Click on any picture to see a larger image.  Monthly Archives listed below.

October 1


1995 - Mt. Huethawali as backdrop to my campsite.

2006 - Key swap on the North Kaibab Trail.

2016 - John, Bev, Geoff and TS at Cave of the Domes below Horseshoe Mesa.

   In 1995, I did backpacking trip down the South Bass as far as the Esplanade with a few objectives in mind.  I camped for two nights on the Esplanade.  This was my last day and I got this shot of my campsite with Mt. Huethawali in the background.  Nice spot, although my first night I made a water run to the Chemehuevi spring and got enough to last me for my two days here.  I wrote up a fuller account on this trip here.
   In 2006, Erik Drake and I did a rim-to-rim hike, down the So. Kaibab and up the North Kaibab, with a night at Cottonwood Campground.  We were facilitating a key exchange for a group that was going to day hike north to south on October 1st.  This is our second day when we did the key swap as we were just about to turn the corner into Roaring Springs Canyon.  Left to right - Erik, me, John Haney, John's friend, and T.S. Amer.
   In 2016, with other faculty members from school, I did a day hike down Grandview with a visit to the Cave of the Domes.  [We had intended to go to the So. Bass area, but muddy roads seemed a certainty and would have been a stopper.]  Along for the hike were John Eastwood, Bev Amer, Geoff Dick, TS Amer (all pictured) and Kathy Eastwood (not pictures - she opted out of the trek to the cave).  Here we are just a couple of minutes after leaving the cave and heading back up.  In the cave are old signatures written on the walls of one of the domes, including this one from the Kolb's.
   In 1999, I camped near the Big Saddle Trail, just north of Crazy Jug Pt. for a couple of nights.  I got to my camping spot very late at night on this date.  From my camp I could see the glow of a wildfire burning over at Swamp Pt.  [No photos for this day.]

October 2


1999 - Smoke fills Saddle Canyon.

2015 - Camp site at Hance Creek.

   In 1999, I camped near the Big Saddle Trail, just north of Crazy Jug Pt. for a couple of nights.  I got to my camping spot very late at night on the 1st and was greeted with a hazy canyon the next morning due to fires over at the Swamp Pt. area.  The night before I could actually see the glow of the fires.
  In 2015, I did a backpacking trip down the Grandview to Hance Creek, where I spent a couple of days and then around to Cottonwood before heading back out.  On this first day I got to Hance Creek by noon and got this camp site.

October 3


1994 - Upper stretches of Nankoweap Trail.

1998 - John at "Old Miner's Trail" cairn.

2015 - Wall of Hance Camp along Hance Creek.

   In 1994, I started a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my first day and the trees were changing on the rim, presenting a brilliant backdrop to my descent on the trail (from the rim trailhead).
   In 1998, I did a day hike down to Phantom Ranch with colleagues from the business college at NAU - John Eastwood, Ken Lorek and Allen Atkins.  John and I opted to come back up to the Tonto via the Old Miner's Trail and here he is at the cairn that marks the descent.
  In 2015, I did a backpacking trip down the Grandview to Hance Creek, where I spent a couple of days and then around to Cottonwood before heading back out.  On this second day I was able to find the spring that Hance used for his camp down here (it is in the shaded canyon in the middle of the picture).  Up on the terrace beside the creekbed I found some low walls that must have marked out his operation here, as shown in the photo.
   In 1999, I camped near the Big Saddle Trail, just north of Crazy Jug Pt. for a couple of nights.  This was my last day and I pretty much just packed up and headed home.  [No photos for this day.]

October 4


1994 - Mystic Falls in Nankoweap Canyon.

2014 - With Ty Ewing at "East Plateau Pt."

2015 - Angel's Gate and rain from Cottonwood Canyon.

