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Category: Grand Canyon National Park South Rim

01 November 2016

Back on the road to Grand Canyon

Truck camper Yarnell ArizonaFeeling settled in and unpacked in my 5th-wheel home and the camper is back on the truck so it must be time to get back on the road again.  I drive up to Grand Canyon’s south rim Thursday and meet Bill.  Just can’t get enough of that big ditch.

Grand Canyon Historical Society t-shirt logoMade reservations for the 4th Grand Canyon History Symposium in August.  Check in Friday November 4th from 5-7pm followed by a special evening presentation about the WPA Park Posters by Doug Leen.  Saturday there is a full agenda of 16 presenters and another special evening program called Grand Canyon’s Fifty Finest Features presented by Gary Ladd.  Subjects range from Native American stories, photography, botany, architecture, river running and more.  Then Sunday from 9-11am Lyle Balenquah and Jason Nez will lead a special tour.  Plus Saturday historic boats will be displayed outside the Shrine of Ages.

Friends have offered parking and we can use Bill’s truck and the shuttles to get around.  I’m really excited about this learning opportunity.  Four years ago I attended this symposium and learned a lot at this “gathering of professional and avocational historians who will speak about historical topics specific to Grand Canyon National Park.  The goals of the symposium are to increase the knowledge and understanding of the history pertaining to the Grand Canyon and adjacent areas, and to promote communication and sharing among canyon historians, writers and enthusiasts.”

Glen Canyon Dam at Colorado River overlook Page ArizonaThen Monday we’re off to Page for the water release at Glen Canyon Dam beginning at 10am.  This is the fourth high-flow experiment “to move sand stored in the river channel and redeposit it to rebuild eroded sandbars and beaches downstream of the Paria River in Grand Canyon National Park.”

Stormy sunrise Lone Rock Lake Powell UtahThat night we plan to camp at the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area Lone Rock beach along Lake Powell.

Colorado River downstream Lees Ferry ArizonaTuesday we’ll go to Lee’s Ferry below the dam and see what the water flow looks like from there.

Colorado River Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon ArizonaThis should also include a stop at Navajo Bridge where we might get lucky and see a California Condor, or two.  Plus the Rio de Colorado should be running true to form as a River of Red.

Condor 54 soaring Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon Arizona

BTW, Veteran’ Day November 11 is a Fee Free day to all National Parks.  Personally, I have a Senior Geezer Pass so go free every day.  How about you?  Which park will you visit?

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Arizona, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, National Parks and Monuments history symposium, road trip, water release 18 Comments
11 May 2016

Three days training on the South Rim

May 2-4, 2016

Snow meadows Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Once again snow on the ground when we Rangers left the North Rim headed for training on the South Rim.

Storm clouds Vermilion Cliffs SR89A East Kaibab National Forest Arizona

After a quick cookie stop at Jacob Lake Inn we headed east off the the Kaibab Plateau under threatening skies which hung over the Vermilion Cliffs.

Marble Canyon SR89A East Arizona

The further east we got the clouds began to break up a bit and by the time we arrived on the South Rim there was a whole lot of blue sky.

Living room above Verkamps Visitor Center South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The five gals stayed above the old Verkamps store, now a visitor center, which is suppose to be haunted and has rattily old radiators and pipes.  Us two “senior” Rangers got the two bedrooms and the three younger gals brought sleeping pads and bags for the living room floor.  The walls are decorated with art from the park’s Artist-in-Residence program, of which I’m the Lead on the North Rim.

Canyon view from Verkamps South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnd an absolutely awesome view from the roof top porch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artifacts & fossils museum archives South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

After unpacking we toured the museum archives where I’ve been before but could definitely spend days to weeks to months.  We saw taxidermy animals, 1000s of years old split-twig figures, a sandal and pottery, millions of years old fossils and rocks, and John Wesley Powell’s pocket watch.

North Rim from South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThat night the ladies made a stir fry dinner for everyone, the guys went to a different house to stay in, and I went to bed early.  Heard a little rattling in the pipes but then fell asleep and wasn’t disturbed until the the alarm clock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart rock & Lookout Studio Rim Trail South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe next morning under clear blue skies and almost 60F some of us went on a Ranger lead fossil walk.

Condor South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Back to Verkamps for lunch and a bonus condor sighting and even though far away was very exciting.  After getting our keys and some office supplies we attended a training about Collaboration and Conflict which was exceedingly helpful considering how weird and crazy last season was.

View West Pima Point Hermit's Rest Road South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThen we had the rest of the afternoon to wander so I suggested a ride out to Hermit’s Rest.  Because we had a government car and the gate code we avoided using the shuttle for that rim drive.  Only stopped at a few overlooks, chatted with some Ravens, and did a quick spin into Hermit’s Rest before heading back to Verkamps for fajita dinner made by the guys.

Raven Hermit's Rest South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 

Temples from Grand View overlook South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

North Rim from Grand View overlook

View from Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

View from Desert View Watchtower

Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFirst thing the next morning we had to get photos and fingerprints for an ID card to get us logged on to the government computers then headed east out of the park with a stop at Grand View overlook, the Tusayan Museum, and Desert View Watchtower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echo Cliffs SR89 North Arizona

And past Echo Cliffs back home to the North Rim.

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Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Park Ranger, training 19 Comments
01 April 2015

Surprise visitor and visit to the South Rim

Lewis' Woodpecker on feeder Yarnell ArizonaLewis’ Woodpecker, a lifer

So I was lounging around Tuesday morning doing my usual routine of coffee, internet and watching the birds.  About 8:30 I get a message from Sandee, “I’m two hours east of Flagstaff.”  My reply, “I’m three hours south of Flagstaff.”  Oh Boy!  A surprise visitor and a road trip, plus a visit to the South Rim.  How fast can I pack?

