Grand Canyon South Rim

[Monday 18 September]

Our first (and only) full day at the South Rim. I got up before the sun was up and walked over to the Lodge for coffee. We relaxed in the room before heading out.

We walked a short way down to the Red route shuttle stop passing the Bright Angel Trailhead. 

The Red shuttle travels along the western portion of the south rim to Hermit’s Rest, stopping along the way at nine viewpoints; we got off at five of them.

Maricopa Point:

From Maricopa we walked along the rim trail to Powell Point, named after John Wesley Powell, fascinating character in an era of incredible personalities:

It was a short walk along the trail to Hopi Point for another wonderful view of the Colorado River:

We got back on the shuttle and got off at The Abyss where we caught sight of a young Elk feeding right up to the rim edge.

Our next stop was at Pima Point and another glimpse of the Colorado.

Back on the shuttle we reached the end of the line at Hermit's Rest, a building of unique design to integrate into the environment the work of architect Mary Coulter. Like so many others connected with the creation of the Canyon park a fascinating character. Today it is a gift shop, cafe (of sorts) and restrooms.

Once back at the lodge we rested, refreshed ourselves and in the early afternoon took the Orange route shuttle from the visitor center out to Yaki Point and the eastern side of the South Rim.

typical of the desert scrub landscape here

waiting for the shuttle

From Yaki Point we returned to the visitor center and walked five minutes to nearby Mather Point. 

looking back 

Back at the center we took the Blue route shuttle into the village and got off at Yavapai Lodge where we sat outside with a brace of beers and chips and salsa.

Eventually we returned to our room and relaxed. A little before 6:00 pm we took our glasses of wine and walked over to the rim to appreciate the fading light on the canyon. We also caught sight of the bull elk wandering around cabins.

sitting outside the Lookout Studio looking back toward the Lodge

from atop Lookout Studio

looking toward the Lodge

the Lookout Studio

After a workmanlike meal at the Lodge cafe we walked outside into another glorious starry sky. Susan spotted both big and little dippers and we could easily make out the Milky Way. Walking along the rim in the dark — phone flashlights easing the way — we also noticed one or two dedicated hikers with headlamps on coming up the trail. Crazy we thought.