5/3/11 A day to recover and just act like tourists. We walk the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Yucapai Point to the El Tover hotel and then drive out to the Watchtower at Desert View.
1 Looking out from Mather Point on the east end of Grand Canyon Village. We're definitely feeling the effects of our adventures the day before, but overall we're moving pretty well.
2 The view from Mather Point looking towards Yaki Point and Cedar Ridge. You can see the South Kaibab trail leaving the plateau and following the ridge.
4 After Mather Point, we head west along the Rim Trail stopping occasionally to take pictures from the rim.
5 The view from further west. You can see the Plateau Point trail heading across the Tonto Platform and then Bright Angel at the bottom of the Inner Gorge heading to the Colorado River. You can also see a glimpse of the river as well as Phantom Ranch. And you can see down Bright Angel Canyon where the North Kaibab trail leads to the North Rim.
6 Dad checking out the view from Yavapai Point.
7 A very photogenic squirrel.
8 Some tourists checking out the canyon view from the Observation Station at Yavapai Point.
9 Dad admiring his handy work at conquering the Bright Angel trail the day before. You can see the trail almost the entire way up from just above Indian Garden to the rim. In particular, you can see the switchbacks known as Jacob's Ladder. That's where I hit the wall hard at Mile 42.
10 We had someone take a picture of us at Yavapai Point.
11 Continuing west along the Rim Trail, you get a great view of the Tonto Platform and Indian Garden.
12 A look straight down Bright Angel Canyon as the late afternoon sun is getting low. We ended-up walking all the way to the El Tovar hotel where we had an excellent lunch.
13 After lunch, we head back east along the Rim Trail to Mather Point. Here's a nice view of the rock formation known as The Battleship.
14 It's now almost 5:30pm and the low sun makes for some amazing views. Each layer fades further into the light haze, starting with The Battleship in the foreground, and ending some 90 miles away.
15 One last view from the rim before leaving Grand Canyon Village.
16 After leaving the village, we make the 25 mile drive out to Desert View at the eastern entrance of the National Park to check out the Watchtower.
17 A closer look at the Watchtower. The stairs to the top closed for the night just minutes before we got there. But it was well worth the drive since arriving at sunset meant amazing canyon lighting.
18 Sunset at Desert View. Of all the awe inspiring views this trip, this may have been the best.
19 A look at the cliffs called the Palisades, the light across the plateau, and the almost man made looking mountain on top.
20 A panoramic look at the Colorado River and the Palisades of the Desert. View Full Size
21 One last picture looking west down the canyon. I tried using a tree to block some of the sun. The result was not quite what I intended, but made for an interesting picture, and a great way to end this week's amazing trip.