Mt Humphreys from I40 East ArizonaMt Humphreys from I40

It took 1 1/2 hours to dress, pack the camper and fuel up plus 2 1/2 hours to get to Flagstaff where we met at the mall and then enjoyed lunch at La Fondas before deciding to camp in the Kaibab National Forest just out of town.  We sat outside until the sun dropped below the tall pines and the temperature immediately dropped also.  Then inside the camper chatted away until after 11 even though we know it’s time for bed.

Looking North from South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking longingly across canyon to my North Rim summer home

In the morning, shivering over coffee at 30F (-1C), we compared schedules.  Sandee was headed to a Sunday race in San Francisco.  I had no plans for my birthday the next day.  When I told Sandee we’re only an hour from Grand Canyon she said let’s go.  We hoped to get sites at Trailer Village in the park where I could plug in for heat.

Oh boy, another Grand Canyon birthday!  I hope you’re not tired of hearing about my celebrations because they’re not over yet.  In fact please feel free to blame Yogi/Alan for all this birthday celebrating as this year he’s partying for 121 days.  I’m only going for 61 days for the years I’ve been alive.  But I will try to limit this post to two glorious days at the Grand Canyon.

Sandee South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSandee really doesn’t like to get too close to the edge

I figured it would be easy to get a campsite this time of year.  We entered the park in separate vehicles and I was waved through with my Grand Canyon employee sticker so I stopped at the second pay station to wait for Sandee buying a park pass and talked to Ranger Scott who informed me, “It’s Spring Break.”  Yikes!!!!  The campgrounds were full so I left my truck at Market Plaza and we took Sandee’s vehicle to the visitor center at Mather Point.

El Tovar & Bright Angel trail South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaEl Tovar on the rim and Bright Angel trail below

We mostly avoided the worst of the crowds by walking part of the rim trail.  I love how the Park Service has put samples of the rocky layers of the canyon along the trail.  And of course I went into Park Ranger mode and shared the geologic story of the canyon along the way.  After almost two miles we cut off to Shrine of the Ages to catch a shuttle into the historic district where we had lunch at El Tovar.  Then shuttled back to Sandee’s rig and picked up my truck to head for the forest to camp for the night.

Camped Kaibab National Forest ArizonaOnly about 20 miles south of the park, and a few miles beyond the town of Tusayan, the Kaibab National Forest has options for free camping which I’m sure are packed in the summer.  Yet we saw very few neighbors.  Early to bed for Sandee, not accustomed to the 7000 feet (2133 m), guess I wore her out.  She assured me we got in over our 10,000 steps, for anybody that’s counting.  She leaves in the morning just before I woke up and continues on to her next adventure with a stop in Bakersfield along the way.  Having lived there for 9 months in another life I don’t understand the attraction until she mentions her fascination with Buck Owens.

So, it’s my birthday and I’m 20 minutes from the South Rim of Grand Canyon.  Of course I return to the park.  Oops, I wasn’t going to mention that again.  Winking smile

Steam engine South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOnce again I parked at the Market Plaza lot which is nice and big for many RVs then hopped on the shuttle to the historic district.  Imagine arriving by train to the Grand Canyon, an option since 1901.  Well you can, but only on special occasions by the old steam locomotives like No. 29 which is now semi-retired and parked near the train depot.  Other trains run twice daily from Williams and back.

Unkar delta Colorado River South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Unkar delta Colorado River South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAfter visiting a friend I hopped back on the shuttle, got my truck and headed 25 miles (41 k) east to the Desert View Watchtower trying to stop at overlooks along the way.  But unfortunately there isn’t always parking available.  One of the reasons I don’t like the South Rim is the crowds.  But one of the reasons I do like the South Rim is all the possible views of the Colorado River.  Of course there’s no bad views.

Desert View Watchtower from Lipan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Colorado River downstream South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI manage to squeeze into Lipan Point overlook, one of my favorites, with a view of both the river and the Watchtower.

Colorado River & Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe Desert View Watchtower is one of several outstanding architectural designs by Mary Colter on the South Rim made to look like a Native Puebloan tower and completed in 1932.  I am typically looking 6-8 miles cross canyon from the North Rim Cape Royal overlook to see the tiny bump of the tower on the horizon.

Mural Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Native art Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Looking up Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking up

Inside the tower bold murals by Hopi Fred Kabotie decorate the walls along with petroglyph-like decorations by Fred Greer.

Looking down Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking down

Stairs & art Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Stairwell Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona85 narrow stone steps spiral to the top of this 70-foot (21 m) tower accessing balconies with views along the way.

Truckcamper Kaibab National Forest ArizonaMorning view of camp

Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the semi-cloudy and probably colorful sunset views as I needed to return to the forest outside the park once again to camp and I don’t like to drive in the dark.

Late light in the canyon & Colorado River Navajo Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI paused to savor the canyon, content to know I’ll be returning to the North Rim by the end of April.  And the next morning drove home to Yarnell to plan my next journey.

Plan ahead
·Before visiting any of the over 400 National Park sites do your homework and visit their website.  Camping, lodging and backcountry use in many parks may require reservations or permits far in advance.
·Weather patterns can be difficult to predict, especially at high elevation.  Expect extremes from day through night and be able to dress accordingly.
·Shuttle service on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is efficient and reduces vehicle congestion on the roads, overlooks and parking lots.  Vehicles can even be parked in the town of Tusayan, just south of the park, where shuttle service is also provided.  Note the shuttle does not go to Desert View Watchtower.
·Don’t over plan but do be prepared and have fun.

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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