ÿþ<html> <head> <style type="text/css"> body { background-color:black; color:white; font-family:bookman old style,times roman; font-size:105%} h1 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} h2 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} table.big { width:850; font-size:110%} table.left { float:left; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.right { float:right; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.small { float:right; background-color:AA5500; color:black; font-size:60%; font-weight:bold; border:red blank; width:225} tr { vertical-align:top;} td.time { font-weight:bold; width:70} td.odo { font-weight:bold; width:60} p { text-align:left} p.center { text-align:center} p.bottom { text-align:center; font-size:80%} b.gold { color:gold} b.aqua { color:aqua} b.white { color:white; font-weight:bold; font-size:110%} img.v { width:77; border:0} img.h { height:77; border:0} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="d.css" /> <title>Grand Circle -- Day 2</title> </head> <body> <p class="center"> <table class="big"> <tr> <td colspan=3> <h1>Day 2 -- 29th May</h1> <td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">Time (PDT)</td> <td class="odo">Odo- meter</td> <td><td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">7:25</td> <td class="odo">554</td> <td><p>It was good to wake up to a hearty breakfast. </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">8:35</td> <td class="odo">554</td> <td> <p>We left Kanab and followed 89 East for ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">9:35</td> <td class="odo">599</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0432.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0432.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Layered cliffs along Rt. 89 flowing across the window.</td></tr></table> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0435.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0435.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Emily outside the Ranger Station.</td></tr></table> The <b class="gold">Paria Ranger Station</b>. We almost missed the station -- just a small plain-looking building by the road. We asked the ranger about directions to the Coyote Buttes, a restricted area open only to 10 people per day. (We, of course, had obtained the permits months ago.) </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">9:45</td> <td class="odo">605</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0445.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0445.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Pretty yellow flowers dotted the desert.</td></tr></table> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0447.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0447.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>THreatening dark clouds near the trailhead.</td></tr></table> We were directed to take the small House Rock Dirt Road a few miles from the station. Ten miles later we left Utah and entered the Arizona again. We passed the trailhead to the more poular north region of the Coyote Buttes, cut across a large field of desert scrubs, until we arrived at the trailhead to the much less visited south region. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">10:30</td> <td class="odo">622</td> <td> <p> <table class="small"><tr><td> <b class="white">Coyote Buttes</b><br> The Coyote Buttes are divided into two regions, north and south. A different day permit is required for each region. The North region is more popular, more accessible and contains the most famous landmark of the Buttes -- <a href="http://utahoutdoors.com/pages/the_wave.htm">the Wave</a>. The South region is more remote but no less spectacular. To protect the fragile landscape, the Bureau of Land Management is giving only 10 day permits per day, which tend to be all booked months ahead. </td></tr></table> <table class="left"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0456.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0456.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Gothic dead tree against gloomy skies.</td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0477.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0477.jpg"></a></td> </tr> <tr><td> a tight situation!</td></tr></table> At the trailhead we needed to make an important decision: should we walk the 3 miles to the buttes, risking getting soaked if the dark clouds above us get nasty; or should we drive on the trail (after all, it was a <i>Jeep</i>), risking getting trapped in the "thick sandy patches" on the trail (as advertized on the official pamphlet)? At first we were tempted by the latter option, but after a couple of hundred yards we were rather alarmed by the trail cutting straight across a dry river bed. Changing our mind, we parked and started walking. </p> <p> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0495.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0495.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>The amazing prickly pear (not really a pear but a kind of catcus) blossom. </td></tr> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0464.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0464.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Approaching the Coyote Buttes.</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0521.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0521.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>On way back on the "thick sandy" trail. Fortunately we had not keep driving on this trail.</td></tr></table> <table class="left"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0450.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0450.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0458.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0458.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>On the way, Emily met Jabba the hut.</td> <td>CK practising his climbing skills.</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0482.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0482.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0481.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0481.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>These two pictures were taken at the same time. Half the sky was still dark and gloomy, but the sun was breaking out gloriously at the other side. </td></tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0488.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0488.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0491.