Our World-Hermits Rest Grand Canyon NP

Hermits Rest provides refuge and refreshment along with magnificent views of Grand Canyon.  Read more here.

Grand Canyon Historic Boats

Remains of the Nellie Powell

The history of whitewater boating on the Colorado River can be read about here.

Our World-Hermit Road overlook Grand Canyon National Park

You'll enjoy the reduced crowds during winter at the South Rim plus take advantage of driving the Hermit Road at Grand Canyon National Park in your own...

Good morning Grand Canyon

You might find yourself getting up earlier than usual to catch the golden glow of sunrise on the walls of Grand Canyon plus be greeted by...

Grand Canyon History Symposium

Friday I’ll be a volunteer at the registration desk.

The 3rd Grand Canyon History Symposium gathers professional and avocational historians and offers field trips at beautiful Grand Canyon National Park.  The four day event includes...

Part 14 Rafting the Colorado River Day 4–The last stretch to Diamond Creek

After all the fun rapids the Colorado River seemed to slow to a crawl as we floated the last stretch to Diamond Creek where we would end our journey.

Part 12 Rafting the Colorado River Day 3–Counting Sheep while awake

For NPS employees a river trip isn't all fun and play.  We helped with wildlife inventory by counting sheep along the way...

Our World Tuesday–Days of Summer

I’ve been so busy this summer and have so much to post about that I can’t seem to catch up. So here’s a few images of summer, with more to follow.

The days of summer have been filled with adventure including rafting the Colorado River, hiking in Zion, boating on Lake Powell and...

Part 9 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - On to Deer Creek Falls

After all that hard work talking tamarisk we needed a diversion.  Explore Deer Creek Falls here...

Our World - Part 8 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - Talking tamarisk

Rafting on the Colorado River brought almost indescribable joy…

Part 7 Rafting the Colorado River Day 2 - Counting

Western Tanager at 120 Mile camp 

OK, I know you’re all thinking that this trip down the river was just for fun and not working. Wrong. If you keep reading you'll find out we did work...

Part 4 - Rafting the Colorado River Day 1 - Rapids and Rocks

Shinumo Rapid ~RM109.4

The day continued with even more rapids...

Part 3 Colorado River trip Day 1 Ross Wheeler

Our Colorado River trip leader, Dave, shared the story of the Ross Wheeler.

Hiking to the river

After hiking 7 miles down the North Kaibab trail and staying at Cottonwood campground my hiking companion had to hike back up 4170 feet while I headed another 7 miles down to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River where my rafting adventure would being...

Hike to Cottonwood

In order to get to the Colorado River rafting trip I had to hike 14 miles down the North Kaibab trail. Mike joined me for the first 7 miles to Cottonwood campground. Nice to have company and break up the long hike.

During the heat of August isn’t my preferred time to hike into Grand Canyon so we left shortly after sunrise.

Although I’d hiked this section of the rim-to-rim corridor trail before, Mike had only hiked to the Redwall bridge, 2.6 miles down.

It’s a long and winding trail into Roaring Springs Canyon…

…and 4.7 miles to Roaring Springs where a huge waterfall pours out of the canyon walls.

Then only a mile further a welcome rest stop at the Roaring Springs Ranger residence sitting along Bright Angel Creek.

After a cool down and water refill we crossed the creek.

Walked through the ancient Tapeats sandstone deposited about 525 million years ago near a receding western shoreline.

And enjoyed dipping our toes into Bright Angel Creek most of the hot afternoon at Cottonwood campground.

Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Day 1 - Part 1

Thought I'd repost this hike for the first day of Mike and I hiking the canyon to Cottonwood on Thursday. Friday I'll be continuing to the Phantom Ranch while Mike hikes back to the top. Will be out of communications for about a week. While I'm on the river. See ya' when I get back.

My pack weigh in 
Packed the night before our hike and I was sure Amy’s pack weighed much more than Jan or mine’s. But they were 24, 25, and 26 pounds. Not too bad. They did seem to get heavier along the way though.

Gaelyn, Amy and Jan
Left about 9:30am and mid 40sF. FabGrandma drove us to the trailhead so we wouldn’t have to leave a car or walk an extra two miles. Thanks Karen!

View into Roaring Springs Canyon from North Kaibab trailhead
The fall colors of Quaking Aspen and Rocky Mountain Maple were still brilliant as we quickly dropped in elevation through the Douglas-fir forest. The ladies were already in awe. They had driven in the night before and hadn’t even looked into the canyon.

North Kaibab trail into Roaring Springs Canyon
Our route began at 8250 feet (2515 meters) and it’s a 3000 foot (930 meters) drop to the intersection of Bright Angel Canyon.

Only 10 miles (16.1 km) across as the Condor flies.

Mule riders on Coconino overlook
It’s .7 miles (1.1 km) to this first great overlook. Many day hikers come this far. The overlook sits at the bottom of the Toroweap limestone deposited some 270 million years ago by an inland sea. The Coconino sandstone was formed by dunes some 275 million years ago.

Fall colors below the Coconino sandstone
Two miles (3.2 km) down it was almost 60F where we removed layers at the Supai Tunnel, blasted into the rock by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. Also used the services, compost toilet, and topped off water bottles for the 4 miles (6.4 km) to the Roaring Springs Ranger residence where the next water was available. Unfortunately the water spigot at Roaring Springs only 3 miles (4.8 km) away has been broken most of the summer.

Looking down to the Redwall Bridge
The habitat below the tunnel changes to a pinyon-juniper woodland with cliff rose, broadleaf yucca, Utah serviceberry and rabbitbrush. The stair-stepped red rock of the Supai Group formed between 315 and 285 million years ago.

Still a long way to go ladies.

Fossil of possibly a conifer
The Supai reveals a variety of rock reflecting changes in coastal conditions as sea levels fluctuated.

Calcite crystals

Conglomerate of pebbles

We crossed the Redwall Bridge entering a desert environment.


I'm sure to post more about this hike to the river. And of course I'll be posting the Colorado River trip, probably for weeks if not months.
Will try to catch up when I return.

SWF – After the storm

 

Last Tuesday soft female rain fell for hours into a canyon full of cloud. Day time visitors were disappointed. But late afternoon offered views of Grand Canyon as the last rays of sunlight illuminated the sky.

 

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

Look closer

 

I know folks come to Grand Canyon to see the big ditch, but don’t forget to look at the little stuff along the way please.

 

Or is this just a way to show off more photos I couldn’t seem to fit into a post?

 

Either way, I hope you’ll keep your eyes open for the Big…

 

…small…

 

…and unusual.

Chip n Dale

And I don’t mean the well greased male dancers.

But these two sure danced around on my truck tires.

Going camping on the way to town

Mike and I both have the next two days off and we’re heading Out of the park.

It’s about time to run away and play.

We poured over the maps.

Packed some food and camp gear.

And in the morning we’ll drive into the Kaibab National Forest…

…to some unknown beautiful rim camp.