Weekend Photos: More from the Grand Canyon

There's been a lot going on at my house lately, but I'm chipping away at editing the photos from the October trip to the Grand Canyon. See last weekend's post for photos of the first couple of days. Today we're looking at another night or two, which (true confessions time!) is as far as I've gotten with the photos.

The account left off last weekend as we were settling for the night in our camp at Upper Tapeats Creek. 

Day 3

Back on the trail at first light, we studied the creek, which we were meant to cross--somewhere--for the better and easier trail, and decided to stick with the west side trail, which does a lot more up and down, not always on the best trails. I'm no fan of wading fast-moving water, even that shallow enough that getting knocked off my feet would mean a dunking, not a threat to life. Getting my pack wet was no part of my plan, however.

Petey Possum enjoying the sunrise from a vantage point high above the creek.

Too many bits of trail like this. I don't mind heights, but I'm not so keen on edges.

Looking down on the creek.

Soon, we were back at creek level. I think we did that at least three times.

 

 

 

Reminders all along the way that these are sedimentary rocks. This bit clearly preserves the pattern of cracks in drying mud.

 

It took us better than three hours (including rests and repeated attempts to find a way across the creek to the easier trail) to reach the Colorado River less than two miles downstream. Since neither my hiking partner nor I much likes edges or steep loose stuff we moved very slowly. In any case, we had all day for a fairly short hike, and the creek offered cool shady spots to idle away some of our time--with good water at hand.

Lower Tapeats camp far below--and a sad realization that we had to go down there.

 

The trail drops down to the Colorado through a very steep gully, although it was in good shape and though annoying was not hair-raising. We took a long break in what shade we could find at the confluence, hoping to see more close-up a trio of bighorn sheep we'd seen from above. No joy, but it was a pleasant break. 

 

The trail, or possibly "trail" continues downstream alongside the river until it reaches a rock outcrop that can't be walked around, forcing a stiff little climb up and over.

View downstream from the top of the rocks. The distant beach is our target camp.

 

"Yes, that really is the trail! Get on down here!"

We reached the beach in time for second lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon chasing the shade around a big rock. Late in the afternoon the weather began to change.

Petey considers the implications of the build-up of clouds.

By dinner time, we were getting more than a few raindrops, and the wind was picking up. Waiting to see what would develop, we tossed our ground cloths over our things, and went on eating, enjoying the dropping temperatures.

Building to a storm.

Rainbows in the rain shafts--though most of it looked like virga (rain that evaporates before it hits the ground), we did get enough that Alex decided to put up his tent, freeing an extra ground cloth for me to cower under in case of real rain. My pack-lightening efforts had led to a tent-free trip.

The storm brought a glorious sunset.

In the end, the rain didn't amount to much, though for a while the wind was annoying, blowing sand onto me. That's a reality of life in the bottom of the Canyon, and a tent doesn't really stop it. I had to fuss a little with my set-up, but got a decent sleep after all.

Day 3 stats: 3.7 miles, 405' up and 775' down. The up was pretty much the same climb over and over, as we descended the creek!

Day 4

As usual, we were up and on the trail as soon as we could see. Our plan for this day was a split hike, and my report is going to split down the middle of it. In the morning, we would walk about 2 1/4 miles downriver to Deer Creek, where we would spend the day in the shade, with all the water we could want. Only at the end of the day would we leave the creek and climb to Surprise Valley for 2 nights of dry camping. We'll get to that next week.       

By 6:25 we were up the  climb to the terrace we'd follow over to Deer Creek. Other than the steep initial climb, it was a very good stretch of trail.

We watched the sun rise as we went, more and more of the canyon walls illuminated in the morning light.

Me and my shadow, approaching the high point of the morning hike.

Looking down into the upper reaches of Deer Creek.

Since this is unmercifully long already, I'll end with one photo of Deer Creek, and pick up next week with more of the creek and the climb to our camp.

While I have your attention, don't forget to check out the stops on my virtual blog tour for the Seffi Wardwell mysteries, and show some love for the bloggers featuring my work!

December 11 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT  

December 11 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 12 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW (BOTH)

December 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 14 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 14 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW (1)

December 17 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

December 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW (BOTH)

December 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW (BOTH)

December 19 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

December 20 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated. 


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