   In 1994, I did a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my second day and I did a day hike up to Mystic Falls, with a visit to the ruins here near the falls as well as the ones on the other side of this side canyon.
  In 2014, I took one of my former students, Ty Ewing, on a day hike down the So. Kaibab to what I call East Plateau Point, with great views of the river, the Phantom area and the Bright Angel Trail.  I ran into Ty while he was working at REI and we arranged to do a hike together.  He had only been down into the canyon once, yet was graduating this fall!  We would do another trip together, in January of 2015, to Phantom Ranch where we stayed over in the dorms.
  In 2015, I did a backpacking trip down the Grandview to Hance Creek, where I spent a couple of days and then around to Cottonwood before heading back out.  On this third day I packed up and moved my camp to Cottonwood Creek.  It was a pleasant morning with lots of blue sky.  But, in the mid afternoon, it rained and at times it was heavy.  That persisted well into the night and the early morning hours.

October 5


1994 - At Kolb Natural Bridge.

2015 - Angels Gate in early morning.

   In 1994, I did a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my third day and I did a day hike up to Kolb Natural Bridge.  Discovered in modern times by Barry Goldwater, I wrote up a fuller account of this day's hike and included Goldwater's story (and some photos) here.
  In 2015, I did a backpacking trip down the Grandview to Hance Creek, where I spent a couple of days and then around to Cottonwood before heading back out.  This was my final day.  The rain let up enough to pack under dry conditions and while it threatened the rest of the morning I was able to reach the rim in good weather.  Here's a picture of Angels Gate from the area of my campsite along Cottonwood Creek.

October 6


1994 - Swilling-Duppa-Hutton Buttes.

2006 - At Plateau Point w/Bill Ferris.

   In 1994, I did a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my fourth day.  I packed up from my Nankoweap camp and hiked up into a bowl surrounded by Swilling, Duppa and Hutton Buttes before descending into Kwagunt Canyon.  I exited up the arm west of Banta Point.  I got hung up in the lower Redwall and had to make camp on a little ledge where I could barely lay out my sleeping bag.  It wasn't dangerous, as this area was heavily forested, which made the hiking very difficult.
  In 2006, I did my first hike with Bill Ferris!  We did the BA Trail to Plateau Point and back.  We started off with clouds at, and below, the rim, but the day brightened up for us.  You can see that the river was quite muddy, indicating that we had been having some rain recently.

October 7


1994 - Exiting via Atoko Pt. route.

2004 - Atop Cardenas Butte.

   In 1994, I did a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my fifth day, and probably the hardest hiking day I've ever had in the canyon.  I started from somewhere in the Redwall and by 1:30 I had finally reached the top of the Supai, which is where I took this photo - I am near the saddle between the rim (to the right) and an unnamed butte (to the left) west of Siegfried Pyre.  Then began the grueling contour of Atoko Pt.  I barely got up through the Coconino before night befell me.
  In 2004, I did a nice day hike down the Tanner to climb up to the top of Cardenas Butte.  Great day with great views.  The timed selfie could have been redone so it doesn't look like I'm making secret hand signals :-) .

October 8


1981 - Pollux Temple.

1994 - My "camp" in the Kaibab.

   In 1981, I did a day hike to the top of Pollux Temple, via the Jicarilla Point route.  I got through the Coconino on the other side of the cliffs shown and easily got to the saddle and then the top of Pollux.
   In 1994, I did a six day trek into Nankoweap, to eventually return to the rim via the Atoko Point route.  This was my last day, and an unintended one.  I was unable to top out the previous night and found a spot barely suitable to sleep on overnight.  In fact both my head and my feet were slightly pointed down!  One problem I had was that I was pretty much out of water and I had to walk back to my truck at the high Nankoweap Trailhead on the rim.  I fill up with the most awful water I've ever had to use from Greenland Lake, which was just a bog that the deer like to use.  Well, it was enough to keep my mouth wet until I reached my truck.

October 9


1999 - On the Big Saddle Trail.

2009 - Sunset on Brahma and Zoroaster Temples.

   In 1999, I did a quick day trip up to the Crazy Jug area to spend some time continuing my efforts to clear what I call the Big Saddle Trail.  This section went through a patch of manzanita, which was relatively easy to deal with.
   In 2009, Cara Lynn and I started a three day trip where we spent two nights at the Bright Angel campground.  On our way down, the sunset lit up Brahma and Zoroaster Temples.

