Day 6 Grand Canyon, Flowers, and Snow

Hot water cooks for breakfast. (We were big on simple meals.) At Mather Campground, at Grand Canyon Village.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:00:14 -0700

elf1
Hot water cooks for breakfast. (We were big on simple meals.) At Mather Campground, at Grand Canyon Village.

Here we are again--looking a little colder than when we went to Havasu Falls.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:02:12 -0700

elf1
Here we are again--looking a little colder than when we went to Havasu Falls.

The trail through Mather Campground to the showers, shuttle stop, Market Plaza, and beyond was a nice little hike, maybe 1/4 mile from our tent to the road. We walked it many times.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:01:41 -0700

elf1
The trail through Mather Campground to the showers, shuttle stop, Market Plaza, and beyond was a nice little hike, maybe 1/4 mile from our tent to the road. We walked it many times.

Predicted high for today, 43; low: 34. 40% chance of thundershowers. Notice that there's no mention of hail or snow.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:26:22 -0700

elf1
Predicted high for today, 43; low: 34. 40% chance of thundershowers. Notice that there's no mention of hail or snow.

The General Store in Grand Canyon Village is huge. But they didn't have a replacement battery for my SLR camera, which had already almost used up 2 batteries. (No elec hookups in the campsit ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:30:41 -0700

elf1
The General Store in Grand Canyon Village is huge. But they didn't have a replacement battery for my SLR camera, which had already almost used up 2 batteries. (No elec hookups in the campsit ...

So we drove out of the park to Tusayan (TOO se yon), the main village about 5 miles outside the park. They didn't have a battery, either. Coming back in through the South Entrance Station, t ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:35:29 -0700

elf1
So we drove out of the park to Tusayan (TOO se yon), the main village about 5 miles outside the park. They didn't have a battery, either. Coming back in through the South Entrance Station, t ...

Back at camp, we started walking to catch the shuttle bus, and then it started hailing/snowing. Our sentences were sprinkled with "I can't believe this!"

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:33:57 -0700

elf1
Back at camp, we started walking to catch the shuttle bus, and then it started hailing/snowing. Our sentences were sprinkled with "I can't believe this!"

You can really see it come down now. Linda practices looking not cold.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:28 -0700

elf1
You can really see it come down now. Linda practices looking not cold.

Many of the paths in the Village area were broad, paved trails through the woods.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:35:07 -0700

elf1
Many of the paths in the Village area were broad, paved trails through the woods.

Linda hangs at the shuttle bus stop.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:24:42 -0700

elf1
Linda hangs at the shuttle bus stop.

A different fiew of the shuttle bus stop. In case you needed one.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:31:25 -0700

elf1
A different fiew of the shuttle bus stop. In case you needed one.

After a transfer, we got to our first shuttle stop along the rim, and the blowing snow obscured parts of the canyon. But the rock formations were gorgeous.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:05:21 -0700

elf1
After a transfer, we got to our first shuttle stop along the rim, and the blowing snow obscured parts of the canyon. But the rock formations were gorgeous.

Do they look better--or deeper-- in portrait mode? I enjoy how the whites of the upper layers (Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap, and Coconino Sandstone) contrast with the reds of the deeper layers ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:09:45 -0700

elf1
Do they look better--or deeper-- in portrait mode? I enjoy how the whites of the upper layers (Kaibab Limestone, Toroweap, and Coconino Sandstone) contrast with the reds of the deeper layers ...

Then the sun came out, and we could see all the way back to Grand Canyon Village further back along the rim.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:23:23 -0700

elf1
Then the sun came out, and we could see all the way back to Grand Canyon Village further back along the rim.

The rim has many viewpoints, like this one, right along the edge. You can look wayyyy out and wayyyy down. They all have railings. Sometimes that doesn't help much.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:10:51 -0700

elf1
The rim has many viewpoints, like this one, right along the edge. You can look wayyyy out and wayyyy down. They all have railings. Sometimes that doesn't help much.

