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Grand Canyon South
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 South Kaibab Trail by mikehanneman
The shuttle bus (LP) that runs through the park is a nice option. Take the bus west to Hermits Rest. There are a lot of points to enjoy different vantages of the Canyon along the way including the shut down Orphan Mine in the distance. Check out Hermits Rest and it's history dating back to1909. Don't let the ravens snatch you snack though. There is the Hermit trail to the west which I hiked down a couple of miles. It is a rough trail compared to Bright Angel and the Kaibab trail. Take some water and snacks because there wont be any water or shade along the trail. Hike early or late in the day and let someone know where you are and when you will return.
Try a rim walk too. Again, take some water so you don't get too hot.
Stroll through the forest. I enjoyed the smells of the forest with the pinyon pines, ponderosa pines and juniper trees. My daughter saw a different kind of Bluejay. A very pretty light blue unlike any I had ever seen in Iowa.
Along the rim it is quite a sight to gaze out into the Grand Canyon and have the condors circling above. One trip my family and I took a couple of years ago it was amazing to hear the condors swoosh above you with their ten foot wing spans.
If you want to go to a couple of shops check out the Kob Studio, Lookout Studio and other shops like in the El Tovar Hotel. It was cool to see all the stuffed animals from a long time ago hanging on the wall.
See my tips concerning hiking at the Grand Canyon on my home page.
No doubt there is a lot to do along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Leave a Comment Other Contact: mikeh166@mchsi.com
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Most visitors to the park come to the South Rim, arriving on Arizona Highway 64. The Highway enters the park through the South Entrance, near Tusayan, Arizona, and heads eastward, leaving the park through the East Entrance. Park headquarters are at Grand Canyon Village, a short distance from the South Entrance, being also the center of the most popular viewpoints like Yavapai Point, and the Village Architectures like Bucky O'Neill Cabin, El Tovar Hotel, Kolb Studio, Hopi Indian House and Bright Angel Lodge. The village is the Jump-Off point for many activities like whitewater rafting, hiking and Running. The floor of the valley is accessible by foot, muleback, or by boat or raft from upriver. Hiking down to the river and back up to the rim in one day is discouraged by park officials because of the distance, steep and rocky trails, change in elevation, and danger of heat exhaustion from the much higher temperatures at the bottom Phone: (928) 638-7888Directions: Arizona Highway 64 to Grand Canyon South Entrance. Write to Grand Canyon National Park P.O. Box 129 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023Website: www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon
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Bright Angel Trail is a typical trail; but you yourself choose how hard it is. The most daring may go down to the river or if you just want to be one of the 5% of the visitors that go below the rim you can take a walk to the archway. On the way down on the left are some petroglyphs. You are mostly in the shade so it is not too hot. If you are a hiker this is a pretty good trail, just make sure to bring lots of water. Even if you are not that much of a hiker you can just take a small walk down to be one of the few who stand under the rim. Directions: south rim park
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 by VeronicaG
As we pulled up to the park entrance to pay our $25.00, a sign indicated that those lots we had pinpointed earlier were already full. #1 rule: believe the guidebook when it says to be there by 8 am!!
Since we had planned to take in Desert View Drive at some point, our choice was made for us...happily to our advantage. The drive was spectacular!
There were many overlooks, Pipe Creek Vista, Yaki Point, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point and finally The Watchtower.
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 Hiking down the South Kaibab
Trail at dusk by mikehanneman
There was a guy in the parking lot from Texas having a beer. I started to speak to him and I happened to look up at the night sky and noticed the Milky Way and other stars and planets. I am from Iowa (800 plus feet above sea level) and we are not able to see such great views of the sky.
I noticed he had a basic set of binoculars. He had me look at Jupiter, and I saw 4 moons. Unreal!
