PHOENIX AND THE GRAND CANYON
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Camelback Mountain, PhoenixEnormous cacti covered the cliffs of this rocky mountain. The city of Phoenix sprawls below.
Cowboy, Grand Canyon National ParkI found this cowboy wandering the dry depths of the canyon, and decided to bring him home with me.
South Kaibab Trail, Grand CanyonThe hot sun shone brightly on the bright red rocks. We decended through several millions of years of geology during the hike down, the dust changing colors according to the type of stone in the layer beneath our feet.
Dead tree, South Kaibab TrailAmazingly, not all the trees appeared as dead as this one, but somehow sprung up green from the dust, braving the harsh desert environment.
Century plant (family agave)Most of these plants were in bloom with 7-ft high stalks topped by a bush of yellowish flowers. This one was a little behind, but one can almost discern the stalk ready to burst out of the middle.
South Kaibab TrailOur long day hike took us about 3/4 of the way down into the canyon. The trail circumvented the plateaus below.
Rock formations, South Kaibab TrailFascinating patterns of erosion formed in the rocks.
The Grand CanyonAbout an hour before sunset, a haze decended into the canyon, creating an interesting light effect.
Sunset, the Grand CanyonRays of light escape from a distant bank of clouds over the canyon.
The Grand CanyonDeep shadows created a perfect opportunity to capture a black and white shot.
Rainbow, Grand CanyonIt was exciting to see rain in the desert and even be spattered by a few drops at intervals. This raincloud in the distance blessed us with a rainbow.
Adobe ruins of the Sinagua TribeThis ancient tribe settled in the middle of the desert, near the Sunset Crater volcano. Apparently, a small stream of runoff used to trickle near the settlement, but has dried up since. Sometimes, the members of the tribe would hike 10 miles to the Little Colorado River for water.
On the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park