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Plateau Point Sunset Day 3 – Part 7

Jan and Amy Indian Garden Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan and Amy
After our hike up from Bright Angel camp and dinner at our Indian Garden Camp we hiked out 1.5 miles (2.4 km) for a Plateau Point sunset.
Plateau Point trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaPlateau Point Trail
I’d seen an amazing sunset from there during my spring hike.
Jan at Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan at Plateau Point
The end of this relatively flat trail offers spectacular views of the inner canyon gorge, North Rim, Bright Angel Trail and the Colorado River.
(Check out the giant cow shadow walking up Bright Angel Canyon towards the North Rim.)
Colorado River from Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaColorado River
Pipe Springs Rapid at mile 89 is rated a 3 on a 1-10 scale (1 is easiest) and has a 7 foot (2.13 meter) drop. One of the little rapids.
View from Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaEvening light on Cheops Pyramid (left), Brahama and Zoroaster Temples (right)
Canyon geologist Clarence Dutton gave names from Asian religions to some topographic formations during his 1882 survey of Grand Canyon from the North Rim.
Sunset from Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSunset over the Colorado River
Without clouds the sunset was limited to the west.
Last light on temples from Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSunset on Brahama and Zoroaster Temples
But the colors of the canyon sang under the evening light.
Sunset from Plateau Point Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLast light on Brahama and Zoroaster Temples
South Rim from Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMorning light on Bright Angel Trail to South Rim
This is the view of the last stretch of our rim to rim hike across the Grand Canyon.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments , , , 18 Comments

Rim to Rim Grand Canyon ascent to Indian Garden Day 3 – Part 6

Amy on silver bridge Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy on Silver Bridge
We said good bye to new made friends from the trail and Phantom Ranch. Our third day on the trail, we headed for the Silver Suspension Bridge to cross the Colorado River and begin our ascent to Indian Garden camp.
Colorado River Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDownstream Colorado River
Before the completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 the Spanish named Rio de Colorado carried as much as 380,000 tons (345,000 metric tons) of sediment per day. Today, the river carries only about 40,000 tons (36,300 metric tons) daily. This has caused erosion where deposition should occur.
Colorado River Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaUpstream – Silver and Black Bridges
The Black Bridge was completed in 1928 allowing people, and mules, to easily cross the Colorado River. The Silver Bridge was constructed in the late 1960s to support the pipeline carrying water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim.
Desert Big-horn sheep Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDesert Bighorn Sheep along Colorado River
Only my second sighting of the Bighorn and my first photos! From the South Rim these acrobats are frequently seen jumping from one skimpy ledge to another along the canyon walls. They can scramble up a sheer cliff face at 15mph (24 kmph).
Devils Corkscrew Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDevils Corkscrew along Bright Angel trail
After 1.6 miles (2.4 km) of relatively easy River Trail we began to climb 1360 feet (414 m) over 3.1 miles (5 km) to Indian Garden Camp by way of the appropriately named Devils Corkscrew back through the Vishnu Schist and desert environment.
Vishnu schist Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSchist with granite and quartz intrusions
Once I got a pace going I didn’t stop very often to take photos.
Indian Garden camp Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaIndian Garden Camp
After we’d set up camp at Indian Garden we had time to explore the area.
Johnson Jumper spider Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJohnson Jumper
Several seep springs in the area provide adequate water for the large Cottonwoods.
Jan Garden Creek Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan along Garden Creek
And the same creek that watered crops for people from the past offered respite for us.
Jan and Amy Plateau Point trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan and Amy
After we had dinner, prepared by Jan, we took another hike to watch the sunset at Plateau Point. No we aren’t masochists; this was only 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, almost level and no packs.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, Indian Garden Camp, National Parks and Monuments , , , , , 19 Comments

Ribbon Falls diversion – Rim to Rim Grand Canyon – Day 2 – Part 3

Cottonwood camp North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGood morning Amy
Cottonwood Camp at 4080 feet (1244 meters) was established in the 1920s as a layover for mule parties coming down from the North Rim. We human mules only carried 25 pound packs down 4170 feet (1275 meters) in 6.8 miles (10.9 km) on Day 1. After coffee and oatmeal, which presumably lightened the load, we felt good and ready to hit the trail early for Phantom Ranch including the Ribbon Falls diversion.
North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOza Butte glows under the morning sun
The campground is across from the intersection of The Transept and Bright Angel canyons.
North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaView back up to where the lodge is on Bright Angel Plateau
We waved at the lodge visitors lounging on the veranda and started our 7.9 mile (13 km) hike.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRibbon Falls
We took the side trail, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) out of Cottonwood campground, to Ribbon Falls. It’s a shorty, but we dropped our packs off on some boulders just off the main trail taking only water and cameras.
Monkey flowers Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMonkey flowers
This moist microclimate contrasts drastically with the surrounding desert. It’s so amazing to see waterfalls in the otherwise dry canyon bottom. It felt good to stand in the spray and soak our bandanas as the temperature climbed towards 80F/26.6C.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy almost behind the waterfall
Ribbon Creek flows through limestone dissolving and transporting calcium carbonate which then forms the travertine mound below the falls.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking through Ribbon Falls at the canyon walls
We continued to follow the slippery trail around the horseshoe shaped amphitheater.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan coming down the slope
Ribbon Creek North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRibbon Creek
Then came down slope back to Ribbon Creek and the trail back to the North Kaibab where we continued on into The Box.
Dragonfly North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDragon fly
After living in the desert so long I haven’t seen one of these in a while (other than on some other’s fabulous blogs).

 

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments , , , , 21 Comments

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