Not as cold this AM. Quick bfast and then on road North to Grand Canyon.
On road around 7:30 their time and the road was almost clear of traffic. Stopped @ FS ranger station just outside park for info on Rainbow trail on North rim. By time back on road traffic was picking up heading in my direction to the park.
Entry fee is $25. Found XG. Stood in line behind 3 people for 30 mins. My turn, I asked for a site for tonight. She said she had none and wouldn’t know until later in AM after checkout. I saw maybe 4 “I’m leaving” cards deposited. I didn’t press it. I was pissed that I wasted 30 mins and that the staff was not statusing their customers.
Drove back to ranger station and asked where I could primitive camp. Picked a logging road just South, found a site, and placed my carpet & chair for squating notice.
I drove back into park and finally found the parking lot for Mather Point which is right in middle of tourist population. The lot was plugged and drivers were queued down the center of the lot waiting for next opening. I was next. A car to my left was backing out of a parking spot and I am next. Before I could shift into drive, a car zoomed by on my left and swiped the spot. I waited for the Washington state driver to get out. I said I was waiting for that spot. He said something to the effect that there are more places to look @ the canyon.
Shortly a spot opened and I pulled in. The place is plugged w/ people. I walk out to rim, the first time I looked into the canyon. WOW!!! It is so big and spectacular. Pictures capture such small portions of the entire view. Seeing it in person was literally breath taking.
As I walked around the mass of tourists I heard almost all foreign languages. Lets make America the environmentally healthy place to visit, a tourism nation.
I drove over to Bright Angel Inn to maybe hike a bit of trail. T-Storm moving in and I could not find a place to park. Just soo many people.
With that I left the park for my non populated primitive site where a short T-storm struck.
I might try a short Bright Angel hike tomorrow and then drive over to North rim for Rainbow trail.
Hi Craig. I hope you are doing well. I look forward to reading your posts. Stop by for lunch when you are back in Spokane.
Jeff
Craig,
I think you’ll be disappointed with Bright Angel. Big puddles of mule piss everywhere. Crazy foreign tourists. (I have some great stories of the people I encountered hiking out from a week long backpack trip) Try Hermit. It’s only about 7 miles away and you can catch the bus out. Much more primative.
Craig,
Jack From Gallup. Your trip is amazing and I enjoy catching up on your riding. I would have enjoyed seeing you back in the Zunis, but I understand you needed to move on. I’ll continue to follow your progress and maybe I’ll look you up for a ride sometime. Continue to have fun and RIDE ON!