Yes, those are people on the rocks out on Bright Angel Point
Saturday I worked the early schedule starting at the awful hour of 6:30am. It is always difficult for me to get up at my self-inflicted hour of 4:30. I’m just one of those people that needs two hours to wake up over coffee and blogs.
Bright Angel Canyon filled with cloud
Then I got to my canyon office view and I’m all awake with the help of a gentle rain. Every time a surprise in store. Yet I’d never seen the canyon full of clouds like this with the temple islands floating in a frothy sea. I got so lost I was almost late opening the visitor center.
Angels Gate
After a couple hours of answering the same question, “Do you think the clouds will go away?” I headed out to the Walhalla Plateau not knowing what to expect but taking my rain gear with me. Do these people think I’m a meteorologist or a seer?
First stop, Point Imperial, the highest elevation viewpoint in the park at 8803 feet (2683 meters). Sorry, no views today. And yes, that would be a great view of Mt Hayden and the confluence of the Little Colorado with the Colorado River.
This is the clear day real view.
I continued out the scenic road to the Walhalla overlook to give a 1pm History of Southwestern Archeology talk with a similar pea soup backdrop. Only a little clearing occurred, but I was too busy answering the “Will it clear up?” question to take many photos.
Next I went to Cape Royal at the end of the road for a 2:30pm geology talk and maybe the canyon would make an appearance. At first there was little hope of a full show. Then just as I finished…
Wontons Throne
…the clouds lifted to reveal the Greatest Earth on Show.
Although some visitors had been disappointed by the canyon closure all day, those who waited it out where treated to a very different view of the many moods of the canyon.
View from Walhalla overlook
Plus they got to see the Colorado River flow its true colors because of the flash of sediments from the upstream Paria and Little Colorado Rivers.
The view of the clouds below you in the mountains is stunning. The white mist reminds me of our visit to the Blue mountains in Ozz. We were there for four days and only on the day we left did the mist lift. We spent the rest of the time looking at a 'white sheet'! Your views when they did appear were worth waiting for. Diane
What a treat, to see the canyon shrouded in mist. I guess some folks just want to come, spend a few hours to see the canyon and leave. I'd rather allow time to experience the canyon in several of its many moods.
Have a great time, I've never heard of Pipe Springs National Monument. I look forward to experiencing it through your eyes. We are off to the cabin for 10 days, I have yet to head up my trail this year and am anxious to get into my mountains.
Awesome series G! It is so beautiful there and I can't wait to see it for myself someday.
Craig Glenn
What an incredible treat your captures are today, Gaelyn! Love seeing the fog filling the canyon and then the incredible beauty once it lifted! Really breathtaking! Have a great week! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Awesome. I have only been there a few times, but the 1st time I hiked down and back up there were great clouds adding to the depth and interest of the pictures. A friend who'd spent an entire summer working there was super jealous 'cause there were never any clouds when he was there and he WANTED them to make his pictures more interesting. Nice!! =)
"…..wake up over coffee and blogs" Never heard or seen it put better. Travelling the world on a cup of coffee – (smile).
When I'm reading your posts I like to try and step in your shoes. Yes, it is too early to get up, but geez look what was waiting for you. Wonderful pictures and story, thank you Gaelyn.
Oh, my heavens! I cannot imagine living in your world, seeing the GRAND CANYON every day, feeling its moods both cloudy and sunny. Wow!
Gaelyn, Your "office" is stunning – both in mist and out. Raining and foggy here , too. Mary is coming!
We think the park ranger knows all. Beautiful pictures even with the clouds.
The clouds packing the canyon look like fluffy snow. You got some lovely dramtic shots.
Thank you for the beautiful photos and I enjoy reading about your interactions with the public.
What dreamy pictures of the canyon wrapped in misty veils.
beautiful scenes
Sydney – City and Suburbs
It is amazing how people expect a tour guide to know everything, including the obviously impossible questions to answer. Hahahaha, I know all about it. But I agree, those who stuck around were treated to a fantastic view after the fog.
What amazing views! Personally, I am always thrilled to see valley cloud early in the morning. By 11am it is generally gone. When the children asked their meteorologist father what the weather would be like that day, his constant reply was "look out the window", and that he was no soothsayer.
It is really good to be back and seeing all the wonders that my friends post. Thanks for the support Gaelyn, prayer always helps.
gorgeous views! if i have this scene outside my office window, i'd be happy to go to work at 6 am.:p
Ah! The great outdoors! I just love going to the "office" to crank out an eight hour shift…
There is something special about seeing the fog and clouds lift and witnessing such a wonder unfolding in front of you. It seems more magical, than having it all out there, all the time.
The cloudy view looks like the 18% gray cloth that I use for white balancing. 🙂
The rest of the pics are breath-taking!
Very cool to see "the temple islands floating in a frothy sea" as you put it and then to see it after the clouds lifted…awesome!
The canyon supplies a never ending supply of moods and accompanying scenes. I love the photo of the clouds filling the lower parts, leaving the islands in view.
The pea soup must have been no fun for driving the canyon roads.