Blogs from Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States, North America - page 44

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Today I left Cottonwood, AZ for the Grand Canyon. I decided to take the scenic route, 89A to Flagstaff and then 89 to 64 West. Driving north out of Sedona, it is heavily forrested, but you can still see the rocks through the trees. Very scenic. I stopped off at the scenic view stopping point along 89A about 10 miles north of Sedona to get a picture. Arriving in Flagstaff I drove for a little while on the old Route 66. I'm not quite sure why people drive the entire Route 66 as at least the part I drove just had the usual strip malls, gas stations, and old hotels. Nothing really to much to see. I guess its mainly for nostalgia. I didnt stop in Flagstaff but the downtown area did look pretty cool. I ... read more
What the Volcano left behind
Humphreys Peak...the tallest Peak in Arizona
Sunset Crater Volcano


We had a reasonably early start to the day today, we were to drive through the Arizona desert until we reached a place called Laughlin- our campground for the night en route to the Grand Cannyon. We stopped along the way to look at some cactus. I had no idea that cactus were as big as they are, they're absolutely massive as you should be able to see from the pic! We then pulled up by some sand dunes to have another picnic in the 100+ degree heat, and I was wearing jeans! That night we set up camp by the river and seeing as it was my night to cook I decided to do a BBQ for everyone! In retrospect that was a mistake, it took forever and I stank by the end of it. ... read more
Our Van along the open road!
Helicopter!
The Grand Cannyon from the air


On 27th we left vegas with Gary and Nic in their huge rental SUV heading for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. The drive was fairly straightforward but held many suprises we did not expect. I was riding shotgun and giving directions from our pretty basic map. However looking closer at the map I realised that the road to flagstaff through Arizona took us directly past the Hoover Dam. I didn't realise that route 93 actualy also took us over the damn as it was passable to cars. On approaching the damn we decided to pull over ending up in a restricted area. As soon as we got out of the car a loud yank shouted at the top of his lung "your in a restricted area!" so we hightailed it and managed to find another spot ... read more
Route 66
First view of the Canyon
Our travel buddies and us at the canyon


From the bright lights of Vegas and on in to the desert, to see one of the wonders of the world. We arrived at the campsite after driving allday. And it was freezing cold, hard to get used to after being in the sun for so long. We cooked dinner and tried to keep warm that night in the tents. The next morning I was up at 9am, and caught a free shuttle to the Canyon. I got to Yavapai point, and walked along the edge of the Blue Angel trail, and it was spectacular, like a scene of a postcard. We hung around for Sunset, and this was also spectacular, the orange sun making the rocks look like they are burning. An incredible place. That night it was back to the campsite, to try and ... read more
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon


We arrived at the Grand Canyon at about 3pm and eager for a backcountry pass so that we could head down into the canyon and camp at the bottom, we headed straight to the backcountry office without even seeing the canyon itself. When we got to the office we were informed that the last backcountry pass had gone only moments ago. Extremely disappointed we started to discuss with the ranger what other options were available. He said that he could put us on the waiting list for Saturday- two days away when we planned to be in Vegas, so this was no good. We discussed other trails and campsites but none got us to the bottom. Then against all warnings we decided that we could hike down and up the canyon in a single day, the ... read more
Outside Grand Canyon
Camp fire drinks
Starting the descent


Does it snow at the Grand Canyon? After Vegas we drove through the Nevada desert out in to Arizona, towards the Grand Canyon. Again we stopped in some tiny Redneck style towns along the way called Kingston and Williams. The food is cheaper here and you get the BIG portions that you keep hearing are so famous in America. The people are friendly, but i wouldn't join their baby sitting circle!! After many an hour behind the wheel we arrived at the Canyon! IT WAS SNOWING!!!! The views, as you can imagine, were fantastic!! The snow provided great pictures, and gave the Canyon a unique quality (it doesn't snow much in the Arizona desert, you see).. As we had a car we were able to drive all around the Canyon, which was cool as day trip ... read more
'Squirt at the Canyon'
The snow men
Miles and Miles


Heading southwest from Monument Valley the landscape is much less dramatic until you make the turn westward on route 64 at Cameron, AZ. About 30 miles later we entered the Park. It's still another 25 or 30 miles to the Grand Canyon Village, but we soon got our first glimpse of the Canyon, and is it Grand. We must have stopped at 6 overlooks along the way, and it kept getting more impressive each time. We arrived at the campground in the village and saw a sign reading "Full", but the attendant told us that she had one no-show. We grabbed the site and breathed a sigh of relief. This place must be a madhouse during the summer. I think we picked the right time of year to come here. We spent two days walking along ... read more
Rim Shot 2
Rim Shot 3
Rim Shot 4


Our first stop as we re-entered the US was Yellowstone National Park. I didn't realise how many national parks are in the mid-west of America, but as soon as Kate pointed them out I was ready to go. We didn't make it to Yellowstone in one day so instead we stayed in a motel in Helena, Montana. This was the first of the many 'nothing' towns we would stop in on our journey through the mid-west. The motel had cable tv though, so Kate and I spent the night eating take out pizza, wathing the box and jumping from bed to bed like little kids. The next morning on the way to Yellowstone was a pain in the ass! The snow was coming down and everytime we went past a truck mud and all sorts of ... read more
Elk Crossing
Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs


Hiking is a great time for reflection. The following reflection came while hiking the Grandview Trail in the Grand Canyon National Park on February 19th. This kind of reflective moment is what this trip is all about. As I start my trip to Ireland I offer this reflection as a thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me on this journey. It would be impossible without the moral support, logistical support and free room and board of friends and family. ---------------------------------------------- The steep parts of the Grandview Trail in the Grand Canyon South Rim are 'paved' with stones placed next to each other with their thin edge forming the surface of the trail. It is as if the trail is laid with cobble stones, only at a 45 degree angle - up. The name ... read more
Stormy Weather


Two Thirds of the campground at the Grand Canyon was closed for the winter as I drove in. Selecting a site was not hard since I was one of about four small groups of campers. As I set up the six-person pop-up trailer my old acquaintance loneliness dropped by for tea. Only problem was I had forgotten the tea. Things seemed bleak as my psyche dropped with the temperature. This is definitely an experience better shared with someone else I thought, preferably someone warm and soft and smalls nice. I promptly took a nap. I arrived at the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, at 1:30 pm. I did not reach the rim of the Canyon to view upon it until about 4:30 pm. I am skeptical of places where bus loads ... read more
Cliffs and Trees
Let it Snow
Grandview Trail




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