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0491.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>Exploring in the rock garden. </td></tr></table> The trail slowly climbed uphill; soon interesting red sandstone buttes started popping up along the path. Then in the distance, we found a whole landscape of these buttes, informing us that we had arrived at our destination -- the <b class="gold">Coyote Buttes</b>. The buttes are huge red sandstones formations, up to tens of feet tall, more or less conical in shape, with deep cracks spiralling all over their surfaces. It was quite a sight to see dozens of these buttes clustering together, especially after the sun finally made his appearance. We spent an enjoyable hour exploring between the buttes, as well as climbing a few of them (the shorter ones only). <br> Hiking statistics: 6 mi •!500ft. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan=3> <table class="right"> <td><a href="photos/pan01.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/pan01.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Our first panorama!</td></tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">13:40</td> <td class="odo">622</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0537.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0537.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>The Vermillion Cliffs.</td></tr></table> Returning to our car, we headed south along the dirt road through the <b class="gold">Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area</b>. The dark clouds have almost completely disappeared. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">14:20</td> <td class="odo">634</td> <td> <p>Turning west into Rt. 89A, we slowly climbed up the Kaibab Plateau until we arrived at ...</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">14:40</td> <td class="odo">648</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0546.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0546.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>The tree-lined Rt. 67. </td></tr></table> The tiny village of <b class="gold">Jacob Lake</b>, also known as the gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, as this was where Rt. 67 began its 45 mile journey to the North Rim. Rt. 67 was the self-titled "the most comfortable 45 mile drive" in the country, and indeed it was very relaxing to cruise along the open road and enjoy the many shades of green, from the dark pines to the light mountain ashes.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">15:05</td> <td class="odo">673</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0552.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0552.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Path to Kaibab Lodge. </td></tr></table> We checked in at the <a href="http://www.kaibab.org/serv/gc_ol_xl.htm"><b class="gold">Kaibab Lodge</b></a>, where we had reservation for a rustic cabin. The cabin faced a large, beautiful meadow with an inviting front porch. It was also supposed to be the prime location to spot the white bushy tails and tufted ears of the Kaibab squirrels, but we did not see any. Instead of waiting for the squirrels, we headed for the North Rim. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">15:55</td> <td class="odo">679</td> <td> Entering the <b class="gold">Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim</b>. Since we would be staying at the Grand Canyon Lodge near the popular Bright Angel Point after the transcanyon hike, we skipped the Bright Angel Point for the time being and instead took the less-visited Cape Royal Scenic Drive. </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">16:30</td> <td class="odo">698</td> <td> <p><b class="gold">Vista Encantada</b> was the first view point on the Cape Royal Scenic Drive -- also our first sight of the Grand Canyon on the trip. We were so excited. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">16:40</td> <td class="odo">700</td> <td> <p>Throughout out trip we found numerous dedications to Teddy Roosevelt, the godfather of the National Parks System. <b class="gold">Point Roosevelt</b> here was one example.</p> <table class="left"> <tr style={vertical-align:bottom}> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0554.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0554.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0557.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0557.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0564.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0564.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0565.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0565.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0569.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0569.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0571.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0571.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0572.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0572.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>Emily at Vista Encantada.</td> <td colspan=2>CK at Point Roosevelt.</td> <td colspan=3>Walhalla Point. See the hole in the cliff behind CK? That was the Angels Window. We would be on its top in an hour.</td></tr></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">17:00</td> <td class="odo">707</td> <td> <p><b class="gold">Walhalla Point</b>. Walhalla was the great hall in Norse mythology where the souls of heroes slain in battle were received. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">17:10</td> <td class="odo">708</td> <td> <p>The <b class="gold">Cliff Spring Trail</b> was a short walk past an indian ruin site, followed a crack on the face of the cliff to a tiny spring. <table class="left"> <tr style={vertical-align:bottom}> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0574.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0574.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0578.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0578.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0581.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0581.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0591.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0591.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0582.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0582.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0585.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0585.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Indian ruins site.