Sunrise at Yavapai Point

It was a cold and rainy hike out to Yavapai point for the sunrise.  With overcast skies and rain it didn't seam likely we'd have a great sunrise, fortunately that wasn't the case.  The rains slowly cleared and as the first light peaked over a clear horizon, the canyon came to light under a rain patched sky.  Clouds, rainbows and patchy sunlight made for an awesome sunrise

Hike along the South Rim Trail

The rest of the day brought warmer temperatures. After a 45 minute bus ride out to Hermits Rest, we began the 8 mile hike back to Grand Canyon village along the south rim.  The lack of crowds, cool air and the dramatic lighting of the sun which travels low in the November sky created an ideal time for visiting the Canyon.  The dramatic landscapes where enhanced by rolling clouds, spontaneous rains, rainbows and friendly wildlife.  Frequent and long rest stops along the rim trail turned our 8 mile hike into a full day.  We made it back to the village just as the sun set and the temperatures fell.

Hike into the Canyon, Bright Angle trail to Plateau Point.

From the south rim, Bright Angle trail drops about 2500' in a 3 mile hike to the first rest area, another 3 miles and 1500' out to Plateau point and still the Colorado is a 1000' below that.  The round trip hike of more than 12 miles and a long stay at Plateau Point made for another full day.  Inside the Canyon,  the feeling is more that of a giant desert surrounded by mountains. The stark landscapes are striped by occasional lines of green and trees, oasis formed by tributaries flowing into the Canyon, and ultimately into the Colorado.