On the single day I had at the South Rim with no fog or rain, I determined to capture its magnificent sunset views. Rather than hop the shuttle at Bright Angel trailhead and hop off at each of the viewpoints along the South Rim for a photo op (which is what everyone else that evening was up to), I devoted two hours to skipping the shuttle, hiking the Rim route, and taking photos all along the path as the sun was setting. This gave me the chance to see more views and take photos the others would miss. Plus I got a nice hike in.
At Powell Point, the wind suddenly whipped up and the temperature dropped instantly about 20 degrees (effects of Hurricane Rosa). It was really cold, and I admittedly felt a bit smug that I had stuffed a wool hat, extra polar fleece, and gloves into my day pack. I continued to Mohave Point, just in time for the finish of the show. My favorite photo from the evening was the one above—taken as I looked back on my path halfway between two of the shuttle stops. Here are a few more:
And here’s the beginning of the storm:
Next morning…
I was up at 5am, excited to get out while it was dark to the Tower and catch a few shots of sunrise. I knew this would be last chance before leaving, and didn’t mind freezing in the wind for 45 minutes before sunrise. I got to be the first person there, and the best shots came before the sun actually rose.
After warming back up and having breakfast it was my plan to leave for Moab, via Page. I made an impromptu turnoff to view an archeological site of a little Anasazi community and, while in its little museum, was asked by the ranger if I
had heard the news. There was a sinkhole just north on Hwy 89, (my intended route), and a washout on the North Rim of the park. I would have to alter my plans once again. Onward to Williams, Winona, and the Navajo and Hopi Reservations.