Here's a first glimpse of the most-traveled trail in the park, the Bright Angel Trail, starting at Grand Canyon Village and going across the canyon face to the right, then sashaying left and ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:56:56 -0700

elf1
Here's a first glimpse of the most-traveled trail in the park, the Bright Angel Trail, starting at Grand Canyon Village and going across the canyon face to the right, then sashaying left and ...

Then snow flurries would blow through and limit our views briefly. But every change made the canyon look like a different place!

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:56:05 -0700

elf1
Then snow flurries would blow through and limit our views briefly. But every change made the canyon look like a different place!

A composite showing the Bright Angel Trail from Grand Canyon Village all the way out past Indian Garden and to the edge of the Plateau--after that, it drops another 1000 feet or more. Check ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:04:12 -0700

elf1
A composite showing the Bright Angel Trail from Grand Canyon Village all the way out past Indian Garden and to the edge of the Plateau--after that, it drops another 1000 feet or more. Check ...

Close-up of the first part of Bright Angel Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:09:23 -0700

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Close-up of the first part of Bright Angel Trail.

Close-up of the next part of Bright Angel Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:21:42 -0700

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Close-up of the next part of Bright Angel Trail.

Close-up of the middle part of Bright Angel Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:08:09 -0700

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Close-up of the middle part of Bright Angel Trail.

Close-up of real switchbacks on Bright Angel Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:06:44 -0700

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Close-up of real switchbacks on Bright Angel Trail.

Bright Angel Trail out to the edge of the lower plateau.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:22:56 -0700

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Bright Angel Trail out to the edge of the lower plateau.

Looking out beyond the end of Bright Angel Trail to the canyon and more snow.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:55:27 -0700

elf1
Looking out beyond the end of Bright Angel Trail to the canyon and more snow.

The clouds were occasionally lovely. Again, the contrast of white vs red stone.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:54:46 -0700

elf1
The clouds were occasionally lovely. Again, the contrast of white vs red stone.

The snow sometimes obscured branches of the Canyon.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:54:14 -0700

elf1
The snow sometimes obscured branches of the Canyon.

A view of El Tovar, the big lodge in Grand Canyon Village. It's not exactly on the edge of the cliffs--there's lawn and a path and a railing.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:04:58 -0700

elf1
A view of El Tovar, the big lodge in Grand Canyon Village. It's not exactly on the edge of the cliffs--there's lawn and a path and a railing.

Very close photo of the first downslope of the Bright Angel Trail, where you go through a little tunnel in an outcropping. I've been down that part of the trail (not this trip).

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:53:45 -0700

elf1
Very close photo of the first downslope of the Bright Angel Trail, where you go through a little tunnel in an outcropping. I've been down that part of the trail (not this trip).

Another telephoto of Bright Angel Trail, showing steps.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:53:15 -0700

elf1
Another telephoto of Bright Angel Trail, showing steps.

There's an actual outhouse about every one and 1/4 miles along the Bright Angel Trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:52:47 -0700

elf1
There's an actual outhouse about every one and 1/4 miles along the Bright Angel Trail.

Bright Angel Trail again.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:52:16 -0700

elf1
Bright Angel Trail again.

With the skies overcast, the rocks seemed dark, not so red.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:51:39 -0700

elf1
With the skies overcast, the rocks seemed dark, not so red.

Linda climbs the stairs away from one of the overlooks.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:51:14 -0700

elf1
Linda climbs the stairs away from one of the overlooks.

Another view of the canyon. I took no notes. Bad photographer.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:50:46 -0700

elf1
Another view of the canyon. I took no notes. Bad photographer.

Linda waves from the upper overlook.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:03:09 -0700

elf1
Linda waves from the upper overlook.

A view of the edge of the plateau and just barely Indian garden in the lower right corner.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:50:24 -0700

elf1
A view of the edge of the plateau and just barely Indian garden in the lower right corner.

Top Center: Bright Angel Canyon, then the trail, then Indian Garden in the center again. So-called because the Havasupai gardened there for hundreds of years until the Park Service kicked th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:49:51 -0700

elf1
Top Center: Bright Angel Canyon, then the trail, then Indian Garden in the center again. So-called because the Havasupai gardened there for hundreds of years until the Park Service kicked th ...