October 10


2009 - Buddha Temple from Utah Flats.

2014 - Getting started down the Grandview.

   In 2009, Cara Lynn and I started a three day trip where we spent two nights at the Bright Angel campground.  On this second day I did a solo hike up to the Cheops/Isis saddle to leave a small cache of food and water for a trip I had planned for November.  The Utah Flats area has a sort of Esplanade feel to it.  Here Is a view to the north with Buddha Temple dominating the background.
   In 2014,  I began a four day hike to spend time in Grapevine Canyon.  Here I am getting started down the Grandview Trail.  My first night would be spent at Cottonwood Creek.

October 11


2009 - Cara Lynn at Garden Creek ruins.

2014 - Moon over the Redwall.

   In 2009, Cara Lynn and I did a three day trip where we spent two nights at the Bright Angel campground.  This was our last day and we hiked out via the Bright Angel Trail.  On the way, we made a stop at some of the ruins in Garden Creek that used to be more often visited a hundred years ago but, today, are unknown to practically all of the hikers that pass by on the trail.
   In 2014,  I did a four day hike to spend time in Grapevine Canyon.  On my second day I hiked from my camp at Cottonwood Creek to Grapevine.  In the morning I had this great view of the nearly full moon floating over the Redwall as I started off.

October 12


2002 - With TS & Bev at 75 Mile Saddle.

2014 - In upper Grapevine Canyon.

   In 2002, I did a day hike with colleagues TS and Bev Amer down the Tanner Trail to the Redwall Overlook.  Here we are at the saddle with 75 Mile Canyon.
   In 2014,  I did a four day hike to spend time in Grapevine Canyon.  On my third day I had started off trying to go downstream, but the break through the Tapeats to the east spooked me.  So, instead I hiked way up the canyon and very much enjoyed the many idyllic pools and waterfalls.  This bighorn didn't fare as well.

October 13


2001 - With the MBAs at Plateau Point.

2004 - Pipe Creek.

2014 - Taking notes between Grapevine and Cottonwood.

   In 2001, I did a day hike with some of my MBA students down to Plateau Pt. and back.  As one might expect, the girls beat the boys back up to the rim!
   In 2004, I did a day hike loop from South Kaibab to the Tonto to the Bright Angel.  Here is a shot looking up Pipe Creek, which is my usual halfway stop, as there is both water and shade.
   In 2014,  I did a four day hike to spend time in Grapevine Canyon.  This was my last day and I hiked back up to the Grandview Trailhead from my camp in Grapevine.  I was assisted by a waning gibbous (?) moon that helped me pack up well before sunrise.  Here I am writing down some notes as I rounded the bend out of Grapevine and started to parallel the river before starting my trek into Cottonwood Canyon.

October 14


1983 - Fall colors on the Nankoweap Trail.

2000 - At the Grandview mines.

   In 1983, I did my first real hike down into Nankoweap Canyon on a trip lasting five days.  I went with Karen Herrera following the end of the work season on the North Rim.  While I brought along my Pentax K1000, cost considerations kept the number of pictures I took to just fifteen!  Gorgeous fall colors greeted us for this hike, which began from the upper trailhead.
   In 2000, I did a day hike with colleagues from the business college at NAU down the Grandview to visit the mines and cave.  We lost one member of the group who would not hike down through the switchbacks in the Kaibab, so it was just the four of us - me, TS Amer, Ken Lorek and John Haney - for the rest of the trek.

October 15


1983 - Karen at the cliff granaries above Nankoweap Rapids.

   In 1983, I did my first real hike down into Nankoweap Canyon on a trip lasting five days.  I went with Karen Herrera following the end of the work season on the North Rim.  On our first night we camped at a spot in the lower Redwall (or, the Muav, I guess) I call "Camp-on-a-ledge."  This was our second day and we soon got to the river and set up camp there.  Then we climbed up to visit the cliff granaries - here she is perched alongside them.

October 16


1983 - The gate at Nankoweap.

2009 - Water pockets in Lonetree Canyon.

1997 - Early dawn over Wotans & Vishnu.

