Sep 9, 2013

Exploring the back roads of the Grand Canyon, Part I

The North Rim. The only Rim! Well, geographically that may not be entirely true. It is 100% true in my mind though. The South Rim is Disneyland AZ. It's where you take kids and family to see the postcard view of the Grand Canyon along with 5,000 of your friends in motor coaches, station wagons and life sucking minivans. Alas, there is a solution. It's hard to get to and the roads are all dirt, rock and... mud. We started by meeting up in Mesquite, Nevada. It was hot! At least it was beautiful.  photo IMG_3076.jpg It was a warm night, but this spot was easy to find, meet and start off the morning journey. We ran by Terrible Herbst gas station in Mesquite to play the "how many times can you top of your gas tank" game. I choose Terrible Herbst every time because as a kid I watched the Herbst family race their Truggy in every desert race I went to and that thrill is well worth given them back a few bucks every time I get a chance. Oh, and it was the cheapest gas in town... that helps. And now for something completely different... How do you not check out a Nash when you get the chance.  photo IMG_3077.jpg He was headed to a classic car show from Vegas. He also head said it CAN hit 65MPH. "It hasn't in a long time, but it has..."  photo IMG_3078.jpg  photo IMG_3079.jpg Okay, back on topic. The crew:  photo IMG_3080.jpg Right from the start things get exponentially more pretty as you head south and get more remote.  photo IMG_3081.jpg  photo IMG_3082.jpg Coming down from the top of Lime Kiln Pass.  photo IMG_3088.jpg  photo IMG_3089.jpg The terrain is constantly changing. Every time you think you know what the area is going to look like, as you head south, it changes. This area was like a homecoming because I spent a few months(camping) and working here a few years back.  photo IMG_3091.jpg  photo IMG_3093.jpg  photo IMG_3094.jpg And then it starts changing again.  photo IMG_3096.jpg We decided to take a side trail on the way south and do some exploring.  photo IMG_3097.jpg And it changes again.  photo IMG_3100.jpg The mud just kept on getting more and more soupy!!  photo IMG_3104.jpg Heading down to Twin Point.  photo IMG_3107.jpg Twin Point is "remote" in some sense's, but in actual miles and time from pavement it's not that bad. Well worth the added effort. Just pull your truck up to the edge and relax.  photo IMG_3110.jpg Then, grab a camera and/or a book and soak it in.  photo IMG_3128.jpg This little fell the size of the palm of my hand was scurrying along. Pretty neat to see.  photo IMG_3115.jpg  photo IMG_3120.jpg So many sites along the rim.  photo IMG_3123.jpg So many great views that you have to keep getting up to take yet another picture. It's a good problem to have.  photo IMG_3125.jpg  photo IMG_3132.jpg In the morning, grab a cup of coffee and repeat.  photo IMG_3137.jpg  photo IMG_3142.jpg On day two we were headed for a much lower elevation spot with hopes of swimming in the Colorado!

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