Because it’s a long ways down to the bottom of the canyon.
To see other shadows go to Shadow Shot Sunday 2 by clicking here.
Mount Hayden and beyond from Point Imperial
Fun on the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park begins Tuesday, May 15th. The Forest Service will open the gate at Jacob Lake to Highway 67 at 6am. The budding forest drive for about an hour should coincide with the National Park Service opening the entrance gate at 7am. There could be a waiting line, so please have patience. The Grand Canyon isn’t going anywhere.
From the entrance station drive 13 miles to the end of the road where the parking lot is. Think about making a stop in the Visitor Center for recommendations on what to see and do with your allotted time. Bring along the park newspaper you’ll receive when entering the park which includes a map of road and trail opportunities plus lots of good information. Stop by a Ranger program to learn more about the geology, ecology, natural and cultural history of Grand Canyon.
Bright Angel Point trail
Going to hike? Please remember to bring plenty of water and snacks along. Delicious spring water is available at several locations but small disposable water bottles are no longer sold in the park so ether bring along your own or be prepared to buy reusable bottles. Take your time and enjoy the views and experience. Hiking at 8200 feet (2499 meters) can cause breathing difficulties and altitude sickness.
Food services are available in the Grand Lodge for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make reservations for dinner. Another option is Deli in the Pines also located in the Lodge. I really like their pizza. And if you want something early the Rough Rider Salon serves coffee and donuts from 5:30 –10:30am.
Western rim view cabin
Accommodations at the Lodge’s cabins and hotels usually fill six months to a year in advance. But don’t give up. Try the Forever Resorts online reservation and there might be a cancellation. The next nearest over night accommodations are Kaibab Lodge and Jacob Lake Inn, located outside of the park.
The park’s developed campground recommends reservations made through recreation.gov. The Kaibab National Forest adjacent to the park allows dispersed camping for free. Please stop at the Forest Service visitor center in Jacob Lake for a good forest map and information about fire regulations.
If you want to experience the inner canyon without hiking consider a mule ride. The North Rim ride goes two miles down the North Kaibab trail just past the Supai Tunnel with amazing views into Roaring Springs Canyon. Only the South Rim mules go to the bottom.
Most of all, have fun. Enjoy America’s National Parks with respect and awe. What national parks will you be visiting soon?
To visit more of this magnificent world go to Our World Tuesday by clicking here.
Darn, the gate was locked on the Walhalla Plateau road so Point Imperial was out for the Perigee Supermoon.
Then I screwed up. Even after looking at several different websites I got the time wrong. Sunset at 7:10. I read moonrise at 8:35.
1/125s F/11
So Mike and I picked up Karen about 7:15, plenty of time to catch the last glow after sunset and set up for the Perigee Supermoon event. I even brought along a compass and guided everyone towards the Bright Angel trailhead. So while we’re all taking photos of the sunset the moon had already risen behind us.
1/40s F/5
Grabbing tripods with cameras we hurriedly moved down the trail a bit and set up again.
1/40s F11
Yet that old moon just didn’t seem as big as I’d expected. Seems I’ve read a lot of people saying that.
30s F22 (Looks more like the sun)
But that’s OK because we brought along two Nalgene bottles full of ice and one of premixed Margarita with prickly pear cactus syrup and plastic glasses. After all, it was Cinco de Mayo.
1/125s F/11
Lots of experimentation with the camera. Started off with some recommended settings and then just played around.
After about an hour we were getting cold so packed it in but not before turning around to see Venus high in the sky.
1/25s F/11
Took Karen back home and stopped for one last look at this years Perigee Supermoon through the pines.
To view more skies, and probably moons, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.
If you plan to photograph the upcoming astronomical events like May 20th’s Annular Solar Eclipse or June 5th’s Venus Transit remember that looking directly at the sun can damage your eyes and your digital camera. You can buy protective glasses and filters here. I hunted all over the web and was given this link by Martha’s Musings, an excellent photographer who travels all over California and beyond. Even with the high shipping on this $10 filter it was a better deal than the $900 plus I kept seeing. I couldn’t bare the thought of not taking photos of these events. And I’m not getting paid for this, although maybe I should.