Sunset

Our last day in the Grand Canyon and the end of our touring adventures. Tomorrow we head to Prescott to visit an old neighbor and then on to Phoenix to see Ray’s brothers.

We hiked a small portion of the Bright Angels Trail in the morning, down to the lower tunnel. In retrospect we could have made it down to the first rest house but we weren’t sure how difficult it would be coming up. Turns out we underestimated our ability and it was easy coming up 600 ft. I found it more difficult going down, probably because we had looked at the trail from the top and how close the trail comes to the edge of the cliff!

In the early evening, we took the shuttle to Hopi Point for some sunset photography and the overlook was perfect. This evening’s sky was the best of all the days we’ve been here – clear blue with a few strategic clouds that turned vivid orange at sunset. The canyon walls had an orange then purple hue and I was able to capture the glow on the edges of the cliffs. I will have plenty to do with my camera photos, but a few iPhone images are here. It was a perfect ending to our stay. For dinner, I cleaned the refrigerator and made a nice hot pot of chicken stew. We’ve eaten out only twice this trip which is a big advantage of the trailer- much healthier meals than bad restaurant food; the food options are quite poor here.

Hermit’s Rest Road

Today is our long walk day, starting at the beginning of the Hermits Rest Road, closed to car traffic. There are several lookout points along the road and one can walk or take the shuttle. In total the road is 8 mi one way. The scenery is breathtaking as with every bend, you get a different view of the canyon. The best time is low light at the end of the day and I hope to go out to a few points tomorrow with camera. The trail is paved at the beginning and the last 2mi, and dirt in between. Some of the sections are awfully close to the edge and we chose to take the road! It is a very pleasant walk, a beautiful day with a cool breeze.

Piñon Point

The Colorado River

At the end of our 8 mi walk, we catch the shuttle back to the village. It is packed and we again are the only ones with masks on. The sun is setting after our showers and spontaneously, we decide to check out the canyon. We catch the last of the suns glow. The canyon is purple and blue.

Canyon Rim

What a wild night of rain, hail and winds! But morning dawned clear but gusty. Driving out of the campground we encountered 2 male elks duking it out amidst a herd of females. It is rutting season. One chased the other away. He was handsome with huge antlers.

We visited the informative displays at the visitor center the headed out to Mather Point and a section of the Rim Trail. The rains came and Ray turned back. I kept going around the village, past the historic studio and to Bright Angel Trailhead. There people were coming up on mules.

I walked past the depot and thought what great train ride that must be!

The bike path/ greenway went through a forested area. In total my walk was 6.6 mi. When I returned to the campground, the male elk was laying on the ground with his harem!