The Grand Canyon
#15160
05/12/08 12:36 AM
05/12/08 12:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Salt Lake City, Utah
Marty Everhard
OP
Old hand
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OP
Old hand
Joined: Sep 2005
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Since Nolad and I have gotten so far off topic in our Hawaii series I want to redeem myself and close out the Hawaii thread and get back to the National Parks! I am going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in two weeks. I actually reserved a week at " The Grand Canyon Lodge" two years ago, work got in the way, tried to go last year, and the reservation persists for next week. I hope work does not steal the occaision again. If anyone has stayed there, the tips and suggestions are appreciated! The closest I have gotten : Canyonlands NP, Island In The Sky
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Re: The Grand Canyon
[Re: James Morrissey]
#15162
05/15/08 04:02 PM
05/15/08 04:02 PM
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Joined: May 2007
west Michigan, USA
jadlh
Old hand
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Old hand
Joined: May 2007
west Michigan, USA
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I stayed on the North Rim about 10 years ago in those little cabins near the edge of the canyon. We took the mule ride down and I was really glad I had a ride on the way up. I wish I would have had better photo equipment then but then again I still think my newer equip is near the bottom of the line but at least I'm digital now. I hope you have a great trip Marty Here's a sunrise I'm glad I didn't miss.
Nolad Mechadesh
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Re: The Grand Canyon
[Re: Marty Everhard]
#15163
05/15/08 09:11 PM
05/15/08 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Tucson Jim
Old hand
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Old hand
Joined: Jul 2007
Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Marty:
Never had the pleasure of staying at the Lodge, but did use it as a jumping off place for a backpacking trip across to the South Rim. The North Rim is much less crowded than the South Rim, and there are several excellent vantage points within "spittin' distance" of the Lodge. The most obvious being Bright Angel Point, about a half mile down a paved path from the Lodge.
But, there are a lot of equally good or better views to be had a little ways further down the trails. They are also likely to be less crowded than the ones by the Lodge. But try to pick a trail that the mules don't use. On a hot summer's day, those puddles of mule p#$% can be downright overpowering.
There are a lot of viewpoints along the road to Cape Royal. The folks at the Lodge can help you identify some good spots. The light at the Canyon changes constantly from pre-dawn, to morning, to sunset, to afterglow, so if you find a spot you like, plan on two visits. If you are lucky, maybe you'll catch a mid-day storm to provide some really dramatic effects.
Remember to carry plenty of water, and, if you wander down any of the trails, don't forget that it is UPHILL on the way back. Enjoy.
Tucson Jim
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Re: The Grand Canyon
[Re: Marty Everhard]
#15165
05/16/08 02:22 AM
05/16/08 02:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Tucson Jim
Old hand
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Old hand
Joined: Jul 2007
Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Quote:
And I'll bet the backpack across was a lifetime experience,Jim. That last mile musta been a bitch though........
You've got that right! Even though we camped overnight at Phantom Ranch, I like to died climbing Jacob's Ladder, a series of switchbacks a couple of miles from the top on the way back out.
But fortunately I was distracted by what seemed like a couple of dozen Desert Bighorn Sheep browsing alongside the trail at several levels.
More than once, I was startled by a couple of them leaping across the trail within arm's reach in front of me. Did I have a camera? Of course not. Any extra weight I was carrying was devoted to food and water. (Mostly water) Different priorities in those days.
Let us know if you find any particularly good spots, since your post inspired me to decide to head up there myself in June.
Tucson Jim
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Re: The Grand Canyon
[Re: Tucson Jim]
#15166
05/17/08 01:04 AM
05/17/08 01:04 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Arizona
daveman
Old hand
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Old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Arizona
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I love the hike to the bottom of the grand canyon. That hike is incredible - it is like you are in a different world. You really cannot appreciate the canyon until you have hiked at least some way into it. I have been at the bottom twice - once camping at Phantom Ranch - the other time we spent a week at the bottom of hermits trail. Really a great place. I think it is harder hiking down than up - my legs were killing me on the way down. This is one of my favorite shots from the bottom- the building is one of the cabins at Phantom Ranch - this was taken from the North Bright Angel trail looking south - toward phantom ranch.
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