Williams, AZ April 25th – April 30th

 

Our first view of the Grand Canyon, wow!

Hiked a short ways down Hermits Rest, altitude got the better of us.

Bright Angel trail, the mules travel on this one and one that you could hike to the bottom. The hike to Plateau Point is 6 miles one way with an elevation change of 3,000 feet. They do not recommend trying to hike from the rim to the river and back again in the same day.

Sunset at Lupin overlook, there were many couples out there taking wedding photographs. We did not make it to watch a sunrise but hopefully next trip.

Walnut Canyon National Monument, the island trail is just under a mile with a 185 foot climb passing by 25 cliff dwellings rooms.  While walking around the Island you are able to see many more dwellings across the canyon.

Here is one of the cliff dwellings. They would build them under the overhangs for added protection.

Sunset Crater Volcano, this is our first lava field to explore, nothing like we imagined, we looked at the pictures on line and weren’t to excited to go but we had to stop once we saw it in person, it was pretty amazing.

Wukoki Pueblo, on the left was their patio, how awesome would that be.  In the distance (minus the clouds) you could see the San Francisco mountains. There is also a great view of the Painted Desert.

Wupatki, came about 100 years after the volcano, there are many ruins in the area. They are all built on the higher points of land. Some people say it was for protection others think it was so they could be easier seen by traveling tribes.

Boyton Canyon – Vortex, 6 miles round trip with about a 800’ elevation change.  There are a few different vortex sites around Sedona.

Bell Rock, another hike of ours.

Cathedral Rock, along Bell Rock, nice hiking  paths in this area. even this time of year the afternoons get hot and dusty, you need to carry plenty of water.

Taking in some more of the Grand Canyon. We could sit there and look at it all day long.

Watch Tower is interesting and has some amazing views.

View from the watch tower.

Karen trying to blend in inside the Watch Tower.

Colorado River winding its way through the Grand Canyon. We took so many pictures of the canyon there is just no way to show them all.  Rafting down the Colorado River through the Canyon is still on our bucket list.