Snow on San Fransisco peaks Arizona

San Francisco Peaks

All it took was a phone call for a winter visit to the South Rim Grand Canyon.

Amanda South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Amanda, a special friend and fellow Park Ranger from Oregon Caves days has made her way up the NPS ladder and works at Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Alaska. She was in training at the Albright Training Center located within GRCA NP. Wow, only a four hour drive away.

Afternoon view of North Rim from South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I took a short walk along the rim then met up with Amanda for dinner and made a plan for Saturday.

The Village from Rim trail South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

We walked about 4 miles (6.4 k) along the rim trail stopping to gaze at the canyon and chatting away as if it hadn’t been three years since we’d seen each other.

Afternoon shadows from temples South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The sky was clear so we didn’t expect a very colorful sunset but the light and shadow show never disappoints.

Hopi House South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

We ended up across from Hopi House (above) at El Tovar (below) for drinks and appetizers.

El Tovar South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Then back to El Tovar for breakfast along with another friend who works on the South Rim.

Morning shadows on Cheops Pyramid South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Windy and too cold for me so went back to camp while Amanda walked the rim trail from Hermits Rest back to The Village.

Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Later in the afternoon we all reconnected and thanks to our friend loaning us her car we drove out to the Desert Watch Tower without having to move the truck/camper.

Cedar Mt, Navajo land & Echo Cliffs from Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This far eastern view from the tower shows Cedar Mountain and across Navajo land to the shadowed Echo Cliffs.

Colorado River upstream Lippan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

We drove back towards The Village stopping at Lippan Point which juts out far enough to offer an almost 180 degree view.

Sunset over canyon & Colorado River Lippan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Amazing views of the Colorado River up and down stream as the last light slipped under the low building storm clouds…

Last light on canyon walls & Co River Lippan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

…turning the canyon walls to gold.

Last light on canyon walls Lippan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Cold wind increased as the last light faded. Time to head back to camp and say our goodbyes. In the morning we left the canyon under cloudy skies and a light bit of snow.