Arizona – Grand Canyon (Mar 31-Apr 3, 2019)

Our vacation started in the Grand Canyon National Park. We were lucky (smart) to make reservations at the Trailer Village RV Park. As we entered the park, there was a large sign saying FULL. The ranger also told us there was no parking anywhere in the park so you will have to hunt for a space if we were parking. However since we were in the Trailer Village Park, we can take a shuttle anywhere. Speaking of shuttles, we loved that there were shuttles. We have enjoyed this at other parks also. They save you a lot of stress and headaches of driving around trying to find a space. Of course, if you weren’t in the RV park, you would have to find that first parking spot and then hop on a shuttle.

There first thing we did after we set up the RV was walk to the Visitor Center and talk to one of the rangers. We asked him about the best hikes/walks to take along as key points he thinks we shouldn’t miss. We think everyone should start out in a park with this discussion so you get a good flavor of the park.

So the next day, we walked the Rim Trail. This was a great way to start our trek through the Grand Canyon. We walked first from the Trailer Park to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center which was about a mile. The Rim Trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermits Rest, a distance of approximately 13 miles (21 km). Most of the trail is paved. However, we only walked from the Visitor Center to Angel’s Point which was at an altitude of 6,820 feet and a distance of about 3.5 miles.

This walk gives you a great overview of the canyon. Here are some great pictures of our walk.

Our Selfie overlooking the canyon on the beginning of the Rim Trail Walk.

Colors are beautiful. We caught the sun coming up on the right side.

We liked this duo of points. Almost looked like competing houses.

Then you had the soloist sitting further from the two above. haha

Very few clouds. It is interesting to see all the valley points across the horizon.

Grand Canyon Supergroup Carbon Canyon Limestone. 780 Millions years old.

Awatubi limestone – 750 years old. These stones line the walk while you are walking the Trail of Time which traces Grand Canyon’s oldest rocks to canyon carving and Grand Canyon’s human history.

This picture is amazing as you look across the many mesa and all the divides between them which has occured over millions of years naturally.

After finishing the Rim Trail, we headed to the Desert View Watchtower, also known as the Indian Watchtower at Desert View, is a 70-foot-high stone building located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The four story structure was designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter who is often referred to as the architect of the southwest. She traveled throughout the southwest to find inspiration and authenticity for her buildings. The architecture of the ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau served as her model. This particular tower was patterned after those found at Hovenweep and the Round Tower of Mesa Verde. Ms. Colter indicated that it was not a copy of any that she had seen, but rather modeled from several. To obtain this result she insisted that the rocks not be cut or worked, so they would not lose the:
***“weathered surfaces so essential to blend it with the canyon walls”.***

As you walk in, the first thing you do, it look up and see the tower ceiling. What you are also seeing is the walkways all the way around the building.

This is on the wall in front of you as you walk in.

This is the top floor which has more great views when you look out.

Mike and Lorraine standing outside on the circular balcony over the Colorado River.

The next day we were feeling adventurous (stupid) and decided we would hike down the Hermit Rest Trail which was built in 1911. This rocky, strenuous trail drops steeply the first 2.5 miles (4.0 km). We ignored the comment of “use caution” or the sign below. Must go back up was going to hurt.

The hike was a distance of 2.7 miles with a drop of 1237 feet in elevation. Total time was 3 hours and 31 minutes.

Man made stair to get you down without falling. Of course, Lorraine looks like she is having fun now! But later, we will have to climb this back up.

We made it to the bottom just to the right of the beginning of the Waldon Basin. Yes, we started at the top of that mountain.

This “antique” garbage was also at the bottom. Was told this have been here for more than 50 years. It cannot be touched or removed.

Keeping our eyes on the target – the top of this mountain.

So needless to say the trip back was strenuous and since we are not Spring Chickens, we had to take many stops. We were cursing ourselves about not stopping. Apparently both of us thought of stopping half way down but didn’t say anything to each other. Communication will be improved from now on.

So after this hike, the next day we moved on to our next trip which should not be this hard. Cheers!

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