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.

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Monday, August 8, 2011

MWT – Cape Final hike

 01 cape-final-trail-map (725x548)

Stretching our legs for this weeks hike on the North Kaibab trail. Mike will hike down seven miles with me to Cottonwood campground Thursday. Then Friday he hikes back up almost 4,000 feet and I continue down seven more miles to Phantom Ranch. Saturday to Tuesday I’ll be on the Colorado River then fly back to Kanab, Utah where someone will pick me up along with another employee/river runner.

02 Mike on Cape Final trail & sign NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768) 

Oh yea, so what does that have to do with hiking to Cape Final? Just a little warm up hike. And Mike testing out his new backpack.

 03 Ponderosa pine shows lightning strike Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ pano (391x1024)

At two gentle miles each way, this is an awesome hike through a healthy Ponderosa Pine forest. Healthy because of fire. I read somewhere that one out of ten mature ponderosa pines on the North Rim have been struck by lightning and the evidence surrounded us.

04 Wildflowers along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ collage (1024x768) 

Along with a colorful wildflower show.

05 Canyon view NNE with LCR mouth along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ pano (1024x389) 

The trail approaches the rim as if from out of nowhere.

 06 Ponderosa pine forest along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x760)

Then briefly winds back into the forest.

07 Canyon view S from Cape Final NR GRCA NP AZ pano (1024x517) 

With a dip and a climb we were back to the rim. 

08 Gaelyn looking into canyon from Cape Final NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x758) 

I wanted to see the river. Was it still flowing like chocolate?

 09a Colorado River at Unkar Delta from Cape Final NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x761)09b Colorado River at Unkar Delta from Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x766) 

Yes!

 10 Mike setting out picnic at Cape Final NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)

Mike put out a delicious picnic lunch.

 11 Mike at Cape Final & smoke from SR fire NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x767)

Then we walked to the tip of Cape Final to enjoy the views. And saw smoke from the New Water fire on the South Rim.

 12 Raven in ponderosa pine along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)

All too soon it was time to head back. How did we know? The Raven told us so.

 13 Y-shaped ponderosa pine along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ (765x1024)

Why did we listen?

 14 Birds nest on snag along Cape Final trail NR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)

It was time to fly home.

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16 comments:

Kathie Brown said...

Gaelyn, oh my! what a time you had! What beauty surrounds you and then to have a raven as a companion! You are truly blessed!

Small City Scenes said...

Oh wow GL. What a time you all have and had and all that. Isn't it fun just to have fun. My head is still in the clouds I suppose.

What you said about being too close to the MT to not see it is so true. All them durn foothills just get in the way. Too much snow this year and the road to Artist point will not be open this year at all. Go figure. MB

Diane said...

All that walking sounds like hard work to me LOL. But the views that you see would make me walk it as well, beautiful photos. Diane

Arija said...

How I wish i could do that hike! What is the elevation of the North Rim? I have a height limit of 2,000m.

Love your new earrings, that great shady forest, the views and wildflowers and your beloved carrying your lunch.

Glad to see you are all prepared for your great river adventure and have a waterproof camera. I bet you're as excited as a kid with a birthday coming up.

Joe Todd said...

Thanks for sharing

EG CameraGirl said...

What an adventure! I like it that the trail is for hikers only. I hope the signs are obeyed. Thank you for including photos of some of the plants. For me that's one of the highlights of such a trip. And I always love the long views.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I always just assumed that one of these days I would hike down and back the Grand Canyon AND float down it. Now it looks like that may not happen so I'm really looking forward to the reports of your trip when you return.

Good Luck!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wow! Just wow. Your photos are amazingly lovely and I am in awe of the hikes you two are on. (I love that your guy is putting out that awesome picnic lunch too! He's a keeper ;>))

ain't for city gals said...

We have hiked down several times to Phantom Ranch and then back up two nights later...the last time in a snowstorm..last Dec. I read in the last Sunset magazines that there are mules rides at the North Rim???..do I need to read that again or is it true?..Have a great time time on your river trip..somtimes a once in a lifetime deal..

Maude Lynn said...

Absolutely amazing pictures!

forgetmenot said...

Wow, What sights you saw along the way--beautiful. Mickie :)

Elaine said...

That's a gorgeous trail to hike along and your photos are beautiful. Have a wonderful time on your float trip. I know it will be a memorable experience for you. Just don't forget to take photos with that new camera so we can share the excitement.

eileeninmd said...

Gaelyn, what a wonderful hike. I felt like I was there too. You must really be getting excited about the river rafting. Your photos are wonderful. I love the mosaic and your photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

How I wish I was sitting next to you enjoying that view. Superb! I wish you a fantastic and safe trip and please bring back tons of photos.

AJ said...

I get the heebee-jeebies every time I see you on the edge like that! ;-)

Karen said...

Great photos. I love the last one, that is so cool!

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