Grand Canyon

Day 14, Full day exploring Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon - World Heritage Site is one of the Earth's most powerful, inspiring landscapes - overwhelms our senses.  Its story tells of geologic processes played out over unimaginable time spans as a unique combination of size, colour and erosion forms: 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide and 1 mile (1.6km) deep.  Our journey took us to the South Rim and we were blown away at the beauty of this area - this is just a small portion of the Grand Canyon.

Shuttle buses ran every 10-25 minutes during the day taking visitors along various Routes and we were able to get on and off at various scenic sights.  Additionally there were plenty of walking tracks in between view points so were able to ride in the bus or walk - although did not see any guard rails around the Rim walk!!

Up early this morning and caught the Red Shuttle Bus heading for Hermits Rest.  Hopped off the bus midway and walked back 1.3km calling into 3 scenic lookout points.  Bus driver said rain was on the way so hopped back on the bus and continued to Hermits Rest where we had a coffee and a look around.

Mary Colter Hermit's Rest (1914) was originally constructed as a rest stop for the short stage line that ran from El Tovar to this location.  It is a stone building placed several feet back from the rim edge and is tucked into a small man-made earthen mound, built around and atop the building to blend it in with its setting.  It was designed to resemble a dwelling constructed by an untrained mountain man using the natural timber and boulders of the area

 

Entrance to Hermits Rest

View from Hermits Rest

Hels at one of the many viewing spots

So many photographic opportunities with such a spectacular view - just a small selection posted below:

Believe it or not there is a juvenile Condor near the centre of this photo!

Had a few anxious moments when Helen needed an urgent call of nature and caught a bus back to Hermits Rest toilets and I continued on the rim walk however we did not get time to allocate a rendezvous point.  Luckily Helen sighted me walking along the trail and got off the bus at the next stop so were reunited! Caught the bus back to Market Plaza just as the rain started poring down so very lucky to get photos when we did as it rained the rest of the day.  Once back in the van we put the heater on and was quite cosy - only down side was no Happy Hour tonight!  I walked 7.9km while Helen walked 4.5km today.

We were blown away by the Grand Canyon South Rim and kept on taking photos as the scenery was so spectacular.  At every viewing point it was just wow factor plus - nature at its very best. 

A long way down to the Colorado River

Spot the person sitting on the right hand ledge

Luckily he walks away 

Deer greeting us at the entrance of the Campground

Lucky to have had the opportunity yesterday for photo taking as departing South Rim we were travelling through low cloud