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Stretching my legs on the Cape Final hike

 cape-final-trail-map

Stretching our legs for this weeks hike on the North Kaibab trail. Mike will hike down seven miles with me to Cottonwood campground Thursday. Then Friday he hikes back up almost 4,000 feet and I continue down seven more miles to Phantom Ranch. Saturday to Tuesday I’ll be on the Colorado River then fly back to Kanab, Utah where someone will pick me up along with another employee/river runner.

Mike on Cape Final trail & sign North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Oh yea, so what does that have to do with a Cape Final hike? Just a little warm up and Mike testing out his new backpack.

 Ponderosa pine shows lightning strike Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

At two gentle miles each way, this is an awesome hike through a healthy Ponderosa Pine forest. Healthy because of fire. I read somewhere that one out of ten mature Ponderosa pines on the North Rim have been struck by lightning and the evidence surrounded us.

Wildflowers along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Along with a colorful wildflower show.

Canyon view NNE with Little Colorado River mouth along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The trail approaches the rim as if from out of nowhere.

 Ponderosa pine forest along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Then briefly winds back into the forest.

Canyon view South from Cape Final North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

With a dip and a climb we were back to the rim. 

Gaelyn looking into canyon from Cape Final North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I wanted to see the river. Was it still flowing like chocolate?

 Colorado River at Unkar Delta from Cape Final North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaColorado River at Unkar Delta from Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Yes!

 Mike setting out picnic at Cape Final North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Mike put out a delicious picnic lunch.

 Mike at Cape Final & smoke from SR fire North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Then we walked to the tip of Cape Final to enjoy the views. And saw smoke from the New Water fire on the South Rim.

 Raven in ponderosa pine along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

All too soon it was time to head back. How did we know? The Raven told us so.

 Y-shaped ponderosa pine along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Why did we listen?

 Birds nest on snag along Cape Final trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

It was time to fly home.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments , 16 Comments

Drakensberg hike to Brian Bush Camp – Day 1 of 2

Sunrise from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg South Africa

After two days of intermittent rain in the Bergs Joan and I woke up to clear skies above. And that’s where I’d be headed for my scheduled overnight Drakensberg hike lead by John (son of Jo from memorable meanders).

Trailhead from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

A good sign.  About 8.5 miles (14 km) to Brian Bush Camp. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about the distance. It felt like that far.)

Sandstone cliffs Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

We initially walked up through a short stretch of indigenous forest, and then continued into bushveld, thick scrubby trees and bush in dense thickets, and eventually grassland.

 Crystal Falls Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

I took a fall at Crystal Falls stepping onto a slippery rock to take a photo but was OK and saved the new camera from a soaking. Actually drank the stream water, delicious and no problems.

Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak & the Sterkhorn Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Champagne Castle 3377m, Cathkin Peak 3148m & the Sterkhorn 2973m

A little further past the Sphinx the path winds steeply up the rest of the Little Berg and onto the plateau.

Bugs, butterflies and lizards Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Once on the plateau we stopped at Breakfast Stream for a snack and were entertained by a couple of sun lizards (top right).

Eye of the Needle Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The eye of the needle

The path lead us slightly uphill and down following the gentle contour of this lush plateau.

Flowers Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Even during fall there were a few flowers and we grazed along  the way on wild berries.

The Sphinx & valley view Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt approximately 1,400 meters thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles.

Basalt with zeolites Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Many of the primary minerals within the basalts have been altered to form zeolites, found in cavities in basalt. Looked like pale blue banded agate to me.

Gaelyn at Blind Man's Corner Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Day hiking is not recommended beyond Blinds man corner…

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

…a great place to stop for lunch and enjoy the views.

Dragons Teeth & Eye of the needle Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

As we continued towards the Dragons Teeth it seemed the breath of the dragon began to roll in.

Stream Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa 

Suddenly a monster storm rolled over us with loud and energetic thunder and lightning dropping buckets of water until we were soaked.

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Just as quickly, the storm moved on and the earth smelled freshly washed.

 Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Soon after the squall passed we turned a corner and saw Monks Cowl towering above Brian Bush Camp.

 Bush Camp Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

And in only a bit farther–seemed like forever at that point–John had camp set up and hot water on for tea and cocoa. He’s a great guy and guide. We basically dried fast after our drenching yet as the sun disappeared I was glad for dry poly and warm supper. John walked down to the stream and took a dip before retiring but not me. I like hot water down my back, which would happen the next day after our hike back.

(Update: my apologies, as the name of the camp is actually Keith Bush camp.)

Drakensburg mountains, South Africa , , 13 Comments

Hiking Grand Canyon Day 4 – To the Top

30F morning at Indian Garden Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Just frozen brains

It was hard to get out of our sleeping bags that morning at Indian Garden. Low 13 F! Both of us had ice on our stocking caps. Yet nature and coffee called.

Cheops Pyramid and North Rim from Indian Garden Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Looking at the North Rim, Home Sweet Home

After breakfast we walked west towards Plateau Point overlook to warm up before heading up 3100 feet (945 m) for the final trek of 4.6 miles (7.4 km).

Snow on the South Rim and Mike on Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Yes, that’s Mike in front of that over weight pack

The trail starts up rather gradually across the Tonto Formation. Then Jacobs Ladder switchbacks across the widest band of exposed rock, the Redwall Limestone. Usually an impenetrable rock face, Bright Angel trail was built in an ancient fault zone that creates a break in this sheer cliff. (Note the offset on the light-colored wide layer almost at the top of the Coconino Sandstone.)

Mule train passing 3-mile house Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Mule train passing below resthouse

Three-mile Resthouse sits at the top of the Redwall, a dividing line between forest and desert-scrub habitats.

Snow on South Rim above Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

From here the trail travels more gradually over crumbly layers of shale mixed with limestone and sandstone. And, of course more switchbacks, with waterbars that are logs across the trail to keep it from washing away. Sort of like unevenly spaced steps with a rise of 6-18 inches (15-45 cm).

Snow on South Rim from Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Next stop, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, which also offers compost toilets and during summer potable water and sits below yet another steep cliff face of Coconino Sandstone. Both resthouses provide a sheltered place to drop the every growing heavier packs and have a snack. (Eating would seem to lighten the load but didn’t feel that way.)

Mike on snowy Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Plus couldn’t stop for long or the body would start to chill.

Second tunnel Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Seeing the second tunnel gave hope that we were almost at the top. Well after many more switchbacks and waterbars that is.

Icycles along Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

By the time we got to First tunnel I was too tired to lift my feet let alone the camera.

Sunset over Indian Garden, Plateau Point and North Rim from Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

But once at the top with no heavy pack on my back I turned to see where we had been. I felt triumph and awe filled with wonder. Plus hunger so strong I was very cranky when Mike said to pick up my pack to catch the bus to where our truck was parked. That was quickly resolved with dinner at the Arizona Room of Bright Angel Lodge where we sat in quiet reflection and watched sunset over the canyon.

Sunset from the Villiage South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

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

Lijit

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