Staying home on a quiet weekend often finds me hiking the Transept trail along the west rim of the North Rim’s developed area and located less than .25 mile from my RV home.
The view crosses Transept canyon looking west at Widforss Plateau. The entire trail from the Grand Lodge to the campground covers 1.5 miles of forested rim.
Keep your eyes open for sweet little side trails…
…to almost secret rocky overlooks.
Pinedrops
Plus colorful treasures in the forest.
Mike has really overcome his fear of edges. Maybe a little too much.
Possibly he learned that from me.
Our discoveries are many including this huge sponge fossil.
And I love the sculptures of eroded limestone stacked like ancient building blocks.
Geologist Clarence Dutton named the Transept Canyon in 1882 because of the way it crosses the north-south Bright Angel Canyon at an east-west angle like the arms of a cruciform church. He remarked that it was “one of the finest and perhaps most picturesque gorges in the whole Kaibab front.”
So much beauty it boggles the mind.
I used to love sitting on the edge but not anymore.
Excellent!! MB
Mike! Get away from that edge!
Stunning forest walks, side trails, overlooks and views. Wow. I love it. And gasped when I saw Mike sitting on the edge – yes, I suspect he learnt it from you. Thanks for a beautful hike along Trancept Trail. Bless you both. (((Hugs))) Jo
Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for the hike, Mike that is just too close! I have no fear of heights but I don't believe in taking risks:-) You would not get my husband anywhere near any of those drops, even the roof is too high for him!! Diane
The edge is where you can really feel alive!
Your such a good teacher! If I can stand on the edge like that, there's nothing that I can't do…
Maybe hang gliding off the edge into the canyon is next… maybe…
My tummy did flip flops when seeing photos of you and Mike so close to the edge. What on earth are pinedrops? Looks like pinecones rising from the earth on stems. I've missed visiting here – thanks for the breather!
Wow..what a beautiful place to walk..nice that it is so close to the RV.
Yikes..I think you should teach Mike to not get as close to the edge..it giving me queezzy feelings.
What views you had, Gaelyn. But…EEEEK! Tell Mike to get back from the edge!
Your pictures are phenomenal! You and Mike must have so much fun exploring on your weekends. Those eroded limestone sculptures look cool. 🙂
Gaelyn: That is so beautiful.
The sights are awe inspiring! I get butterflies in my stomach seeing you (both) near the edge like that.
I wish I could take portraits from that same spot you had Mike perched at in the last photo. The backdrop is positively surreal.
This is on the North Rim? We've gotta get to the North Rim sometime when things are open–and spend more than an afternoon there. sigh!
Oh my gosh..what a view..sigh…
Beautiful views and details. This looks like a wonderful hike, although it might be a little too exhilarating for me. I am amazed that Mike was able to conquer his fear of heights so completely. Just seeing him sitting on the edge gives me the shivers.
Gaelyn, what a spectacular walk, it is absolutely breathtaking. I'm pretty good with heights but Mike is a whole lot braver than me. I hope you have a rope on him!!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful part of the world with us and have a wonderful and safe long weekend.
Smiles
Some of those pictures should be painting Gaelyn. I can never get tired of seeing all the colors in the rock formations there.
I did not make it to see your beautiful world. I lost three weeks of my life after losing a wrestling match with poison ivy. Hopefully next year.
I love your posts and photos.
Wow, the sponge fossil is cool!
Those overlooks are just spectacular. The last photo is my favorite.
Words fail me. Such beauty!
With the park being so popular its must be awesome going down these little trails and getting away from the crowds.
It's so beautiful there. I can see why you love it so much.