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Northern Arizona

My first view of the Grand Canyon, from the Coconino Rim along the Arizona Trail

The Tusayan Ruins on the rim of the Canyon, one of many archeological sites along the Colorado River (and one of the few that remains after the building of both Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams). These square buildings are thought to be living rooms.

An amazing sight!

The Grand Canyon will mesmerize anyone, but especially those who have at least a basic understanding of geology -- the Grand Canyon displays about 2 billion years of geological history, from recent Coconino sandstone to the inner Gorge's Vishnu Schist.

First view of the Colorado River

Kurt, an impromptu trail angel from Detroit, who hooked me up with a beer to celebrate my last night of the trip.

Descending down the Tanner Trail.

The Redwall, a limestone layer that is about 335 million years old and 400-500 feet tall. This layer creates a real obstacle for climbing through the Canyon; there are not many places where faulting or erosion has provided a natural right of way.

The climb down the Tanner Trail is exhilarating.

Furnace Flats, an open area that is detested by rafters because this area bakes in the summertime sun almost all day.

Walking along the Colorado, which I could have boulder-hopped the last time I saw it, near its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Escalante Trail is easy and scenic for its first few miles west of the Tanner Trail, but then it becomes much more difficult as the side canyons become more prominent and the Inner Gorge begins to develop.

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