.jpg "Ranger Gaelyn NR GRCA NP AZ")
Ranger GaelynAfter hiking rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon during training as a Park Ranger I could intelligently talk to visitors about the challenge involved. Down is optional, up is mandatory.
.jpg "CA Condor size comparison chart Vermilion Cliffs AZ")
Condor size comparisons posted below Vermillion Cliffs release siteYet I also had a lot to learn about Grand Canyon National Park in preparation for presenting nine different Ranger programs. I spent the first month working every waking hour; reading, writing, researching, prepping, practicing and learning PowerPoint. All very interesting and well worth it.
However, I didn’t limit myself to just the Grand Canyon, as there are so many amazing places in the area..jpg "Fire tower Jacob Lake Kaibab NF AZ")
Jacob Lake fire lookout towerJacob Lake Inn lies at the junction of highways 89A, and 67 into the North Rim. There is fuel, cabins, a restaurant with delectable home baked cookies, and a gift shop overflowing with a wide variety of excellently selected Native American arts and crafts. But don’t expect to swim in Jacob Lake.
.jpg "Vermilion Cliffs AZ")
Vermillion CliffsHeading east you drop off the plateau onto House Rock Valley and follow the Vermillion Cliffs to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge, one of two Grand Canyon crossings located 277 miles apart.
.jpg "Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon AZ")
Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble CanyonThere are actually two bridges and a small parking lot on one side with a visitor center. This is a worthwhile stop as you can walk onto the original bridge built in 1929 where you might see a California Condor.
.jpg "Historic building Lee's Ferry GLCA NRA AZ")
Lee’s Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation AreaA short side trip upriver takes you to Lee’s Ferry, the original way to cross the Colorado River. This is also where the river rafting trips start. I haven’t gotten to do this, yet. Maybe I need to befriend some river guides. Anybody out there?
.jpg "Windsor Castle PISP NM AZ")
Windsor Castle at Pipe Spring NMHeading north from Jacob Lake on Hwy 89A leads to Utah. But a side trip west on Hwy 389 from Fredonia, Arizona leads through the Kaibab (Ki’ bab) Indian Reservation and past Pipe Spring National Monument. Park Rangers lead tours of the main house that Mormons built over the spring in the 1870s. You can also wander around the visitor center, cowboy’s quarters, vegetable garden and often see a blacksmith demonstration.
.jpg "The Cathedral Zion NP UT")
The Cathedral at Zion NPIf you continue north on Hwy 89A into Utah past Kanab, Hwy 9 west drives right through Zion National Park. Be prepared to pay the entrance fee or show a Park’s Pass.
.jpg "The Great White Throne Zion NP UT")
The Great White Throne at Zion NPA park shuttle takes you to several amazing places in Zion Canyon where you can hike or just enjoy the views.
.jpg "Mules on the North Kaibab trail NR GRCA NP AZ")
Mules on the North Kaibab trailOne of the last tourist activities I did at Grand Canyon was take a mule ride to Roaring Springs, five miles down from the North Rim. Mules are huge! A cross between a female horse and a male donkey, they are often bigger than a horse. One of the main advantages for mules on this narrow precipitous trail is they can see all four feet at the same time whereas horses only see the two front feet.
.jpg "Fall aspen Harvey Meadow NR GRCA NP AZ")
Golden fall Aspen Harvey Meadows Grand CanyonAs summer came to an end at the canyon so did my seasonal Park Ranger job. And so it was time to move back to Yarnell.
You haven’t rafted down the river? You must. Your wonderful posts make me anxious to revisit the Canyon. Maybe next year along with the wonderful places Diane blogs about around Tucson.
another gem…enjoyed the post and photos so very much.
have a wonderful evening.
I envy your life…
You’ve covered the area pretty thoroughly, except for the rafting. I’ve never done that, either. Great photos. You know so many cool spots to visit.
Yes, this region is reach for exploration. Zion is awesome. I have hiked a little bit in this park but would like to hike across one day. I liked cedar brakes National Monument. It was small, but it is a treasure. I would really like to spend a month or so hiking in the midst of Escalante National Monument. There are no roads but plenty of canyons and back country.
Then there are all of those cool anastasi and pueblo ruins everywhere. You live in an awesome place Gaelyn where you soar with the condors.
Great post, as always, and you do know the great and the beautiful places to go. Fabulous photos! Have been to a number of these places, but wasn’t able to spend the time that you have! Terrific!
Thanks for the great tip, I’ll keep this in mind when the opportunity to visit Grand Canyon arises once again.
Yeah, I envy your geogypsy life too.
Interesting condor size comparison chart. Condors are so big, I would probably be speechless if I ever saw one. That Great White Throne looks like a volcano in your pic with the clouds and I love the mules, aspens and pines.
Oh, and don’t forget Bryce Canyon and Red Rock Canyon in Utah, a nice day trip from the North Rim. And Cedar Breaks. and Escalante…..
I was just about to ask you about the mules. 🙂 The area we did was the South rim as we stayed overnight in Flagstaff. My husband was unfortunately already ill when we were there so we could not do much hiking around but I have always wanted to return and go to the Indian village which I was told about. Apparently they live there very much as they used to without all the new mod cons and I would have loved to go there. The problem is, if I did, I would never leave. 🙂
Anither fantastic post Gaelyn. The more you show me, the more I want to pack up and go and live there again. 🙂
What an adventurous trip… like a dream!
That mule ride looks like it’d be fun/terrifying! Muat’ve been a wonderful place to live.
Wow, thanks for the whirlwind tour, you showed us a lot. Thanks. All great pictures.
The light is amazing. The river so green. The geology of this place is fascinating. To be able to talk and inform others of your passion is a real boon in this world. Beats an offcie job anyday.
Once again another great post about your world with such beautiful photos. I will visit and I hope you are the ranger I encounter. Thank you so much for sharing.
Smiles
Wow you have some amazing photos there and I know no picture can do those beautiful places justice. Sounds like you’re really enjoying traveling!! Enjoy today!!
You know I long to return to the GC area and you just make that yearning greater each week. I did not know there are all these other great things to see in the area, so thank you.
Wow, I didn’t realize there were so many other sights to see at the Grand Canyon. My parents took us there on a family vacation back in the early 70’s–looks like I’d better plan a trip there again one of these days!
An absolutely wonderful place to be a ranger in. I know it involves hard work but it also must be very rewarding.
This was so informative and soooo much fun! I'll be travelling home to Newfoundland for 2 weeks in August and look forward to posting about that.