Tapeats ampitheatre of the Grand Canyon

[BLKNBLU]

Next it was time to head out So we packed up and crossed the creek for the last time.



We worked our way out through Surprise Valley and up the Redwall to camp which got some colorful hues working at Sunset.



For some reason I felt a bit puny at the end of the day. In retrospect I probably came up a little short on food, salts, and fluid intake for the day. I ate, drank and slept well that night, and felt fine the next day. I'm glad we had it set up for two days out. In the past we have done both one and two day exits from the canyon. This day it gave me all I wanted.

 

[BLKNBLU]

One of the good things about spending a night on the Esplenade is the chance for great sunsets. This years was decent but not up to AZ standards unfortunately. I'll let you all be the judge.

 

[BLKNBLU]

Next morning Mother Nature threw us a bone with a nice sunrise to start the day.


A few morning light shots as we made our way across the Esplenade.




And a little help from the lizard to stand guard over the trailmarker and provide just enough ballast to keep it from going over.

 

[BLKNBLU]

Finally up and out.


And on to the important stuff.


Then it was off to Jacob Lake and a Grand Bull Burger. Mmmmm. Highly recommended if your ever in the area. After lunch and some trinket shopping for the wives, we had to make our way back around to the South Rim to pick up Todd's truck. At the turn off to highway 64 we were treated to a good view on the left and some good advice on the right.


That should cover the bulk of it. Thanks all for indulging me. I will add a few items as I get the chance such as mileages and more exactly where some of these points are. Also have a (very) few flora pics as the flowers were just not plentiful this year that I will get to eventually.

 

[chrslefty]

thoes are some sweet pics mike ! looks like you had a good time !

 

[BLKNBLU]

thoes are some sweet pics mike ! looks like you had a good time !

Thanks Chris. Yes, a good time was had. Any chance you can hook up on this one:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17983

For those interested, a quick tracing on TOPO shows 8.5 miles from the Bill Hall trailhead to Tapeats Creek, 10.5 miles to go Tapeats/River/Deer Creek and back, 9.5 miles fot Tapeats/River/Deer Creek/Surprise Valley/Tapeats. All distances approximate but close enough.

 

[ttora4runner]

Again, great photos mike. Wish I had the time and gear to do that.

 

[KSJeep]

Great report, reminds me of my hiking trip there. Great thing about the Canyon is, you just can't take a bad picture.

 

[unwiredadventures]

Great photos. A very scenic trip! You had it warmer than us.

 

[BLKNBLU]

Great photos. A very scenic trip! You had it warmer than us.

Yeah. We lucked out. Nothing like getting down to 2200 ft from 7500 to warm you up.

 

[unwiredadventures]

Yeah. We lucked out. Nothing like getting down to 2200 ft from 7500 to warm you up.

We had one night in the low forties when we were lower in elevation.