   In 1983, I did my first real hike down into Nankoweap Canyon on a trip lasting five days.  I went with Karen Herrera following the end of the work season on the North Rim.  On our third day we broke camp at Nankoweap Rapids and began a grueling three day ascent to the rim.  Here is a formation along the creek I call the "Nankoweap Gate."  Our camp this night would be up above the Tapeats.
   In 1997, I wanted to do a speed hike from Phantom Ranch to Nankoweap, aiming for four days.  This was the first day and I got a nice early start, with dawn breaking over Wotans Throne and Vishnu Temple.  This first night would see me camped on the Tonto below Howlands Butte, east of Clear Creek.
   In 2009,  I did a three day hike to spend time in Lonetree Canyon, especially to check out some ruins here that Harvey mentions.  Cara Lynn and I had passed through here earlier in the month and didn't have time to do this.  I took the shortcut across Cremation from the South Kaibab Trail at the bottom of the Redwall and arrived in Lonetree by 1 pm.  I had seen a young bighorn drinking from some water pockets at the Tonto crossing and so that's where I got water for my first overnight.  Although I did filter this water, it looked and tasted awful.  The next day I was glad to get to the spring further down this canyon.  I wrote up a fuller account here.

October 17


1981 - Montezuma Pt. with red lens.

1983 - Marion Pt. at dusk.

1997 - Holed up in Vishnu.

1999 - Day hiking the Battleship.

2009 - Ruins in Lonetree Canyon.

2014 - The Marion-Seiber route.

   In 1981, I did a hike down the South Bass and across the Esplanade to see/visit the many area attractions.  This was my first day down the trail and I camped in front of Montezuma Pt. and snapped this photo using a red lens I had for my camera.
   In 1983, I did my first real hike down into Nankoweap Canyon on a trip lasting five days.  I went with Karen Herrera following the end of the work season on the North Rim.  On our fourth day we broke camp from above the Tapeats and barely made it to the saddle before packing it in for the night.  I got this shot as we passed by Marion Pt. in the increasing darkness.  I don't have notes for this hike, so while I have the distinct impression that we were really running low on water, I can't be sure what the exact circumstances were.
   In 1997, I wanted to do a speed hike from Phantom Ranch to Nankoweap, aiming for four days.  This was my second day and all my plans came unraveled.  I ran out of water while traversing the dry (and hot) Tonto Plateau and barely made it to this pool in a little side canyon of Vishnu.  I had been counting on getting to Lava this day, so had to reassess the whole venture.  The next day I turned around and headed back the way I came.
   In 1999, I did a day hike out to the terrace in front of the Battleship with colleagues from NAU.  In the photo, you can see Allen Atkins, Ken Lorek, John Haney and TS Amer, as we were headed back.  Although I did a day hike the previous year with Ken and Allen (and John Eastwood) to Phantom Ranch, this hike, more or less, kicked off an annual fall hike with my colleagues.
   In 2009, I did a three day hike to spend time in Lonetree Canyon, especially to check out some ruins here that Harvey mentions.  This was my day hiking day.  I walked down the bed to the good spring and then up to the ruins at the base of the Tapeats.  Very extensive, as this photo attests.  I wrote up a fuller account here.
   In 2014, I did a three day hike into Nankoweap in search of the Marion-Seiber route that Doug Nering rediscovered.  I took the regular trail down and kept a close watch on what the canyon looked like below.  It was only after I came up that I was able to piece together what I was looking at.  This annotated picture shows that the route comes up behind an exposed jagged ridge of Redwall and then behind this low forest before coming out somewhere on the right hand side - maybe it is where I drew the yellow line and maybe it is where I drew the rose colored one.

October 18


1981 - The Royal Arch.

1997 - Angels Gate.

2008 - FCB hike to Plateau Pt.

2009 - Cremation Use Area cairns.

2014 - Inscription at Seiber junction.

