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ithilwenOK, it's been over three months since we set paused on our hike down the South Kaibab trail. That's a long enough break for even the laziest hiker. So get back on your feet - we have some hiking to do!
Lifeforms in the desert are TOUGH! As we continue our descent, we walk right past this tree, clinging tenaciously to the edge of the trail.
To me, that tree looks like some demented example of espaliering. But the only gardener responsible was Mother Nature. It seems happy enough in its precarious position!
We're approaching our destination, Cedar Ridge:
And here we are - Cedar Ridge. As you can see, it's a broad, flat spot with wonderful panoramic views, located about a mile and a half below the South Rim. it makes a good turn-around point for dayhikers, as well as a wonderful spot for a relaxing picnic lunch.
At Cedar Ridge, the dead trees are more impressive than the live ones:
The gorgeous views from the edge of Cedar Ridge:
(You can see a faint trail leading out past that small rock mesa in the second photo, which gets you even more spectacular views, or so I am told. I was too lazy and too chicken to hike it.)
And the prettiest sight of all (to a hiker's eye, that is): a real toilet!
That tree surrounded by a stone ring made a fine shady spot for lunch, too.
The South Kaibab hike is unusual, in that it is only 1.5 miles long going down, but about 1.5 thousand miles long going back up. Somehow ordinary laws of time and space don't apply at the Grand Canyon! Still, the excessively long return hike brought some interesting sights of its own.
A mule train - and one not carrying riders:
What are they doing?
Repairing the trail, that's what!
Each mule is fitted with a canvas pannier. When the bottom of the pannier (which is open) is looped up and connected to the top of the pannier, the result is a nice canvas sack, perfect for holding a half-bushel or so of soil. When the mule train reaches the eroded portion of the trail, the ranger just unhooks the pannier and lets the bottom drop down, and the soil pours out onto the trail. Easy!
A closeup of the mule train, from the top of the trail. That must be quite the job, riding up and down the trail all day!
And finally, here's me at the top of the trail - proof for you doubters that I did not in fact just grab these photos off the web. ;-)
If you ever visit the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend this day hike. Just take it slow and carry lots of water, as there's none to be had on the trail.
Next: One final Mary Jane Coulter building, before we live the rim for the river.
Lifeforms in the desert are TOUGH! As we continue our descent, we walk right past this tree, clinging tenaciously to the edge of the trail.
To me, that tree looks like some demented example of espaliering. But the only gardener responsible was Mother Nature. It seems happy enough in its precarious position!
We're approaching our destination, Cedar Ridge:
And here we are - Cedar Ridge. As you can see, it's a broad, flat spot with wonderful panoramic views, located about a mile and a half below the South Rim. it makes a good turn-around point for dayhikers, as well as a wonderful spot for a relaxing picnic lunch.
At Cedar Ridge, the dead trees are more impressive than the live ones:
The gorgeous views from the edge of Cedar Ridge:
(You can see a faint trail leading out past that small rock mesa in the second photo, which gets you even more spectacular views, or so I am told. I was too lazy and too chicken to hike it.)
And the prettiest sight of all (to a hiker's eye, that is): a real toilet!
That tree surrounded by a stone ring made a fine shady spot for lunch, too.
The South Kaibab hike is unusual, in that it is only 1.5 miles long going down, but about 1.5 thousand miles long going back up. Somehow ordinary laws of time and space don't apply at the Grand Canyon! Still, the excessively long return hike brought some interesting sights of its own.
A mule train - and one not carrying riders:
What are they doing?
Repairing the trail, that's what!
Each mule is fitted with a canvas pannier. When the bottom of the pannier (which is open) is looped up and connected to the top of the pannier, the result is a nice canvas sack, perfect for holding a half-bushel or so of soil. When the mule train reaches the eroded portion of the trail, the ranger just unhooks the pannier and lets the bottom drop down, and the soil pours out onto the trail. Easy!
A closeup of the mule train, from the top of the trail. That must be quite the job, riding up and down the trail all day!
And finally, here's me at the top of the trail - proof for you doubters that I did not in fact just grab these photos off the web. ;-)
If you ever visit the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend this day hike. Just take it slow and carry lots of water, as there's none to be had on the trail.
Next: One final Mary Jane Coulter building, before we live the rim for the river.
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Date: 2011-06-28 05:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-28 06:53 pm (UTC)