A lot more people at the Mather overlook today than yesterday. The stables at the Kaibab trailhead.
This is the South Kaibab trail. Frustrated by years of legal battles over the Bright Angel Trail, the park service built this in 1924 to provide free access into the canyon. It is only 7 miles to the bottom, compared to the 10 miles down on the Bright Angel trail. I hiked this one a few times in college and after. Like it better, it is shorter and a lot less crowded. It is best to go down it, and up the Bright Angel. It is very steep with lots and lots and lots of switchbacks.
A nice view of the Grand Canyon, John waiting patiently for me.
We had lunch at this lovely point. It was straight down 1,000 + all along the rim trail here. From lunch here is a vista with the trail in the middle. It goes along the top of the ridge, then switch backs down again.
Yellow mustard flowers, yes I am loosing it but this pile of droppings looked like a tree to me, yellow sunflower, tortuous branching tree, vetch flowers, and another cool branching juniper tree. This elk was by the bathrooms at the visitors center, surrounded by people taking it's photo. Indian paintbrush, larkspur, Long leaf phlox, white phlox and purple mustard flowers.
Sunset from camp during dinner tonight. The top part of Bright Angel Trail from the view point.
A sign in 4 languages saying stay away from the edge. People must not care, hanging off the edge with a 1,000 + foot drop off for photos. Phlox, senico, agave blooms and the Powel Monument. He was the first guy who successfully boated the grand to map it.
A view of the river from Mohave viewpoint. If you look really close you can see Hermits rapid. Cool looking twisty rocks.
Our view from lunch today. Way, way down there is Granite Rapid. A huge, scary rapid. Doesn't look so bad from 5,000 feet above.
A big round sundog. Must be lots of moisture in the air, tiny purple flowers, a flowering bush and mallow. Shadows looking good at the end of the day.
John and I at Hermits Rest. A nice man who did not speak english took it. Sunset tonight from our dinner table. Love eating outside.
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