Third Day At The Grand Canyon

4 October 2014

Weather: 23C and Sunny

We had an even earlier start this morning at 5:30am to get ready and make our way to Mather Point for sunrise.  I was disappointed with the sunrises and sunsets as it doesn't seem to change the colour of the Canyon.  It appears to create shadows or remove them.

Me at Mather Point during a sunrise

Sunrise at Mather Point

Mather Point at Sunrise

We had breakfast at the Yavapai Canyon Cafe then got the bus to Hermits Transfer to start the Bright Angel Trail.  We walked for about one hour as they say it takes double the time to return.  We had wished to walk further and if we ever get to return, plan to walk more or do the mule ride to the bottom. 

Justin on the Bright Angel Trail

Bright Angel Trail

Turkey Vulture seen from Bright Angel Trail

We had the decided to turn back so we could go to the Kolb Studio before the Condor talk.  We also took the opportunity to have peanut butter and espresso ice-creams.  

Kolb Studio seen from Bright Angel Trail

We attended the Ranger led activity – Condors, at the Lookout Studio as well as taking time to visit the studio.

Condor Talk near Lookout Studio

Inside Lookout Studio

Squirrel wanting its photo taken at Lookout Studio

Then we took the bus to Hermits Rest and onto Pima Point for more photos of the Canyon. 

Grand Canyon from Pima Point

Then we headed back to the Arizona Room Restaurant at Bright Angel Lodge.  Here we had lunch, mine was the Black Bean Soup and Justin had the Angus Burger.

Bright Angel Lodge

After lunch we got the bus back to the Yavapai Lodge where we checked our emails.  Once we had our technology hit we went in search of woodpeckers at McKee Amphitheatre.  We saw some birds tapping at the trees but they were smaller than the one seen the previous day.  We also say a chipmunk and a rabbit before walking to our room for a little relaxation before dinner.

Maybe a Downy Woodpecker

Rabbit

We had dinner at the Yavapai Canyon Café, I had the Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce and Justin had the Chicken Pot Pie.  With full stomachs we retired to our room for the evening.