.jpg "Ranger Gaelyn NR GRCA NP AZ")
Ranger GaelynAfter 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.
.jpg "CA Condor size comparison chart Vermilion Cliffs AZ")
Condor size comparisons posted below Vermillion Cliffs release siteYet 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.
However, I didn’t limit myself to just the Grand Canyon, as there are so many amazing places in the area..jpg "Fire tower Jacob Lake Kaibab NF AZ")
Jacob Lake fire lookout towerJacob 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.
.jpg "Vermilion Cliffs AZ")
Vermillion CliffsHeading 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.
.jpg "Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon AZ")
Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble CanyonThere 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.
.jpg "Historic building Lee's Ferry GLCA NRA AZ")
Lee’s Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation AreaA 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?
.jpg "Windsor Castle PISP NM AZ")
Windsor Castle at Pipe Spring NMHeading 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.
.jpg "The Cathedral Zion NP UT")
The Cathedral at Zion NPIf 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.
.jpg "The Great White Throne Zion NP UT")
The Great White Throne at Zion NPA park shuttle takes you to several amazing places in Zion Canyon where you can hike or just enjoy the views.
.jpg "Mules on the North Kaibab trail NR GRCA NP AZ")
Mules on the North Kaibab trailOne 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.
.jpg "Fall aspen Harvey Meadow NR GRCA NP AZ")
Golden fall Aspen Harvey Meadows Grand CanyonAs 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.