Hiking the South Rim: Monday, March 29th

We had to be out of the campground by midday but didn’t want the pressure of having to rush back from our hike, so decided to hitch up the camper and park it in the Backcountry Lot – this worked out perfectly and put us just a few minutes walk from the bus to Hermits Rest – the point at the western end of the Canyon that is only accessible via the National Park’s bus system.

We got off at Monument Creek Vista and hiked the two, paved and well-trodden, miles to Pima Point, along the side of the rim. We then caught the bus to the end of the line at Hermits Rest, which actually does not give the greatest views in comparison to many we’d already seen and hoped yet to see. We therefore did not spend much time there and hopped back on the bus which took us to Mohave Point.

Dave knew he wanted to get some pictures from Powell Point so we figured we could do a mile hike along the rim, via Hopi Point, to that marker. We realized that this would be an unpaved little trek but figured that would be fine, as it wasn’t very far. Well, it was indeed unpaved, and thanks to all the snow, some of which was melting, it was extremely wet and muddy in places. It also took us over some trodden paths of snow, under over-hanging rocks and very, very close to the edge of the Canyon. I am sure I have another 100 gray hairs, which sprouted after the stress of keeping them away from the edge and encouraging them to walk, not run! It was a great hike though, despite the worry.

The reward of getting to Powell Point was more than worth it for Dave. The views were indeed amazing and Jake literally dragged him away to run for the bus.

We left the National Park and drove down, just over an hour, to the nearby town of Williams where we would stay for the next few days at the Circle Pines KOA. There was great excitement when the kids discovered there was a heated indoor pool with two hot-tubs and a playground.