Instead of taking the shuttle along the Rim Trail, the weather turned so nice that we walked. We were lucky to have tons of wildflowers. This is, I believe, bladderpod (lesquerella intermedi ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:02:35 -0700

elf1
Instead of taking the shuttle along the Rim Trail, the weather turned so nice that we walked. We were lucky to have tons of wildflowers. This is, I believe, bladderpod (lesquerella intermedi ...

Fleabane (erigeron concinnus). All of these plant IDs are my best guesses.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:07:12 -0700

elf1
Fleabane (erigeron concinnus). All of these plant IDs are my best guesses.

What I believe to be Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) bloomed everywhere. I took dozens of photos in different locations. They were so nice to pose for me.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:49:20 -0700

elf1
What I believe to be Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) bloomed everywhere. I took dozens of photos in different locations. They were so nice to pose for me.

Bladderpod again, with more blooms. (lesquerella intermedia)

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:11:43 -0700

elf1
Bladderpod again, with more blooms. (lesquerella intermedia)

The rim trail is paved, but barely wide enough for two people. And the only thing separating you from a long plunge is a low border of rocks. Here, it's not too bad, but in some places--

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:49:05 -0700

elf1
The rim trail is paved, but barely wide enough for two people. And the only thing separating you from a long plunge is a low border of rocks. Here, it's not too bad, but in some places--

The rocks take such interesting shapes.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:48:28 -0700

elf1
The rocks take such interesting shapes.

Yellow flowers, unidentified so far, and Mr. Ant Hills.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:01:00 -0700

elf1
Yellow flowers, unidentified so far, and Mr. Ant Hills.

Unidentified white flower on a shrub.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:59:07 -0700

elf1
Unidentified white flower on a shrub.

Linda admires the view. We both stood and just looked for eons. The place cannot be done justice in photos.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:46:48 -0700

elf1
Linda admires the view. We both stood and just looked for eons. The place cannot be done justice in photos.

Linda ponders the view while the photographer sneaks up on the informational sign.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:47:13 -0700

elf1
Linda ponders the view while the photographer sneaks up on the informational sign.

The park is laced with faults, and water tends to follow the nonconformities in the earth, like the Bright Angel Fault (or the Havasu fault, which we hiked into earlier in the week, with for ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:54 -0700

elf1
The park is laced with faults, and water tends to follow the nonconformities in the earth, like the Bright Angel Fault (or the Havasu fault, which we hiked into earlier in the week, with for ...

This sign was supposed to help me identify my photos later. Hah.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:35:41 -0700

elf1
This sign was supposed to help me identify my photos later. Hah.

Barely visible at top left: the bright green Lodge roof on the North Rim. The canyon is huge! The white Permian limestone and sandstone gives way to the sloping Hermit Shale (with some veget ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:58:51 -0700

elf1
Barely visible at top left: the bright green Lodge roof on the North Rim. The canyon is huge! The white Permian limestone and sandstone gives way to the sloping Hermit Shale (with some veget ...

Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa). As they fade, they turn lilac and droop.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:18:14 -0700

elf1
Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa). As they fade, they turn lilac and droop.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) in full bloom.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:10:08 -0700

elf1
Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) in full bloom.

Mr. Alien about to have a really bad accident that ends in "aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (thud)."

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:24:23 -0700

elf1
Mr. Alien about to have a really bad accident that ends in "aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (thud)."

Probably Firecracker Penstemon (penstemon eatoni).

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:18:30 -0700

elf1
Probably Firecracker Penstemon (penstemon eatoni).

Linda strolling along the rim trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:47:57 -0700

elf1
Linda strolling along the rim trail.

Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) again.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:23:37 -0700

elf1
Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) again.

Most of the rim trail and viewpoints are closed through late this year while they completely redo the road. So fully half the road, beyond Hopi Point, was off limits to us. As it turns out, ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:46:34 -0700

elf1
Most of the rim trail and viewpoints are closed through late this year while they completely redo the road. So fully half the road, beyond Hopi Point, was off limits to us. As it turns out, ...

The desert flora made for more nice views.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:45:58 -0700

elf1
The desert flora made for more nice views.

