At Government Canyon I was able to capture a couple of photos of Rain Lilies that I really liked. They were in abundance today. Here is my favorite—
Rain Lilies
Royal Arch Update
Sophi and I had an adventure March 14-19, 2008, as we hiked the Royal Arch Route for 5 days and 4 nights. I will create a page tab dedicated to the Royal Arch when I find the time. Currently we are involved in creating a DVD that we narrate so that we can share it with the family. Once that is done I can post a page on this site.
In short, each day was an adventure. Day one involved snow, ice, route finding on the pack trail, and getting befuddled at the same pour over that caused me to make “the Jump” last year—the photo shows Sophi at that pour over. The second day was all boulder hopping. We did get to the Natural Arch but did not make it to the rappel area until the Third day. Much of the adventure comes from boulder hopping as each boulder blocking the creek bed posed a new problem to solve and overcome. The third day we hiked from just above the rappel to Elve’s chasm and backtracked some to Garnet Canyon. This was more boulder hopping, not quite as severe but very trecherous. Much of the rocks we scrambled over were basaltic and ripped at our clothing and shoes. From Garnet we found our way out and had to do some route finding (no cairns or discernable trail) to work our way to my campsite from the year before, where we brunched. This was to be a gruesome day as we had very little water. The canyons provided no relief for us. So, all day we rationed. We arrived at Bass Canyon at a water hole I had marked the previous year at about 7:30 PM. The next day was all up hill as we hiked out.
I look forward to providing more details and photos in a static page.
Yesterday I spent the AM in Government Canyon. I was hoping to get some flower shots but nothing was blooming except a few Mountain Laurel, a scattering of daisies, and a smidgen of verbena.
Texas Mountain Laurel revisited
Today I managed a short hike in Government Canyon, about 6.6 miles (Parking D > Recharge > Far Reaches > Wildcat > and back to Recharge). I am a bit pressed for time because of the upcoming hike with Sophi. We leave for the Grand Canyon this Thursday in the AM. I am using the weekend to gather supplies from my pack inventory list and prepare the GPS systems and camera with the correct time and date so everything will be in synch. I hope Sophi and I have some great photos to share and a few adventures as well. We are both looking forward to it.
Government Canyon had a few more blooms of Mountain Laurel. I captured about 10 photos and this was the best by far.
Texas Mountain Laurel
Yesterday I did a Twin Oaks Loop hike (Parking A > Recharge Trail > Far Reaches > Sendero Balcones > Twin Oaks > Johnstone) and noticed a few blooms of Texas Mountain Laurel. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera. So, this coming week I can hopefully capture some nice photos. Government Canyon is about to burst with wildflowers.
The Royal Arch
My youngest daughter Sophi and I have a great adventure awaiting us. We will be hiking the Royal Arch Loop.
The Royal Arch loop is a 5 day hike in the Grand Canyon.
Our flight leaves for Las Vegas, March 13, 2008, early in the morning. We will drive an All-wheel SUV from Las Vegas to Tusayan where we will stay the night. The next morning, early, we will leave for Pasture Wash (park dirt road) and cross the Havasupai Indian Reservation to reach the trail head for the Bass Trail. We should be on the trail in the early morning.
I hiked the Royal Arch Loop last year at this time and it was the toughest hike I have ever done. The trail leading down the canyon is not really a trail, it is a tributary to the Royal Arch Creek and the Royal Arch Creek itself. It is strewn with boulders and deep drop offs. It becomes a trail of commitment as it is very difficult to retrace your steps.
The second day we should reach the natural arch. I’m hoping to get many outstanding photos of it and the trail itself. Later in the second day there is a 20 foot drop that requires ropes. Sophi and I practiced roping by going over to Lowes at Bandera Point (San Antonio, Tx). She did very well—great form. She is not afraid to lean over the edge and then walk down the side. The third day we will hike along the Colorado to Elve’s chasm. I hope we can go up Elve’s chasm a bit to see the natural arch from a different vantage point. We will then head for Garnet Canyon and pick up the Tonto trail at its western-most point. The next day is a hike along the T0nto to the Bass Canyon where we will hike out. It should take us 5 days hiking and 4 nights. We are psyched.
The celebration is planned at Pasta-to-go in Tusayan. For the past several years it has become a tradition to celebrate hikes by feasting at this wonderful restaurant. Spaghetti dinner, salad bar, beer on tap!!!
Hello world!
Hi. This blog is dedicated to my family. I want to tell them stories about some things I did. I would like to start with my Alaska trip because that was an adventure and I made two great friends for life on that trip—Art and Fuzz.
I have never been good about keeping a diary so this will be a test for me. First, I must rely on memory for certain events but that shouldn’t be too bad. Secondly, I must be committed to following through with this. It is not an easy task to come home from work and then blog, research, and write. Yet, maybe it won’t be so bad. Maybe it will be relaxing. I do want to share my stories.
