Yosemite
On my way to the canyons i feel lucky to Enjoy Yosemite and Tioga Pass (3000m!) before they close it down for the winter.
I spent my morning riding off-road from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. This section is in Indian territory and i could see wild horses all around.
Grand Canyon
Midday light is not good but the Grand Canyon never disappoints!
The Grand Canyon is not crowded end of October but still, I was looking for something less touristy. And I found it! Dirt road on Navajo Land again, this time a permit is needed. This is the Little Colorado, so I guess that makes it the “Little Canyon” but what a nice surprise to discover this spectacular view at the end of the trail, with no human soul seen in the last 2 hours. Priceless!
I spent a wonderful evening and morning right by the canyon. at least 1 hour or 2 are magical at sunset and sunrise : the colors change, one cliff or rock is dark one minute and brightly lightened the next. Shapes appear, others disappear, because excess of light has as much impact as a lack of it. and there is nothing to distract you from this show put on by mother nature: the silence is remarkable with Not a road in the far distance, not a plane, not even an artificial light, nothing. so Precious.
Back on the trail, still in Navajo Land, this time heading north. Good thing that I have a detailed map on the GPS because there is maze of small trails, without any direction signs nor is there anyone to who I could ask for direction. But I would not mind getting lost when in company of these beautiful horses. Skinny but fierce!
Grand Canyon North Rim
I made it to the Grand Canyon North Rim at mid afternoon. The Campground is full and I didn’t feel like being in a crowd anyway. I asked a ranger about a promising name i saw on the map: “Point Sublime”. She says it’s worth it but it’s a 2-hour drive and a 4x4 high clearance is recommended. I went to another office to get my Backcountry permit. Good news it looks like I’ll be the only one at that 2-site camp. The Ranger confirms the 2-hour drive, so I should make it just before sunset. I arrived very happy to Sublime Point, first because I did it in 45 minutes and more importantly because the spot is sublime indeed, at least at this magical hour.
I felt so serene in my camping spot, in front of such a view, with no one around. in full transparency there is always another side to those “Insta moments”: Yes the view is heavenly but the reality is also having to go back to your tent at 7pm because it’s too cold and no fires are allowed. All worth it :)
The next morning I get up early, excited to see the rays of light slowly uncovering the cliffs of the canyon.
At some point i hear a car and i later meat dan who left super early this morning to catch the sunrise as he's an amateur photographer too. he offers to prepare coffee from his well equipped car and we enjoy the plays of light and great conversation for a couple of hours.
Light plays with our imagination: is it the statue of a sentinel in the middle of that cliff?
Dan
Last pictures of the north rim of the grand canyon, from the cape royal view point on the east side of the canyon.
Bryce canyon
I love Bryce canyon and this new visit Brings back great memories from many years ago.
This is a place of refinement, not necessarily of scale. Everything is in the details and the nuances of colors. Arches, windows, doors, of some imaginary abandoned castle carved on a cliff.
This is a place of refinement, not necessarily of scale. Everything is in the details and the nuances of colors. Arches, windows, doors, of some imaginary abandoned castle carved on a cliff.
Time to move on and head back home.
