SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2010:

I would drive a total of 160 miles today.

All of the images below are thumbnails and can be clicked on for a larger image.

I began my Sunday with a ½-mile hike (one way) through the desert to Horseshoe Bend.
Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located a few miles south of Page.
The steep cliff rises over 1000 feet above the Colorado River providing a breathtaking view.

Watch me hike through the sand out to Horseshoe Bend from the comfort of your chair in the seven minute video below.

Next it was a 120 mile drive to the east entrance of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
My first stop was at the Desert View Watchtower. The view from the base of the watchtower is spectacular.
The Colorado River races below and the Painted Desert disappears into the western horizon.


Just a few minutes west of the Desert View Watchtower is Navajo Point offering more panoramic vistas.
The next viewpoint along Desert View Drive was Lipan Point at an elevation of 7360 feet.


From Lipan Point you can see Hance Rapid, one of the many whitewater rapids along the Colorado River.
Moran is one of the most visited points along east rim drive, and offers far reaching views of the Grand Canyon.
The point is due south of Cape Royal on the North Rim - just 8 miles away in a straight line but 215 road miles.


Directly below Moran Point is Red Canyon, a very colorful tributary and especially so at the lower end
where deep red/orange layered rocks are exposed, formed of Hakatai shale.
The southernmost point on Grand Canyon's south rim is Grandview.
This popular viewpoint offers panoramic views of Grand Canyon from east to west,
including several bends of the Colorado River to the east.


Up until now I had been driving from point to point.
From Mather Point I started walking west along the Rim Trail.


There were many scenic vistas along the trail.
It was fun climbing out to the edge of the cliffs at various points along the way.


I walked just past Yavapai Point before turning around and heading back to the car.


I took a short break to check into my hotel just south of the south entrance to the park.
I stayed at the Grand Hotel in the village of Tusayan.
Don't stay here if it is a hot day. Air conditioners totally inadequate.

I spent the night at the Grand Hotel in the village of Tusayan which is one mile south of the park. I do not recommend this hotel. It is over priced for average at best accommodations. If you stay here on a hot day like I did, you will find that the air conditioning is completely inadequate.

I went back to the park as the sun was beginning to set.
I saw a huge California Condor perched above Bright Angel Trail.


I watched the sun set from Yavapai Point before calling it a day.

The 26 minute video below is the complete South Rim video.

MY DAILY EMAIL SENT ON JUNE 6, 2010

Howdy Friends & Family! I started my day with a nice two mile hike through the desert. The hike wouldn't have been bad if weren't for the thick sand I had to trek through. There was a reason for my hike other than just getting close to nature. It was the only way to get to Horseshoe Bend. It was early in the morning so the sun wasn't high enough so the very bottom of the picture was still in shadows. That's my shadow on the left. I rafted around this bend yesterday morning and our guide showed us a picture of the bend from the top of the cliff. I knew I had to see it for myself. From there it was a 160 mile drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I got to the canyon at about 10:30 and spent the rest of the day visiting almost every viewpoint. The first viewpoint was Desert View where I climbed the Watch Tower for views of the canyon. The picture below is the view from the Watch Tower. It was about ten degrees cooler down here than it was in Page. It was still hot but not oppressively so like it was in Page. Below is Navajo Point, you can see the Colorado River running through the canyon. Below is me at Moran Point. The picture below is from Moran point as well. There was also a grand view at Grand View. I spent a couple of hours walking along the Rim Trail. It goes on for miles and miles. I walked between Mather Point and Yavapai Point. A lot more people here than at the North Rim. I managed to stay alive as I climbed out on to rock after rock with nothing but a 1000 foot drop all around me. It amazed me how many parents let their little kids do this. I took a couple hour break around 5:00 and checked into my hotel which is just a mile south of the south entrance to the park. Then I went back as the sun began to set. Below is Lookout Studio on the Bright Angel Trail The picture below is from Bright Angel Trail and that large black spot on the top left of the rock is a huge California Condor. In case you don't believe me here is a zoom shot of the condor. I waited around a while hoping to film him in flight but he/she never left. Then I watched the sun set over the canyon and had to leave because I couldn't see anything anymore. That concludes my activities for today. I'm sure I bored you all with way too many pictures. Just be thankful I didn't send all 300 that I took today. Supposed to be another nice day tomorrow. I will let you know if I ever see a cloud. Tim

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