   In 1981, I did a hike down the South Bass and across the Esplanade to see/visit the many area attractions.  This was my first day hiking day and I went down the bed, first following the sheep trail out above the arch and then backtracking to visit Royal Arch up close and personal.  It's hard to get a good photo of the whole thing and even the one posted here has been stitched together from two pictures.
   In 1997, I wanted to do a speed hike from Phantom Ranch to Nankoweap, aiming for four days.  This was my third day and the first on my return journey.  It wasn't hard hiking once I was well-hydrated, but I couldn't continue to Nankoweap because John Eastwood was supposed to meet me there but would have had the time to stick around if I was a couple of days late.
   In 2008, I did a day hike out to Plateau Pt. with some of my NAU colleagues and their families.  Here we are near the trailhead.  [I must admit that I Photoshopped out the mule biscuits!]  Included in the photo (left ot right) are me, Jennie, George (in front; visiting faculty from Singapore as I recall), Pin (in back) then over to Talai, and in front of him are Julie and Cara Lynn.
   In 2009, I did a three day hike to spend time in Lonetree Canyon, especially to check out some ruins here that Harvey mentions.  This was my last day, spent hiking back out the South Kaibab.  I followed the trail all the way so I could compare times with my shortcut through Cremation the first day - surprisingly, not much difference.  Here are the two big cairns that mark the boundary of the Cremation Use Area.  I wrote up a fuller account here.
   In 2014, I did a three day hike into Nankoweap in search of the Marion-Seiber route that Doug Nering rediscovered.  I had camped at the creek and this day moved my camp up to the junction below Seiber Pt.  I got there quickly and actually gave some thought to hiking up to Mystic Falls, which I could kind of see from this spot.  But, the thick brush discouraged me.  I did look for, and find, an inscription that Bil Vandergraff told me about.  I can't say that I buy into the idea that this is really from 1882.  The initials JHA don't ring a bell to me, even though I am a close student of the Walcott expedition that was here in the early months of 1882.  [So, if it is legit, perhaps from someone coming later in the year while the trail was still passable.]
   In 1983, I did my first real hike down into Nankoweap Canyon on a trip lasting five days.  I went with Karen Herrera following the end of the work season on the North Rim.  On our fifth day we broke camp from the saddle and hiked up to the rim and then along the fire road to Pt. Imperial.  I left Karen here while I tried to hoof it back to the lodge to pick up her car.  Lucky for me there was someone driving down the road and they gave me a lift.  [No photos.]

October 19


1981 - Looking down on Royal Arch.

1997 - Panorama of the Bright Angel
Campground area.

2014 - Cairn marks top of Muav ledges.

   In 1981, I did a hike down the South Bass and across the Esplanade to see/visit the many area attractions.  This was my second day-hiking day from my camp on the Esplanade.  I decided to go out to the edge of the plateau and look down onto Royal Arch - the trickle of water is going through it.  Also note the "sheep trail" that one follows to get past the arch, where I had been the day before.
   In 1997, I wanted to do a speed hike from Phantom Ranch to Nankoweap, aiming for four days.  Alas, it was not to be.  While this was my fourth, and final, day, it marked my return to the South Rim.  On my way up the South Kaibab I had this nice view of the Bright Angel Campground.
   In 2014, I did a three day hike into Nankoweap in search of the Marion-Seiber route that Doug Nering rediscovered.  I had camped at the creek junction below Seiber Pt. the previous night and felt well-rested for this hike/climb.  I had poured over the notes I brought and everything pretty much unfolded according to them!  An early obstacle is referred to as the "Muav Steps" which you have to side step up past some giant boulders.  A cairn at the top validated my choice here and others were generally very helpful all the way out.  I reached the saddle by noon, well ahead of what I was expecting.

October 20


1981 - The view from atop Mt. Huethawali.

2013 - Sunset from the South Kaibab Trail.

   In 1981, I did a hike down the South Bass and across the Esplanade to see/visit the many area attractions.  This was my third day-hiking day from my camp on the Esplanade and I decided to go and climb Mt. Huethawali.  Here's the one picture I took from the top!  [It was the last exposure on my one roll of film I brought for this hike.]
   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  We left the rim late in the day and hiked through the sunset, to camp at the Tonto level later in the evening.  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.

October 21


2001 - On the Old Hance route.