</td> <td colspan=2>Sights along the Cliff Spring Trail. </td> <td colspan=2>Walking along the crack on the cliff. </td> <td>Gothic tree.</tr></table> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">17:55</td> <td class="odo">708</td> <td> <p>Returned from the Cliff Spring Trail. Hiking Statistics: 1 mi •!100ft. </p> <p> <table class="right"> <tr style={vertical-align:bottom}> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0599.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0599.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0601.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0601.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0594.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0594.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0596.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0596.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>Approaching the arch of the Angels Window.</td> <td colspan=2>One could see the Colorado River through the Window.</td> </tr></table> Half a mile from the Cliff Spring Trailhead, the Cape Royal Scenic Drive ended at (not too surprisingly) the Cape Royal parking area. On our way to Cape Royal we stopped at the <b class="gold">Angels Window</b>, a big window in the cliff. <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/pan02.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/pan02.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td>View from the top of the Angels Window.</td></tr></table> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td> <p>Finally, <b class="gold">Cape Royal</b> -- the southernmost point on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time"></td> <td class="odo"></td> <td> <table class="left"> <tr style={vertical-align:bottom}> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0618.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0618.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0619.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0619.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0620.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0620.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0621.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0621.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0648.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0648.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0636.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0636.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0622.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0622.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>On our way to Cape Royal.</td> <td>Approaching Cape Royal.</td> <td colspan=3>Sharp fins rising from the Canyon.</td> <td>The sun was getting low.</tr></table> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/pan03.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/pan03.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td>Cape Royal.</td></tr></table> </p> </td> </tr> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">19:10</td> <td class="odo">708</td> <td> <p>Leaving Cape Royal. Hiking statistics: 1 mi •!0ft. </p> <p>On our way back, we decided to take the side trip to Point Imperial. As our Jeep climbed slowly up the windy road towards our destination, we could clear feel the temperature dropping rapidly. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">19:45</td> <td class="odo">725</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr><td><a href="photos/DSCN0655.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0655.jpg"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0654.jpg" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0654.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=2>Emily shivering in the chilly winds. </td></tr></table> When we stepped out of out Jeep at <b class="gold">Point Imperial</b>, we were greeting at once by cutting cold winds. At 8803 ft, Point Imperial was the highest vantage point on either rim as well as one of the windiest spot. While earlier at the Coyote Buttes we walked around in short sleeves, here we put on our windbreakers but were still shivering. We barely managed to snap a few pictures before retreating to the shelter of our Jeep. Finally we were convinced the North Rim needed to be closed from mid-October to mid-May due to heavy snow. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">20:15</td> <td class="odo">748</td> <td> <p>Back at the Kaibab Lodge. Too cold and dark to look for squirrels. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">21:45</td> <td class="odo">748</td> <td> <p>After an eternity, we finally got a table at the Kaibab Lodge restaurant. We were so hungry that our pork chops and chicken breast vanished in no time. </p> <p>We went to bed after dinner. Tomorrow we needed to get up early to catch the transcanyon shuttle to the South Rim. </p> <p style={text-align:right}><a href="d03.html">next day</a></p> <td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=3> <hr> <p class="bottom"> <form name="nav" method="POST"> <div align="center"> Jump To: <select name="xfer" size="1"> <option value="../../private/index.html">CK's Home Page</option> <option value="index.html">Grand Circle Trip</option> <option value="d01.html">Day 1</option> <option value="d02.html" selected="selected">Day 2</option> <option value="d03.html">Day 3</option> <option value="d04.html">Day 4</option> <option value="d05.html">Day 5</option> <option value="d06.html">Day 6</option> <option value="d07.html">Day 7</option> <option value="d08.html">Day 8</option> <option value="d09.html">Day 9</option> <option value="d10.html">Day 10</option> <option value="d11.html">Day 11</option> <option value="d12.html">Day 12</option> <option value="d13.html">Day 13</option> <option value="d14.html">Day 14</option> <option value="d15.html">Day 15</option> <option value="d16.html">Day 16</option> <option value="d17.html">Day 17</option> <option value="d18.html">Day 18</option> <option value="d19.html">Day 19</option> <option value="d20.html">Day 20</option> <option value="d21.html">Day 21</option> <option value="d22.html">Day 22</option> <option value="thoughts.html">Thoughts</option> </select> <input type="button" onclick="location = ''+document.nav.xfer.options[document.nav.xfer.selectedIndex].value;" value="Go!" /> <div style={font-size:75%}> (These pages were developed with Internet Explorer and may not align correctly in other browsers.) </div> </div></form> </p> <p align="center">Created on 16th Aug 2004. 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