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Hiking the Drakensburgs

Sunrising over the Drakensburgs South Africa

Sunrise over the Drakensburgs

Except for the rain these mountains, the highest in Africa, captured my heart forever with their magic when I went hiking the Drakensburgs.

John on the trail Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

John on the trail

Fortunately Jo from Memorable Meanders introduced me to her son John who guided me on a 30k hike into this beauty.

Sun lizards at Breakfast Stream Drakensburg Mts South Africa

Sunlizards at Breakfast Stream

Stopping along the way to take pics of the flowers, bugs (remember I’ve been traveling with Joan), lizards and exceptional scenery.

Eye of the Needle Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

Eye of the Needle

We experienced the most amazing storm about 1k from camp. Had to stop walking, cover packs and with backs to the hard rain just absorb the energy as thunder and lightning tore the skies above, and prayed.

Gaelyn at Blind Man's Corner Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

Although I was tired and foot sore at the end of the day this hike was SO worth it.

The dragons teeth above camp Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

Spires above camp

Lost my camera to the ocean waves in Durban so replaced it with a Fuji with 12x zoom. Good thing I only lost a few photos.

View below Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

View of the Sphinx and valley below

Drakensburg mountains, South Africa , 19 Comments

Death Valley National Park Mosaic Canyon hike

Sunrise from Stovepipe Wells campground Death Valley National Park CaliforniaSunrise from Stovepipe Wells campground
Being in California put me in a different time zone so I awoke early enough to greet the day at Death Valley National Park.
View north from Stovepipe Wells campground Death Valley National Park CaliforniaView north of camp
Although the campground itself is just a big desert gravel parking lot the views from the valley floor are breathtaking at $12/night.
Ranger Glenn at Stovepipe Wells campground Death Valley National Park CaliforniaRanger Glenn
First thing, we attended a Ranger talk about adaptation for survival by animals in the extremes of Death Valley, like living without water and hiding underground or in shade from the scorching sun.
Jeremy at the mouth of Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaJeremy at the mouth of Mosaic Canyon
Only a few miles away, we next explored Mosaic Canyon with a short hike.
Conglomerate rocks Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaConglomerate
Eroded basement rock transported by water has been re-cemented together.
Marble rock Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaMarble
Old limestone from ancient lake bottoms metamorphosed into banded marble worthy of nature’s sculpture.
Gaelyn in Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaGaelyn in Mosaic Canyon
I could have hiked here all day enjoying the narrow canyon with new sights around every bend.
View at mouth of Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaLeaving Mosaic Canyon
But we had more to see in this vast place of outstanding beauty and the next stop was the Wildrose Charcoal kilns.
California, Death Valley National Park, National Parks and Monuments , 29 Comments

Last day hike out of Grand Canyon – Part 8

Indian Garden camp Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy and Jan Indian Garden Camp
I left camp first, but it wasn’t long before they passed me on this hike out of Grand Canyon. We had 4.6 miles (7.4 km) to hike with a gain of 3100 feet (945 meters).
Morning light on canyon wall Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMorning light on canyon wall above camp
We met again at 3-mile house.
View north to Plateau Point from Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaView south to Plateau Point from Bright Angel Trail
This trail has been used by people for hundreds of years. Native Americans first made the trail to access the spring fed Indian Garden where they farmed. In the late 1800s the trail was widened for tourists and Ralph Cameron charged $1 for its use. In the 1930s the National Park Service improved the trail.
Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThree-mile house above Jacobs Ladder along Bright Angel Trail
Water and restrooms are provided here and at One-and-a-half mile house.
The steep cliffs of the Redwall Limestone present a major obstacle for trail building.
South Rim from Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSouth Rim at top of fault
However the Bright Angel Fault makes a natural break. The rocks to the west (right) are uplifted 189 feet (58 meters) higher than those to the east.
Tunnel Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSecond tunnel (from the top)
At this point I am standing at the top of the buff-colored Coconino Sandstone seen in the photo of the South Rim above.
Pictographs Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaPictographs
Just before the next tunnel and above the trail is a panel of pictographs.
From here I could tell I was almost to the top because the women coming down had on makeup and smelled like perfume.
Gaelyn, Jan and Amy South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGaelyn, Jan and Amy
Amy and Jan topped out of the canyon about one hour before I did. And I broke my own time out by almost half. Guess I’m in better shape after a summer season of hiking than for the spring hike during training after a lazy winter.
Historic house South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMaggi’s house on South Rim
Ranger Maggi let us stay at her house that night and she drove us to Sophie’s Mexican Restaurant in Tusyan just south of the park where we bought her dinner.
Jan and Amy El Tovar South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan and Amy with Prickly Pear Cactus Lemonade cocktail on El Tovar porch
In the morning we did some South Rim sightseeing and bought a few souvenirs.
Gaelyn El Tovar South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGaelyn with same
Then we boarded the TransCanyon Shuttle at noon which returned us to the North Rim about 5pm.

In total we hiked 24 miles (38.62 km) over four days, a mile down and a mile up. It was awesome!
So would anyone like to join me next fall for a bloggers hike across Grand Canyon?

 
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments , , 13 Comments

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