R & Bright Angel Crk & Phantom Ranch from S Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ (600x800)

Once again I could see our destination and it seemed so close at hand. But it wasn’t until after sunset that we walked into Bright Angel campground, 7.5 hours after having left the South Rim.

15 Fuzzy Mike on Black Bridge GRCA NP AZ (800x600)

We were exhausted. This is the first time I’ve had problems with my knees going downhill. Thank goodness we could enjoy a complete day of recovery in the bottom of the canyon before making the climb back out.

I will post more of this four day hike, but in the meantime I hope you’ll check out another perspective in Mike’s post by clicking here.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

SWF – Sunset from the canyon

DSCF7425 (800x600)

Sunset over the Colorado River from South Kaibab trail

Hiking into Grand Canyon provides so many different experiences and stimuli as to put my mind and body on the verge of overload. After four days surrounded by the ancient stone walls, coming back to the South Rim world slapped culture shock right in my face. I’d have returned to the abyss if my legs would have carried me.

skywatch friday image

To view more elegant skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

I’ll be posting the hike very soon.

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