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Category: Grand Canyon NP

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Highway 67 into the North Rim 2008
Summer is on its way and that means it’s time for me to go back to Grand Canyon National Park where I work as a seasonal Park Ranger at the North Rim.

The road trip exploring Arizona was just what I needed. I took the camper to a storage place in Kanab, Utah last Saturday then drove nonstop back to my winter home.

Home at the canyon
I leave Yarnell Sunday and arrive in the park Monday to set up my rolling home for almost six months in the employee campground under the Ponderosa Pines, my favorite tree.

Me ready to hike last year
I’m supposed to have a phone and internet by Tuesday. But I’m being told the broadband is used up, which I refuse to believe, and that I will have to settle with dial-up. No Way! I had DSL last year and want it this year also. More on that later.

Redbud along North Kaibab Trail
A week from today, just in case I can’t get back online, I leave for a four day hike across the canyon plus 4-5 days of training on the South Rim. I’m sure to have 100’s of pics with my new camera so there will be plenty to see of the canyon in the near future.

North Rim from Bright Angel Trail
I’m looking forward to another great summer at Grand Canyon National Park. Hope you’ll come for a visit, for real or virtual.
Arizona, Grand Canyon NP 16 Comments

The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park Summer 2008

Ranger Gaelyn North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRanger Gaelyn
After hiking rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon during training as a Park Ranger I could intelligently talk to visitors about the challenge involved. Down is optional, up is mandatory.
California Condor size comparison chart Vermilion Cliffs ArizonaCondor size comparisons posted below Vermillion Cliffs release site
Yet I also had a lot to learn about Grand Canyon National Park in preparation for presenting nine different Ranger programs. I spent the first month working every waking hour; reading, writing, researching, prepping, practicing and learning PowerPoint. All very interesting and well worth it.
Map of Grand Canyon and area ArizonaHowever, I didn’t limit myself to just the Grand Canyon, as there are so many amazing places in the area.
Fire tower Jacob Lake Kaibab National Forest ArizonaJacob Lake fire lookout tower
Jacob Lake Inn lies at the junction of highways 89A, and 67 into the North Rim. There is fuel, cabins, a restaurant with delectable home baked cookies, and a gift shop overflowing with a wide variety of excellently selected Native American arts and crafts.  But don’t expect to swim in Jacob Lake.
Vermlion Cliffs ArizonaVermillion Cliffs
Heading east you drop off the plateau onto House Rock Valley and follow the Vermillion Cliffs to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge, one of two Grand Canyon crossings located 277 miles apart.
Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon ArizonaNavajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon
There are actually two bridges and a small parking lot on one side with a visitor center. This is a worthwhile stop as you can walk onto the original bridge built in 1929 where you might see a California Condor.
Historic building Lee's Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ArizonaLee’s Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
A short side trip upriver takes you to Lee’s Ferry, the original way to cross the Colorado River. This is also where the river rafting trips start. I haven’t gotten to do this, yet. Maybe I need to befriend some river guides. Anybody out there?
Windsor Castle Pipe Springs National Monument ArizonaWindsor Castle at Pipe Spring NM
Heading north from Jacob Lake on Hwy 89A leads to Utah. But a side trip west on Hwy 389 from Fredonia, Arizona leads through the Kaibab (Ki’ bab) Indian Reservation and past Pipe Spring National Monument. Park Rangers lead tours of the main house that Mormons built over the spring in the 1870s. You can also wander around the visitor center, cowboy’s quarters, vegetable garden and often see a blacksmith demonstration.
The Cathedral Zion National Park UtahThe Cathedral at Zion NP
If you continue north on Hwy 89A into Utah past Kanab, Hwy 9 west drives right through Zion National Park. Be prepared to pay the entrance fee or show a Park’s Pass.
The Great White Throne Zion Nationa Park UtaThe Great White Throne at Zion NP
A park shuttle takes you to several amazing places in Zion Canyon where you can hike or just enjoy the views.
Mules on the North Kaibab trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMules on the North Kaibab trail
One of the last tourist activities I did at Grand Canyon was take a mule ride to Roaring Springs, five miles down from the North Rim. Mules are huge! A cross between a female horse and a male donkey, they are often bigger than a horse. One of the main advantages for mules on this narrow precipitous trail is they can see all four feet at the same time whereas horses only see the two front feet.
Fall aspen Harvey Meadow North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGolden fall Aspen Harvey Meadows Grand Canyon
As summer came to an end at the canyon so did my seasonal Park Ranger job. And so it was time to move back to Yarnell.
Arizona, Grand Canyon NP, My gypsy life , , , , , , , 21 Comments

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