July 18 & 19, 2017
Two days off work so I headed out to a favorite rim overlook to camp, see how the site would be for August 21st’s partial solar eclipse, and ended up with amazing sunset and rise skies during monsoon at Marble View.
The drive out of the park and into the Kaibab National Forest includes long stretches of meadows with a profusion of wildflowers.
I allowed plenty of time to stop and photograph smell the flowers along the way. I was also lucky enough to see deer and bison grazing under a sky full of heavy boiling clouds.
The closer I got to Marble View the narrower the gravel forest roads became.
Until finally the tree tunnel approach to the end.
Stormy sky to the north and east greeted me at this tundra like point with a big view all the way to Vermilion Cliffs and beyond.
I parked away from the rim by big Ponderosa Pines to stay out of the wind and still have a view.
Then wandered slowly to the rim looking down for fossils and up at the view keeping a wary eye on the sky. The wildflowers grow stunted like on the tundra from a lack of soil.
Had several local friends ask if the ammo box under a pile of rocks was still at the end of the point. However, it’s a bit of a scramble and with storms and possible rain around I opted not to go for it and check. There’s a decent signal at Marble View so I did send some pics into the cyberworld, mostly from the phone.
Storms continued to build all afternoon but danced around my isolated point of view.
It was love at first sight with this pinyon pine at Marble View overlook many years ago. A true survivor of many monsoon storms. It offers shade, counsel, and a fine view of Marble Canyon and Navajo Mountain.
I spent the afternoon watching the storms from different angles and in different directions. Used the tripod and tried for lightning. Sadly, my slow shutter finger didn’t capture any flashes. I wished for a lightning trigger.
Thank goodness for digital because I took 100s of pics trying to catch the lightning.
The reverse sunset was looking good. Then rain began to fall lightly so I set the tripod up in the camper door and continued to try and catch lightning by setting the timer for every three seconds over 30 shots. The light show was excellent.
As the last of the reflected sunset color made the sky turn red a vertical rainbow arrived to the east for a really grand show.
While to the west crepuscular rays lit up the sky.
The show continued and darkness set in when I finally got that long hoped for lightning shot, behind a tree.
And, believe it or not, I was actually awake in time for sunrise but with the dark low clouds wasn’t sure I’d get much color.
The sun persisted and found a clear opening next to Navajo Mt.
Even the crescent moon found an opening in the clouds.
I like being able to enjoy morning coffee with a show like this right outside my windows/door/back yard.
I should wake up for more sunrises.
I know this post is photo heavy because I just couldn’t decide which pics I liked best out of the collection of several 1000.
After breakfast only low clouds stuck around yet the morning view was bright and hazy.
I tried to figure out what the sun’s trajectory would be for the August 21st eclipse. Even though it’s only a partial here—starting about 9:13am, peaking at 10:33 at 73.4% and over by noon—I still want to see it, safely with glasses and filter. I won’t be able to get a landscape at the same time as the sun will be too high in the sky.
I left camp reluctantly about 11:30 and made many stops for photos of various wildflowers growing under the young aspen.
Surprised by the amount of growth after last year’s “pruning” I saw aspen trees already two feet tall and one foot for the New Mexican Locust.
Fireweed, Paintbrush, Daisy, Aster
Under the young yet larger aspen grew paintbrush, lupine, fireweed, aster, daisy, and more. The young aspen seem to dance with twists and turns in their trunks caused by the weight of winter snow.
Finally back to the main highway, pavement, and home for another week of working at Grand Canyon.
Getting there
This eastern view over Marble Canyon and beyond to Navajo Mountain is an easily reached location on the Kaibab National Forest. From SR67 between Jacob Lake and the entrance to North Rim Grand Canyon National Park, Forest Road (FR) 611 East, FR 610 South/right curves East and parallels forest and park boundary, FR219 North/left to end. About 14 miles of typically good gravel road doable by any vehicle if taken slowly. Space for four to eight camps. I’ve seen smallish camp trailers and motor homes. A fantastic place to disperse camp for free on the Kaibab National Forest up to 14 days.
Not sure if this comment is going to work but these are spectacular photos. Have tried all sorts of means with WordPress so I might show up as anything or not at all!!! Diane
Thanks Diane. Sure wish I knew what the deal is with WordPress, but this one came through. When I opened comments to anyone with no name etc I got Way too much spam.
I know what you mean about so many good photos that it’s hard to decide which to keep. Loved them all.
Thanks Donna. Often it’s very hard to decide.
Oh, my….those are outstanding sunrise photos, Gaelyn! Simply spectacular!
Thank you. I was amazed and may have to start getting up earlier.
One of our all time favorite camp spots! Great post!😀
Thanks Shirley. Heading to Crazy Jug today.
What a great day you had in Marble Canyon! Your photos are stunning, thanks for taking us along. What software did you use to ‘stack’ your Annular Eclipse photos? That’s a great way to display them.
Thanks. I can’t remember how I made that eclipse display. Am open to suggestions for this next round.
Beautiful photos, even the failed attempts at capturing a lighting strike.
Thank you, Gaelyn!
Thanks George. You’re a sweetheart.
Wonderful skies!! Love the beautiful pinons. They are such hardy trees with great beauty. Never too many photos from you :-))))
Thanks Jodee. After three days off grid I’m way behind on your adventures. Be well.
Boy, you hit the jackpot with spectacular photos!! I enjoyed every photo…never too many of something so beautiful:) Love you and that cute pinon:)
Thanks Pam. I do love that location, or any along the rim really. Just spent three days looking west down canyon and now have 1000s more photos. Trying to catch up on your adventures.
Awesome photos Gaelyn…and what a spectacular spot to camp. Our monsoons have also rewarded us with some brilliant Pacific Ocean sunsets here on our central coast…but would trade it off anytime for some North Rim magic.
Thanks. Hard not to feel rewarded with sunsets anywhere. I haven’t seen one into the Pacific in way too long. Maybe this fall.
This series is beyond beautiful! I’m in awe and loved every picture….. we’re planning for the eclipse too and just hoping the roads aren’t so clogged up with the million visitors expected in Oregon that we can’t even get out of our door. And also that we don’t have rain and heavy cloud cover or more forest fire smoke….. you might not be in the path of totality, but your chances may be better for a good view anyway.
Thanks Sallie. I scored at Marble View. Hope you get to see the eclipse without too much crowd.
Fabulous collection of photos, Gaelyn, so pretty!
Thanks Patti.