Oct 18, 2018
Grand Canyon, Day 2
It was a clear blue sky but oh so very very chilly at 34F/1C with a nasty East wind which changed the temperature to a real feel of 26F/-3C! Because of the strong wind I could barely open the car door when we parked at the Visitor Center. The wind whipped right through, no matter how many layers you were wearing. We did a quick tour of the Visitor Center which we both thought was very small and did not have much information. I guess the two films cover most of it.
I should have had two pairs of gloves on as well as a second scarf. My feet were happy in a pair of Colin’s socks. I had my runners in my backpack. Yes I finally got a backpack ( it is a Route 66 design ) and I really like it.
Only every two years!
From here we took the shuttle to the Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum. It was so wonderful to walk into the heat of the museum after the freezing winds at the viewpoint. The temperatures would never climb above 42F on this day but the winds did decrease from time to time.
Looking over the rim at Yavapai Point.
From the Geology Museum we walked two miles towards the Bright Angel Trailhead.
Each metre walked along The Trail of Time which was between the Geology Museum and Verkamp’s Visitor Center signifies one million years of geologic history.
Along the Trail of Time there are a series of rocks and exhibits that explain how the Grand Canyon and its rock formed.
Don’t we look chilly?
Colin really liked this tree.
We saw the Hopi House, the historic El Tovar Hotel, the Lookout Studio and the Kolb Studio.
We had our lunch just around the corner from this Native entertainment. We shared a picnic table with Joachim who was visiting from Northern Spain. It would have been lovely to spend more time chatting with you Joachim. Perhaps we will meet in Spain one year.
This is the Bright Angel Trailhead which is used to hike down to the Phantom Ranch. The South Kaibab Trailhead is also used. Some hike down one and back up another. The hike is not for the faint of heart, only 1% of the millions of visitors to the Grand Canyon each year, make it down and back up from the canyon floor.
Way down in the canyon is the Black Bridge that hikers use to cross the Colorado River to reach Phantom Ranch.
Phantom Ranch.
The bridge and part of the trail.
My dear friend Suzanne of Take to the Highway descended to the floor of the canyon in December ( yes as in snow on the ground ) of 2016. She wrote a detailed account of her adventure. You can start to read about that journey by clicking here for the first of five posts. It will give you a very different perspective on the Grand Canyon. She is one of the most remarkable people that I have ever met. Each post on her blog is treasure to read.
A small tarantula on the path. I stood guard until it crossed to the other side so that no one would step on it.
The West side of the park is not open to vehicles between March 1st to November 30th. You can only reach the viewpoints along that area by taking the shuttle. We had planned to go to a viewpoint and then hike back to another as we walked and enjoyed the changing colors and then take shuttle to a further point and so on. However we ran out of time. The shuttles only ran every 15 minutes and often we needed more than 15 minutes at a particular location. Also sunset was at 5:55PM and the last shuttle was at 5:45PM.
Taken from our first stop at Hopi Point.
The first few viewpoints on this side of the park off views of the Colorado River. This was taken at Mohave Point.
Pima Point where we would have watched the sunset from.
It was a 35 minute shuttle from here back to the Visitor Center where we had parked the Jeep.
It was dark well before we got back to the RV in Williams. Still so very miserable temperature wise. The forecast was for 1 -3 niches of snow overnight.
The Grand Canyon is a magical place. One can never tire of visiting over and over. Each time is different because of light and other circumstances. I imagine that each visit would be a perfect one. We both thought that it was a stunning place. For certain we will return to this wonder of nature.
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Looks like you and Colin covered a lot of territory in six days! I knew you could make it through the cold weather around the canyon because you two have that thick Canadian blood to withstand it. Ha! I’m afraid Beach and I would have folded since we live in the southeast. That is the reason we visited in August. You had more days than we did. We only had three days and two nights; rented a van in Vegas (total family members were six); got on the road to the Grand Canyon at 5:30 AM with breakfast and coffee in the van, but it was beautiful on the road with the rising morning sun.
Dee we were In Williams for 6 nites but only had two day at the Grand Canyon. Rain and snow kept us grounded the other days.
Nice views there and amazing scenery, we did the shuttle and covered lots of excellent viewpoints, But with my vertigo I missed a lot of the views, by not being able to get close enough to the edge of the canyon.
Oh so very sorry that you have vertigo. In actuality Colin never went more than three feet near the edge. I made it look closer by backing up to take those photos.
More great pictures as usual but you both do look very chilly! I have a picture of myself in that same tree that Colin liked … it is a very pretty tree 🙂
How fun that you were photographed at that same tree and yes we were beyond chilly.
Once again just fabulous photos. Thank you for sharing and so wish the temperature was not so cold but….it is what it is. What is next – Las Vegas or maybe Saint George; time will tell?!
Ahh, you will have to wait and see what comes next.
My dear amiga,
Thanks for such kind words about my blog. The trip down into the canyon was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in our national park system! I enjoyed writing about it, and hope there are others who enjoy reading it. Thanks for sharing the link.
As always, your pictures are so beautiful. You two have certainly made the most of what has been disagreeable weather as autumns typically go in the Great Southwest…
After Contessa mentioned your hike to bottom of Grand Canyon I read your blog posts – I almost felt like I was walking behind you. I have read your blog off and on over the last few years but could not leave a comment as to how much I enjoyed your hike – wow to be in the 1% is quite a feat. Continued safe journey and as travel our beautiful country. Thanks,Suzanne and thank you, Contessa, you are a gem.
Sandy you are a very special person in my life. I have passed your comment onto Suzanne.
Sandy, thanks so much for your nice compliment. There is nothing that makes a blogger feel better than having a reader say “you took me there.”
And I agree, Contessa is indeed a gem, and a wonderful friend.
Awww, mi amiga, how kind.
Gracias. Our photos may be good but your words and story captivates wherever you are. We plan to make the best of the weather as we travel our destined path.
Hello
Just want to mention Kanab Utah ,sort of the back end of the Grand Canyon.Very beautiful area.
Bryce Canyon access is up that way.
However there is an animal sanctuary there called Best Friends animal society,on a most beautiful piece
Of property. Best friends is amazing and so is what they do there.You can take a tour around the property
Showing the different animal areas.Well worth a stop if you ever pass through that way.
Regards
Heather
Thank you Heather, we passed thru Kanab today but will pass thru yet again in the week to come. Not sure if we are ready to visit a place like this.