MWT – Cape Final hike

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Along with a colorful wildflower show.

 

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

 

Then briefly winds back into the forest.

 

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

 

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

  

Yes!

 

Mike put out a delicious picnic lunch.

 

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.

 

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

 

Why did we listen?

 

It was time to fly home.

 

To tour more of the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

MWT – A trip to Flagstaff

Thursday Mike and I hauled a friends vintage 1955 Spartan trailer to Flagstaff.

Saw a little sundog over the Painted Desert.

Drove towards a major storm approaching Mt Humphreys.

Flagstaff has a very fun oldtown where I bought gear for my upcoming trip on the Colorado River.

Had dinner in the funky Galaxy Diner.

Where some nice old cars were parked in the lot.

On the return drive Saturday we again drove through a storm passing Mt Humphreys.

It rained so hard even the Little Colorado River was flowing at Cameron.

Then the clouds broke up over the Painted Desert.

And the sun shone on the Colorado River at Marble Canyon.

But the clear sky didn’t last as we approached the Kaibab Plateau where home is.

To tour more of the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

MWT – Fence Point

What better to do with a two day weekend than go camping at Fence Point for free. Just before heading out of the park we saw a herd of beefalo. But I was more impressed with the views of Grand Canyon from camp which you can read more about here.

MWT – Company at the canyon

I’ve been trying to entice my dearest friend Berta to the North Rim for three summers. She finally made the seven hour drive and was in awe.

Our first day we explored the area around the Lodge.

Then later went to Point Imperial for moonrise.

The next day we drove out the scenic road to Cape Royal.

And worked our way back stopping at numerous canyon overlooks. Just like real tourists.

To tour more of the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here. Or come for a visit so I can show you around the Grand Canyon North Rim.

MWT – Western Arts Day at Grand Canyon National Park North Rim

Western Arts Day commemorates the western way of life which helps define what Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, and Southern Utah are today.  Read more here...

MWT – Cabin in the forest

Saturday, after the chores were done, Mike and I took a ride into the Kaibab National Forest to check out a little cabin we’d seen buried in the woods.

The place is barely visible from the North Rim Parkway (SR67) yet that obvious narrow gravel road called us to explore.

Deserted, yet an open door spurred us to peak inside and the place was clean and inviting.

This place has all the conveniences. Well almost. No running water, but there’s a cook stove and plenty of wood.

Plus the nearby privy…(oops, sorry Mike)

…with a great view.

Even with trees fallen on the roof, the barn/shed looked in good repair.

And the fences were stout. Made me wish I had horses to ride out onto the meadows and into the forest, then back for a safe night for all.

Some of the old dead/dying aspen carry heavy marks from past visitors…

…some more recent than others.

I could move right in. Except that I love my new 5th-wheel and it’s modern conveniences. But there’s a place there I could park for a while.

Although this is public land I can’t find anything online about the cabin. Yet I suspect it’s from the late 1800s to early 1900s ranching days. No signs except a number on the door. I hope to get more information from the District Ranger office in Fredonia this week.

To tour more of the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

MWT – Watching the canyon

Just a Park Ranger doing her job.

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