2013 - Camping on the Cheops-Isis saddle.

   In 2001, I took some colleagues (TS Amer & Craig Bain) and MBA students (Lena & Omar, pictured) down the Old Hance route.  Bad judgment on my part as this hike was way too challenging for the group.  I still have a vivid memory of Craig stranded on a narrow ledge holding onto a sapling while Omar lowered his belt down to help Craig climb back up to safety.
   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  On our second night we camped on the Cheops-Isis saddle (you can see my tent up in the photo).  Getting all the way to Trinity seemed iffy and we didn't want to pass up the sure water of Phantom Creek, so Bill hoofed it down to the bed from here and hauled up water.  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.

October 22


2013 - A trickle in Trinity.

   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  We reached the bed of Trinity and camped at the junction with the side canyon we came in down.  Here we found a slight trickle of water and I got this photo looking up Trinity towards Horus Temple.  Years ago Harvey Butchart wrote that the water here had "a slightly salty taste and had a laxative effect."  It turns out he was right on both counts, the latter of which would plague me for the next couple of days!  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.

October 23


2005 - At Dripping Spring.

2011 - On the New Hance Trail.

2013 - Morning clouds in Trinity.

   In 2005, I did a hike with my colleagues and family from NAU down the Hermit Trail to Dripping Spring. [TS, Russell, John & Kathy, Lena, John H., Erik, Cara Lynn and me.]  Here's a great shot looking across the falling water to the rim.  On our way back we made a stop to visit Sweetheart Spring.  I wrote up a full account here.
   In 2011, yet another faculty hike.  This time down the New Hance to the top of the Redwall and back.  Along for this hike, as shown in the picture, are Paul Wagner, John Eastwood and Tom Downen, in the back, TS & Bev Amer in the middle and me in front for this selfie.  I wrote up a mini-report here.
   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  On our third morning we started a day hike to find some of the old remains from a survey crew that had been here in 1919.  Some glorious clouds caught my attention as we began our trek.  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.

October 24


2013 - Back on the Cheops-Isis saddle.

2014 - Smoky Shinumo Amphitheater.

   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  We had camped in the bed of Trinity for a couple of nights.  We had another night available, but the water was really wreaking havoc with my system so this day we hiked up to the saddle (shown in the photo) and down to Phantom Creek.  Ah, much better water!  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.
   In 2014, I made my way to Lancelot Pt. and down to the Elaine saddle for a couple of nights so I could try a day hike to Abyss Cave.  This was my first day and on reaching the rim I was met with a canyon full of smoke from prescribed burns on the north rim.  [See this link.]  The formation in the center of the picture is the Holy Grail Temple.

October 25


2013 - Almost Halloween at Phantom.

2014 - Looking up to Elaine Castle.

   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  This day was an easy one as all we had to do was hike from Phantom Creek to Phantom Ranch.  The canteen was all decked out and ready for Halloween!  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.
   In 2014, I made my way to Lancelot Pt. and down to the Elaine saddle to camp for a couple of nights.  This day I hoped to be able to day hike down to Modred and the Abyss Cave, but I just didn't have enough time.  Or, I might say that there were lessons for me to learn about this route that just ate up too much time for me to seal the deal on the cave.  I did make it to the creek, though.  Here is a great shot in the descent canyon, near to the bottom where a spring appears and provides a nice contrast with Elaine Castle in the background.

October 26


1996 - Panorama at Tuckup Canyon.

2003 - On the way to East PP.

2013 - Bill & Bil at the BA Camp.

2014 - Kaibab squirrel at Lancelot Pt.

