Going for the Summer

We finally left Happy Trails on Wednesday Morning, June 1 for our summer travels. The weather was still under 100, but we wanted to get away. Got to DeMotte campground on Wednesday afternoon. This is a NF Campground about 4 miles outside the Grand Canyon North Rim Park, no vacancies in the campground in the park. That’s 4 miles outside the gate, it’s another 12 miles to the actually park area.

That afternoon we drove over to the East Rim View Pt.

It was cloudy, but still the view was great. We were just out checking the area in case we could find a good spot to dry camp for free. (in DeMotte’s it’s dry camping, for a fee) What a difference in temp! It was close to 100 in Surprise, and 334 miles north still in AZ, the high was 74 with the low at 28.

Thursday we decided to do some jeep touring to get used to the altitude change. Just on dirt roads without even going into 4 wheel drive we were able to see a part of the rim in the Kaibab Forest.

The above shot is a panoramic view of Fire View Pt.

Below, Bob is looking out over Sowats View Pt.

On Friday we hiked the North Kaibab Trail down to Roaring Springs and Back. That’s only around 10 miles, but with an elevation change of 3,000 ft. As a first hike of the season (I didn’t do even one hike this winter), it was tough. I was talking myself into one foot in front of the other by the time we climbed back up. Yes, we went downhill first, then all the way back up, there wasn’t an elevator. The views were worth all the pain.

There were tunnels to go through and bridges to cross.

But at the end, we got the view of Roaring Springs. This is the water supply for all of the Grand Canyon.

On Saturday morning we traveled to Kanab, UT for one night with electricity and phone. Caught up on emails and washed clothes. Did a little grocery shopping and had a tire on the jeep repaired. Picked up a staple somewhere. We also drove up to the Ranger Station that pulls the lotto for “The Wave” to check out camping and procedures.

So, on Sunday, we filled up with gas and headed to dry camp at the Ranger Station on BLM land awaiting the possibility of getting into “The Wave” Had to put in our application by 9:00 AM and await the drawing. They actually assign numbers and then draw the numbers up to 10 people. We only had 33 wanting the 10 spaces for Monday Morning. We didn’t get it for Monday, so we went ahead and got a permit for the South Coyote Buttes (Cottonwood Cove TH). The jeep really got a workout. Even 4 wheel drive low to get out of the deep sand. 20 miles on gravel roads and then 11 more in sand and rock needing 4 wheel drive got us to the following and of course, it was well worth it.

Pretty desert flowers.

Did I say anything about the deep sand we had to hike through.

After South Coyote Butte, we made it to Paw Hole. This was on the way back but more 4 wheel drive with deep sand holes. It was only passable down hill. More of the beautiful cliff formations. If “The Wave” is better than South Coyote, I can’t wait, I hope we win the lotto.

OK, now it’s Monday morning at 9:00 am. We’re signing up today for hiking “The Wave” on Tuesday. YEA!!!!! We won, we’re 2 of the lucky 10 to hike on Tuesday. So what do we do on Monday, well, the Wire Pass which is also the trail head for the Wave sounds great. So we head out. It’s 1.7 miles to the first slot canyons and then it’s only fantastic, the colors and the formations just really flow. As you look at these pictures, just imagine the water flowing through these canyons and creating them.

Well, like I said before, on Tuesday, we headed for “The Wave” Will it measure up to the previous formations. Well, you’ll see for yourself.

The guy who took this picture was from Germany and an artist, I guess that’s why we’re slanted.

I’m in some of these pictures just to give you a size respective. Not because I like any of the pictures of me.

To say the least, we’ve had to hike to get to all of these great places so in the last 3 days, we’ve hiked approx. 20 miles and they weren’t easy hikes, in sand and up and down over slip rock. Really enjoyed, but my feet hurt.