Grand Canyon: Wednesday

Early Wednesday morning we took the shuttle 8 miles out on Hermit's Road to Hermit's Rest for a hike down Hermit's Trail.  We got to the trail around 7:00 for the sunrise, but also to get a hike in before the predicted rain started.

Near the shuttle stop was a group of four Elk.  They made little high pitched bird sounds as I approached - surprising for such a beefy looking animal.

Gail took this shot of an old, dead, juniper reaching for the moon.  She took many of these photos as we had both cameras clicking.

 The entrance for Hermit's Rest.  The building is down the road a little, and was built in 1914 as a rest stop for tourists who would then go down the trail to Hermit's Camp.  The building was one of several designed by the very remarkable architect Mary Colter.  The design, like some of her others, was made to look like it was rising from the very rocks below. 

 Gail inspects a beehive oven.

Hermit's Trail is listed as "very difficult" and goes all the way down to the Colorado River.  It is seldom maintained, and much less used than the other two major trails in the park.  There was another sign stating that in 2004, a 24 year old woman marathoner and medical student, who completed the Boston Marathon in just over three hours, died on the trail. She thought she was going for a 15 mile day hike, but her route was 27 miles. The extreme heat, only taking one and a half liters of water, and separating from her hiking partner led to her death.

This was our view heading down the trail.

Lichens and colorful rock.

 Flowers were blooming in November.  These flower pics are with you in mind, Cousin Sue!

 

 

 

 

 

The trail was indeed steep, with most steps requiring 90 degree knee bends.  You had to watch every step, but the solitude was worth it.

Gail, thinking, "We're going on that!" points to the trail on the other side of this ravine. 

I had to move this rock off the trail so we could pass.

Here we are following the trail under rock ledges, down to Maria Springs. There is a rest shelter and spring - that little dark spot in the lower left third of the photo.

The shelter up ahead.  Inside was a register, and benches to sit on. 

A bat was drowning in the water trough, and some hikers we just met pulled it out.

As soon as we reached the springs, it started to rain.  We headed back up the trail.

At the top, we warmed up in Hermit's Rest with its huge fireplace.

The elk here have no fear of humans - not a good thing.

By noon, the canyon was totally obscured by rain and fog.  There were some disappointed tourists who just arrived.  That building is the historic Kolb Studio.

That is a Kolb baby taking off for a trip into the canyon.

A disgruntled tourist trying to see the Grand Canyon.

The Hopi House, opened in 1905, is another Mary Colter structure.  It has been selling Hopi crafts since that time. 
Well, one more day to go!  Tonight we are going to the El Tovar Restaurant.