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Category: Grand Canyon National Park South Rim

Hermits Rest Grand Canyon National Park

01 View NW from Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)
After driving west along the rim on Hermit Road with stops like Pima Point along the way to enjoy the canyon views the road ends at Hermits Rest.
02 Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x657)
This stone arch invites you to walk a short ways along the canyon rim to find refuge, or tackle the Hermit trail.
03 Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
Built by Mary Colter in 1914, Hermits Rest was designed to look like an old miner’s cabin with a natural stone formation.
04 Fireplace inside Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x749)
The rock on the huge fireplace was darkened by hand to lend a look of antiquity.
05 Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
Hermits Rest houses a gift shop and small snack bar.
06 View NW from Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
The porch offers great views.
07 View NW from Hermits Rest Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)
No hermit ever lived here.  The name comes from the 1890s when Louis Boucher lived alone at the nearby Dripping Springs.
08 Sunset in side mirror SR GRCA NP AZ (733x1024)
Someday I’ll have to continue the journey by foot down the steeply winding Hermit Trail which begins about .5 miles beyond Hermits Rest.  But this day would end visiting a friend who lives and works on the South Rim.  So I headed back east on Hermit Road.
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Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Our World Tuesday 16 Comments

Pima Point overlook Grand Canyon National Park

01 Trail & canyon view from Pima Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
So many people have commented on the wide variety of views at Grand Canyon.  When I’m working in the visitor center on the North Rim during the summer I am often asked by visitors “where’s the best view?”  My pat answer, “there’s no bad views of Grand Canyon.”
02 View N & Colorado R from Pima Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)
Yet I am unfamiliar with the South Rim overlooks so was excited to get a chance to drive out on the Hermit Road to explore the many views with parking and small walks, like Mohave, Hopi and Pima Points.
03 View NW & Colorado R from Pima Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
Look closely on the left side of the fin seen in the lower right and you’ll see part of Hermit Trail which leads to the remains of Hermit Camp Built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1911-12. Back in those days visitors arrived by train then traveled nine miles by stage coach to Hermit Rest, one mile west, followed by a mule ride to the river and a night’s stay at Hermit Camp for $18.25.  The tent accommodations included stoves, glass windows, real beds, and wooden floors covered with Navajo rugs.  Cabins eventually replaced the tents.  An aerial tramway from Pima Point carried supplies to Hermit Camp.  In 1928 the Santa Fe abandoned the camp.  I haven’t hiked this one, yet.
04 View NE from Pima Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
To the west I recognized Wotons Throne in the distance.
05 Sundog from Pima Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
And just before I left a sundog appeared.  I’ve been blessed with several of those this winter. Next stop, end of the road at Hermit Rest.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim 15 Comments

Hopi Point overlook at Grand Canyon

01 Colorado R, Plateau Pt trail, Bright Angel Canyon & temples on NR from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x670)
After touring the historic boat collection last month when I was at Grand Canyon I drove back out on the Hermit Road stopping at Hopi Point on the way to Hermits Rest. I looked lovingly across canyon at my summer home on the North Rim. Bright Angel Canyon heads north from the river.
02 Colorado R & Plateau Pt trail from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)
Yes, you can see the river. That could be Horn Creek Rapids below. The trail you can see leads to Plateau Point.
03 View NW from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x687)
Hopi Point overlook also provides a great view down canyon for miles and miles.
04 Inner gorge shist & granite from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (768x1024)
And down into the depths of the canyon to the basement rock of gray/green Vishnu schist, pink Zoroaster granite and white quartz.
05 View NW from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (763x1024)
Many drainages flow into the Colorado River.
06 View NE-E from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ pano (1024x404)
Looking up canyon I barely recognize some of the landmarks I so often see from the North Rim, the Deva, Brahma and Zoroaster temples to the left. Further in the distance…
07 Wotons Throne & Vishnu Temple from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x768)
…Wotons Throne and the Vishnu Temple. Clarence Dutton, an early canyon geologist with an interest in cultural mythology named many of the canyons landmarks.
08 Colorado R & view NW from Hopi Pt Hermit Rd SR GRCA NP AZ (1024x696)
As the sun is quickly westering and I want to see more views of the canyon it is time to move on from Hopi Point. See the river downstream from here too.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim 26 Comments

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