Lake Powell, Grand Canyon and Zion National Park
Trip Start
Jul 24, 2010
1
6
23
Trip End
Oct 19, 2010
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Sunday, August 8, 2010
We then headed to Grand Canyon North Rim which was around 3 hours away, stopping off for cookies and then a meal of roast turkey, 3 berry sauce and mash at a lodge near the canyon. We arrived after dark so didn't need to pay the entry fee or camping fee (a total saving of $35, but we have been working for the parks so its only fair). Spent a few hours drinking and playing card games, really cold at nearly 9000ft though. Didn't see the canyon until the next morning, we wanted to see sunrise but it was a bit too cloudy, when it brightened up later though the view was really impressive, its hard to take it all in though as my expectations were to see a large drop but instead is a canyon stretching a far as the eye can see. The south rim supposedly has better sudden drops but the few hours we were there for were pretty cool, Carly told us of the time when she came 5 years ago and we saw the same hut she stayed in so had to take a photo for the family.
Next stop was Zion, a place we worked at for 8 days but didn't actually get to visit the National Park, it was slow getting there due to large volumes of American tourist still on their summer vacation, but arrived to lots of sunshine. Decided our first trek was to go up to angels landing, a hike that has killed several people due to the sheer drops, but put that thought to one side and headed up the steep climb, hand rails are used at many points as there is a 1000ft drop on both sides. Only me and Dan made it up to the ridiculously steep part, which was pretty scary especially with the thunderstorm nearing in, we decided not to go any further as we were holding on to metal posts with the rain starting to come down, really annoyed we didn't make it that few 100 yards further but the views were still really rewarding. Had a meal and found out my next project was to be at Grand Canyon Parashants which will be pretty hot. More camping out for free as we arrived after dark, few beers and card games in the car due to a big thunderstorm, Dan had a few too many beers and felt ill all night, luckily camped next to the toilets though.
Next day had chance to visit the narrows which is at the north of the park, after a short hike we arrived at the beginning of the water section, this involve wading through river up to our knees against a strong current. Only me, Carly and George (who took his jeans off for the hike) went in and tried to get as far as we could but saw in the distance people going up to their waist. We weren't properly equipped, other groups had proper footwear and rain gear, we had t-shirts and flip-flops so decided to go back after half an hour, plus we needed to rush back with our car due before 6pm. The drive back was long and tiring, to wake myself up decided to see what speed I could get out of the Nissan Altima on a really long and flat stretch of road, just over 100mph was enough I though, didn't want a fine like another member of ACE got the week before.