Take a moment to gaze up at the incredible night sky and you won't be disappointed. At 7,000 feet you can see a lot more stars and planets. Leave a Comment
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 www.kaibab.org by madamx
The El Tovar is celebrating it's 100th Birthday this year, and the grand opening was 2 days after we left the canyon, so we missed seeing the interior, as the hotel was closed. I was told by canyon employees that the hotel was getting a major overhaul, and should look beautiful. Perhaps if we return next year, we'll be able to see it. Leave a Comment Directions: In East Grand Canyon Village, just off the Main Park Road (follow the signs)
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 One of Many Unobstructed Views by Radiomom
While most people head straight for the South Entrance of the Grand Canyon, from Flagstaff you can take US 89 to Arizona 64 to reach the EAST entrance of the park. Desert View is the first official "vantage point" and the views are extraordinary. For the next 25 miles, you can drive and stop at several viewing spots such as Navaho Point, and Lipan Point (where you get great views of the Colorado River). You park your car and head down the paths to the vantage points. Having taken advantage of seeing some of these places, continue on this drive until you reach "Grand Canyon Village" where there are multiple parking lots. This is where you'll find some of the crowds - but you can see what the in-the-park lodges are like, and pick up general park information either at the Info Center or in the lobby of Bright Angel or El Tovar Lodges.
If you've packed a picnic lunch, you might want to catch one of the shuttle buses to Maricopa Point or Powell Point if you want a longer trek, and hike the rim trail back to the village, stopping to picnic along the way. (There aren't tables or clearly marked spots, but it's not hard to find some shaded rocks or felled trees just off the path. Obviously you will need to haul your trash out with you to be disposed of in the containers that are easy to spot at each "viewing" area. ) Even if you don't take a lunch, be sure to CARRY WATER, and drink it! You get dehydrated easily at high altitudes!
I'm sure there will be more people there in July than we saw in April, but don't worry. You won't be stuck "in a crowd" at very many places. Leave a Comment
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 It's a condor! by VeronicaG
As we commented on the colors of the canyon and I took a few pictures of the view, my husband casually pointed out a large, black bird in the distance. "It's a condor," he said.
As it gracefully soared with the wind currents flowing along the canyon, I frantically tried to snap a picture.
The condor was deep black in color, but beneath its wings were triangular patches of white, just as the guide had told us. I read that this often indicates a male.
Eight pictures later, I only had one photo showing a black speck some distance away from us. Yes, it definitely was a condor--but would anyone believe me???
FYI: There are currently 60-70 condors living at the Grand Canyon. Directions: Along Hermit Road, Grand Canyon
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The Rim Trail is an easy walk and has lovely views of the canyon. It can be accessed at Grand Canyon Village and Hermit's Road. This is particularly convenient for those travelers staying at The El Tovar hotel.
I'd suggest this trail for families, but you still have to keep your guard up because the path comes very close to the edge in some spots. KEEP YOUR YOUNGSTERS IN HAND AT ALL TIMES!
On the day we walked along the Rim Trail, a wedding was being conducted at one of the overlooks. It was quite windy and I'm sure the bride and groom felt the force of it! I snapped a few pictures of this solemn moment while we were some distance away (picture 2).
FYI: A separate wheelchair path runs parallel to the Rim Trail
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The Hermit Road Shuttle can be easily accessed at Grand Canyon Village and runs for 1 1/2 hours to its conclusion at Hermit's Rest. Since it was towards evening, we didn't travel the entire route.
As the bus approaches overlooks, you can get on or off at your choosing-- there's no charge for the park's shuttles.
This monument at Powell Point lookout is in honor of Major John Wesley Powell, the first explorer of the Grand Canyon river gorge. He descended into the canyon to the Colorado River using rowboats in August, 1869 and September, 1872.
From this overlook, you can see what remains of a mine, which seems to be hanging on the side of the sheer cliff (picture 2).
A brief history of The Orphan Mine: a claim was filed in 1893. The area consists of 20 acres or so and was mined for copper and other precious metals.
In 1951 high grade uranium was discovered. All mining ceased in 1969 and The National Park now lists it as a historical structure. Clean up of the area is being analyzed for removal of contaminants. Directions: Along Hermit Road, Grand Canyon
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