Grand Canyon

We arrived at the Grand Canyon about Noon on Tuesday after having breakfast with Harry and Ann in Prescott. We scouted around and found a camp site in the Park and set up our tent. After putting ourselves on the wait-list for Phantom Ranch, we spent the rest of the day sightseeing from the Rim of the Park.

On Wednesday, we got up a 5:40AM and broke camp and went to Bright Angel Lodge to check on Phantom Ranch. The guy the previous day had intimated that we could find out around 6:30AM however we had to wait untill 7AM. We had breakfast at the lodge and then found out that we could get two bunk beds and dinner at Phantom ranch (bunk's for $30/person and beef stew dinner for $24/person). This was great news since we would not need to carry as much down the canyon.

We then packed what we thought we needed and caught the shuttle for Kaibab Trail down to the ranch. The Kaibab Trail is over 7 miles long and descends from 7,200 feet to about 2,400 feet. It took us about 4 1/2 hours to make the trek down and before it was over, Pat's knees were killing him. Lots of steps down in 4,800 feet drop in elevation!!!

You cannot get an appreciation of the magnitude of the Grand Canyon from the top. It's 12 miles wide and over a mile deep in parts. You could hide the Empire State Building in the canyon. In fact, you could hide Yosemite Park in the Grand Canyon!!! The trail we took down had great views of the canyon, where little vegetation exists.

We got to the bottom, checked into the dorm and found to our surprise that we did not need to bring our sleeping bags!!! The bunk beds had sheets and blankets and the dorm had a hot shower. Pat immediately took a nap. He was exhausted.

We then went to a Park Ranger's presentation of the history of the Grand Canyon and then took showers before going to Dinner. Dinner was family style and we met a lot of nice folks. Everyone was very friendly. After dinner we went to another Ranger presentation of the history of the Colorado River and how the dams have changed the ecology of the park. In addition, we learned how to find scorpions using a black light. It seems that there are scorpions in the canyon but we did not encounter any. We then called it a night around 8:30PM since we were getting up at 4:30AM the next morning.

On Thursday, we got up at 4:30AM and had breakfast at the Ranch at 5:00AM before beginning the trek out of the park to the rim. Breakfast was also family style, with bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, juice and coffee.

We began the trip up the Bright Angel Trail in the dark with flash lights and the stars above. We were not sure how long it was going to take and wanted to leave ourselves plenty of time if we needed rests along the way.

We got up close and personal with some Big Horn Sheep on the way up the canyon and got some good pictures you will want to see. The trip up the canyon went smoothly and we made it to the top in 6 and 1/2 hours, tired but without any pain or exhaustion! All that worry for nothing!!!

We treated ourselves to coffee and something to eat before leaving the Grand Canyon for Williams, AZ. and a motel for the night. You can see pictures here of our experiences in the Grand Canyon.

Prescott AZ

We drove from Zion National Park thru Sedona Arizonia and the Oak Creek Canyon to Prescott to visit an old friend of Pat's from Graduate School in North Carolina and work with IBM. The town of Prescott is a lovely town and we went out to dinner together and caught up on old times.

Tomorrow is on to the Grand Canyon!!!

Zion National Park (Day 2)

We got a good night's rest and had breakfast at Denny's before returning to Zion. We checked into our campsite and then went hiking.

Our first trail was the River Walk to the Narrows which was beautiful. We saw a deer along the trail and the foilage was turning colors as the fall/winter approaches. In the sunlight it was spectacular.

Our next trail was the Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools Trail. There are three pools and each are higher up the mountain. Of course we need to see them all.

Our final trail for the day was Hidden Canyon Trail which winded up a canyon face for 850 feet to a narrow slot canyon that lead to a pretty arch. The trail was less taxing than Angel Landing trail but had its moments!!!

We finished up the day by setting up tent and going into town to have a burger and watch the Rays/Red Socks game!!

Tomorrow is a drive to Prescott Az. to visit a friend....

Zion National Park

We got to Zion National Park around 11AM and soon found out that parking is a real problem. You need to take a bus to go anywhere and the parking lots were full. We went to the Museum which we spotted on the way to the visitors center and left our car there.

We then went to the grotto stop which was the beginning of the Angel's Landing trail which is a strenuous and narrow trail. Parts of the trail required chains to help you navigate the steep and narrow passages. Not for anyone fearful of heights. The trail ends at the summit high above Zion Canyon that gives you a 270 degree view of the entire canyon. The trail is 5 miles round trip with a 1,500 foot elevation change from the floor of the canyon to the peak.

The trip was strenuous to say the least but well worth the effort. The views were spectacular. I
am posting pictures here for Zion.

We called it an early day and now heading back to a motel to get a shower and good night rest...

Bryce Canyon (Day 2)

We woke up early and went to Brice Point (9,200 feet elevation) to get a sunrise view of Bryce Canyon. You could see for 30-50 miles and had a great view of the entire canyon.

Timmy was hungry (what's new!) so he talked me into breakfast at the Brice Canyon lodge. They had a great buffet for $10 with a great selection of fruits and yougerts, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits, toast, danish, juice and coffee. We fueled up for the day ahead.

We went into town and tried to use an internet connection to upload blogs and photos but had troubles and finally gave up! We then went sightseeing for the rest of the morning.

In the afternoon, we took a 3 and 1/2 hour horse back tour of the canyon. It was nice but Timmy and I both concluded that we enjoyed the hikes better. It was a lot easier on our rear ends!!!

We finished off the night with a special dinner of mac and cheese and baked beans spiced up with some sausage that we got at the general store. The night was crystal clear and from our campsite, the sky was lit up with stars. I have never seen so many before.

Tomorrow is Zion!!! The trek continues

Bryce Canyon National Park

We left Green River Utah around 9AM and arrived at Bryce Canyon National Park around noon time. After getting a camp site for the next two days, we walked the Queens and Navajo trails thru Bryce Canyon and took lots of pictures. It's amazing the variety of spires and fins and "sand castles" we saw at each turn.

We walked thru deep canyons and pine trees growing within the park that I doubt you would find anywhere else in the world. The colors were unique; various shades of orange, red and white interspersed with the deep green of the pines. As the sit around the camp fire, we cannot wait until tomorrow to see the sun rise over this canyon and explore more of the park.

The picture can be found here.

Canyonland National Park

After a restful night at our campsite, we went into Moab for breakfast at Denny's. Timmy wanted to wash up in their bathroom and I decided to brush my teeth and shave. However, I made a wrong turn and ended up in the women's bathroom!!! A women walked in and saw me with shaving cream on my face and walked out. After a few seconds, she came back and informed me that I was in the woong bathroom!! I hightailed it to the men's to find Timmy wondering where I had gone.

After breakfast, we headed to Canyonland National Park and words cannot adequately describe it. The canyons are deep and sharp. The distances are vast. We stayed on the paved road and designated trails and had some wonderful views. We got some pictures standing on ledges 1,000 feet down. The vegitation is limited, with dwarf pine and cedar trees and scrub brush in places and nothing in others.

You can get a good feel for Canyonland form the pictures here.