Grand Canyon
2006
around Memorial Day

Jim Wheeler's observations

take a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
South Rim to Ranch back to South Rim
North Rim to Phantom Ranch, then out to the South Rim

Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
The Great Wall in Courthouse Wash

Park Avenue Viewpoint

South Window in Arches

Fiery Furnace with Salt Valley in background

Devil's Garden

Dead Horse Point near Moab, Utah
The Colorado River carves its way southwest

Grand Canyon
Sunset, with Colorado River, viewed from Hopi Point on the South Rim

more views from Hopi Point

view from Yaki Point

O'Neill Butte, viewed from Yaki Point (200mm 1/750s f/4.5 20D body on sticks)

view from Yaki Point (100mm 1/500s f/6.7 20D body on sticks)

view from Yaki Point (200mm 1/750s f/5.6 20D body on sticks)

view from Yaki Point (200mm 1/750s f/5.6 20D body on sticks)

view from Yaki Point (200mm 1/750s f/5.6 20D body on sticks)

Mather Point (110mm 1/500s f/5.6 20D body on sticks)

O'Neill Butte viewed from Yaki Point. Note the South Kaibab Trail descending from the Butte.

view from Yaki Point

Mather Point

South Kaibab Trail, just below the South Rim trailhead leading down into the canyon
Shot from Yaki Point @ 7113 feet (200mm 1/45s f/5.6 20D body on sticks).

Descent into Grand Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail, with O'Neill Butte on the right, shot @ 6414 feet

South Kaibab Trail leading below O'Neill Butte, shot @ 6414 feet

South Kaibab Trail leading below O'Neill Butte, shot @ 6000 feet

South Kaibab Trail leading below O'Neill Butte, shot @ 5810 feet

South Kaibab Trail, shot @ 5308 feet

South Kaibab Trail, shot @ 5308 feet

First glimpse of the Colorado River from the South Kaibab Trail, shot @ 5154 feet
note the Plateau Point trail in the distance on the left

South Kaibab Trail, the 'switchback' below O'Neill Butte.
This shot, from Yaki Point (115mm 1/500s f/5.6 20D body on sticks), lends perspective to the next photo --
of the mules on the trail -- which was shot, facing left, from the switchback right in the middle of the frame.

South Kaibab Trail, waiting for mules to pass at the 'switchback', shot @ 4733 feet.
(see previoius shot for a perspective from Yaki Point)

South Kaibab Trail leads past 'The Tipoff', shot @ 3920 feet

South Kaibab Trail from just belolw 'The Tipoff', shot @ 3849 feet

South Kaibab Trail leads past 'The Tipoff', shot @ 3715 feet

The Colorado River viewed from the South Kaibab Trail, shot @ 3197 feet

The Colorado River and suspension bridge viewed from the South Kaibab Trail, shot @ 2820 feet

Rafters depart on the Colorado River at the bottom of Grand Canyon, shot @ 2600 feet

Two hikers cool their feet after the walk down -- 1 mile vertical, 9 miles horizontal.
Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon, shot @ 2779 feet

Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon, shot @ 2636 feet

Mule stables, South Kaibab Trail bridge near Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon, shot @ 2625 feet

Mule Deer near Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of Grand Canyon
shot @ 2787 feet (200mm 1/180s f/2.8 20D body)

Hiking back out the next day
Garden Creek along Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 3439 feet

Mule Deer near Garden Creek along Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 3639 feet (200mm 1/180s f/2.8 20D body)

Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 4473 feet

Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 4828 feet

view of the South Rim, from the Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 6135 feet

Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 6135 feet

a hiker pauses on his climb out along the Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 6135 feet

Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 6402 feet

Bright Angel Trail, shot @ 6564 feet

Ancestral Puebloan paintings, shot @ 6720 feet, on Bright Angel Trail
just below the South Rim trailhead, which is at @ 6835 feet

Grand Canyon: a California Condor
with a wingspan of 9 feet, soars above Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim, shot @ 6888 feet (200mm 1/500s f/4.5 20D body).
This species disappeared from the Canyon decades ago, and nearly became extinct (only 21 birds left on the planet).
It was recently re-introduced to the Canyon and they're now reproducing 'in the wild.' Note the number '27' under the left wing...
this adult Condor was re-introduced... the wild-born individuals will have no number tag.

Grand Canyon, viewed from Grandview Point, 7351 feet

Grand Canyon: eight views from Moran Point

Grand Canyon: five views from Lipan Point

so long, Grand Canyon, viewed from Yaki Point

large Kiva at Tusayan Ruin, near the South Rim of Grand Canyon

Lomaki ruins near Wupatki

Ball court at Wupatki, Arizona

Ruins at Wupatki, Arizona

Walnut Canyon, Arizona

Cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, three views

Meteor Crater

what's left of the meteor, excavated from the bottom of meteor crater

Petrified Forest Nat'l Park

The Tepees in Petrified Forest Nat'l Park

Puerco Pueblo in Petrified Forest Nat'l Park. Note the rock art glyphs in the middle of the frame.

Ruins at Puerco Pueblo in Petrified Forest Nat'l Park

Painted Desert in Petrified Forest Nat'l Park

San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos area, Taos, New Mexico

Taos Pueblo

The Rio Grande, north of Taos

take a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
South Rim to Ranch back to South Rim - 2007
North Rim to Phantom Ranch, then out to the South Rim - 2010

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