   In 1996, Mathieu Brown and I camped above Tuckup so we could find Shaman's Gallery, a fantastic pictographic panel.  I had been able to pull together clues on its whereabouts, but we came up empty on this trip (we looked too far downstream).  Two months later I would return and find them.  While out on the Esplanade, I took this series of shots as a panorama of Tuckup.  I took one set of photos and literally did tape them together, and framed them.  This pano was done in Photoshop, but it's not quite 360 degrees as PS dropped off a few pictures.
   In 2003, I did a day hike to what I call "East Plateau Pt." with colleagues John Haney, Ken Lorek and TS Amer.  We hiked down the South Kaibab, west a bit on the Tonto and then across the plateau to the point overlooking the river.  Along the way we found these old troughs.  On the side was the faded printing that read, "Poison Grain."  I surmise it was a park service attempt to get rid of the wild burros back in the day.
   In 2013, Bill Ferris and I did a backpacking trip to Trinity Canyon.  This was our final day, with a hike up from the BA Campground to the rim via the South Kaibab.  We were glad to have had the chance to chat with Ranger Bil Vandergraff the night before and were pleasantly surprised by an early morning visit from Bil before we left - he graciously offered to take some of our trash!  I wrote up a full account of this hike here.
   In 2014, I made my way to Lancelot Pt. and down to the Elaine saddle to camp for a couple of nights.  This was my last day and I hiked back up from my camp on the saddle to the rim and back to the road.  I had a bit of trouble finding the path right away, but made it up to the Coconino break in good time.  Up in the Toroweap and Kaibab I wasn't sure if I was on the same route as coming down but I topped out where I came down.  There I took a long break and was treated to the chirping of this Kaibab squirrel.  Amazingly, I was able to cross the north rim back to the road with only a minimum of trouble - thickets of aspen and/or locust - reaching the road within eyeshot of my truck.

October 27


2012 - At Sweetheart Spring.

   In 2012, with colleagues John Eastwood, Tim Clark and TS Amer from the business college at NAU on our annual hike.  This year we drove up to a gate in the forest that allowed us to hike down the Waldron Trail, over to Dripping Spring and up the Silver Bell (aka Boucher) Trail to the rim and back along the roads to our vehicle.  Along the way we made a stop to visit Sweetheart Spring.  Here, John and TS look at an old inscription on the wall - "Harry Kislingbury '89."

October 28


2001 - After breakfast hike down the BA.

2007 - Out on Plateau Point.

   In 2001, Cara Lynn and I did a quick drive up to the South Rim to have breakfast at the El Tovar followed by a short hike down the Bright Angel Trail to 2 Mile Corner.  A nice way to work off breakfast!
   In 2007, our annual faculty hike took us to Plateau Point and back.  On the trip this year were Bev Amer, Brian Gregory, TS Amer, Allen Atkins, me and Cara Lynn.  The canyon was especially smoky with some burns the park service was doing on the North Rim.  See here.  And, here's a photo I took at the start of the trip (click for a larger image) ...

October 29

October 30


2009 - Above Tanner Rapids.

   In 2009 I hiked down the Tanner Trail on a four day hike with the intent to finally be able to hike up to the Little Colorado River.  I started down at 7:30 am and five hours later I was at this spot above the river enjoying the view and eating my lunch before pushing on to camp at Palisades.  I wrote up a full account here.

October 31


2009 - Beamer Cabin at LC.

1981 - Star trails from Royal Arch Creek.

2015 - In Cathedral Wash.

   In 1981 I made a hike to Royal Arch after having been here just ten days earlier.  This hike lasted four days.  I camped all three nights in Royal Arch Creek and made day hikes from here.  This was my first day and I took this long exposure at night showing the star trails across the sky.
   In 2009 I hiked down the Tanner Trail on a four day hike with the intent to finally be able to hike up to the Little Colorado River.  This was my second day and I had a great day hike to the LC and back.  I didn't have time to really go up the LC, but so it goes.  Here is Beamer's old cabin right at the confluence.  Somehow I missed seeing this when Cara Lynn and I were here on our river trip in 2002!  I wrote up a full account here.
   In 2015 I led our annual faculty hike up to the Lees Ferry area to do two short hikes - one down Cathedral Wash and the other up the Spencer Trail.  It was a fantastic day for these hikes with TS Amer, Bev Amer, Tim Clark and me.  Here is TS making his way along one of the ledges in Cathedral Wash, and Tim can be seen further down on the other side.  

Hiking Log for October - Unknown Dates

1990 - Three days/two nights down Grandview to Cottonwood with Sue Foster and Mel Medeiros.

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