Fireplace inside Hermit's Rest

One of four Condors soaring in the thermals

Mule train on the Bright Angel Trail

Looks like a supply train

You can actually hear the rapids from this spot on the South Rim

Hermit's Rest

Another building by architect Mary Colter

Mon, 6/29/09

Mather NF Campground, Grand Canyon, South Rim: This morning we drove back over to Bright Angel Lodge to park and catch the shuttle out to Hermit’s Rest. This part of the South Rim is not accessible by car—you have to take the shuttle. They make 9 stops before ending at Hermit’s Rest. While waiting for the shuttle we saw three Condors soaring above a side canyon. These birds are huge--having something like a 9 foot wing span. We were lucky to see them. Our first stop was just on the other side of this side canyon. Got some amazing views of Bright Angel Trail and saw a mule train making its way up the trail. This trail is the easiest of the inner canyon trails. The worst part (for me) would be the initial series of switch-backs getting off the cliff. But the trail is wide and you could hug the cliff wall. Doesn’t sound like fun though. We stopped at most of the overlooks heading out but saved some for the return trip. You could get off and on wherever—they ran every 15 minutes or so. And you could walk the rim trail which went all the way to Hermit’s Rest. It’s called Hermit’s Rest because a Canadian prospector by the name of Boucher lived just over the rim by falling spring for 20 years. The building there at Hermit’s Rest was also designed by architect Mary Colter. Back on the shuttle stopping one more time with an amazing view of the Colorado. In fact, we spotted a boat trip down there. Seven boats. The river looked muddier than usual—probably because of the rain a couple of days ago. Back to where we got on the shuttle and then we walked over to Bright Angel Lodge and had a late lunch in the Arizona Room. We both had brisket with apple cider barbeque sauce. After lunch we walked back to historic Kolb Studio on the rim trail. This studio/home of Emory Kolb—photographer/river runner—was built right on the brink. It is now a library/book store and has great views of the Bright Angel Creek area and Indian Garden. It’s now about 3:30 and 89 degrees on the rim and looking down (way down) the Bright Angel Trail were some hikers trudging up the trail. It had to be well over 100 degrees down there with very little shade. That’s how hikers get in trouble. Hope they had lots of water. Walked back to our parking spot and drove back to our camp site. Very pleasant outside under the awning. Sat outside reading/relaxing for a while.