The rim trail is badly in need of repairs in many places.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:45:32 -0700

elf1
The rim trail is badly in need of repairs in many places.

Here, part of the rim trail apparently took a long trip ending in "aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (thud)." You can see that you're living on the edge with no protection. Don't look down.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:30:59 -0700

elf1
Here, part of the rim trail apparently took a long trip ending in "aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (thud)." You can see that you're living on the edge with no protection. Don't look down.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:45:09 -0700

elf1
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Even the conifers look happy and healthy.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:16:17 -0700

elf1
Even the conifers look happy and healthy.

Probably a Utah Juniper.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:17:36 -0700

elf1
Probably a Utah Juniper.

The shuttle buses came by every 15 minutes. They're powered by natural gas.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:58:21 -0700

elf1
The shuttle buses came by every 15 minutes. They're powered by natural gas.

Some of the construction work along Hermit Road.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:59:40 -0700

elf1
Some of the construction work along Hermit Road.

The Orphan Mine. Mined uranium.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:20:09 -0700

elf1
The Orphan Mine. Mined uranium.

Probably Spreading Phlox.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:19:55 -0700

elf1
Probably Spreading Phlox.

Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) yet again.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:19:32 -0700

elf1
Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) yet again.

The walkways to lookout points sometimes ran across very narrow rock bridges. Some were too much for me.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:16:00 -0700

elf1
The walkways to lookout points sometimes ran across very narrow rock bridges. Some were too much for me.

Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) a penultimate time

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:20:27 -0700

elf1
Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) a penultimate time

The canyon goes on and on

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:15:14 -0700

elf1
The canyon goes on and on

The red stone in the upper foreground layers is 300-500 million years old; the broad white of Bright Angel Shale and Tapeats Sandstone is 530-545 million years old.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:19:13 -0700

elf1
The red stone in the upper foreground layers is 300-500 million years old; the broad white of Bright Angel Shale and Tapeats Sandstone is 530-545 million years old.

Orphan Mine again. How'd you like to work out of a hole in the side of a cliff?

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:14:51 -0700

elf1
Orphan Mine again. How'd you like to work out of a hole in the side of a cliff?

Ridges within the canyon are shaped by the type of rock and flows of water.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:14:26 -0700

elf1
Ridges within the canyon are shaped by the type of rock and flows of water.

More great rocks.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:13:56 -0700

elf1
More great rocks.

I think there's a viewpoint on the top of that far point--if the photo is expanded, you can just barely see people standing there.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:13:24 -0700

elf1
I think there's a viewpoint on the top of that far point--if the photo is expanded, you can just barely see people standing there.

I found the layers within layers of rock intriguing.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:04:02 -0700

elf1
I found the layers within layers of rock intriguing.

Closeup of one of the rock walls.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:13:03 -0700

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Closeup of one of the rock walls.

It's starting to get cold again. I didn't bring my down jacket on the rim trip.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:12:30 -0700

elf1
It's starting to get cold again. I didn't bring my down jacket on the rim trip.

Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) one last time.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:18:52 -0700

elf1
Thickleaf Penstemon (penstemon pachyphyllus) one last time.

The parking lot of the last viewpoint that we could get to. Because the road is closed off to regular traffic, it's empty. Try that trick again in another year.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:12:10 -0700

elf1
The parking lot of the last viewpoint that we could get to. Because the road is closed off to regular traffic, it's empty. Try that trick again in another year.

And now it's really cold and snow/hailing again.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:11:14 -0700

elf1
And now it's really cold and snow/hailing again.

Canyon? What canyon?

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:08:22 -0700

elf1
Canyon? What canyon?

At just about our last viewpoint, we can finally see the Colorado River far below.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:17:18 -0700

elf1
At just about our last viewpoint, we can finally see the Colorado River far below.

So many rocks to erode, so little time. Geologically speaking. Or not.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:22:04 -0700

elf1
So many rocks to erode, so little time. Geologically speaking. Or not.

From some viewpoints, you can really see down a long way.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:16:57 -0700

elf1
From some viewpoints, you can really see down a long way.

The Colorado River got its name because its water was so red. Here, it's green; nowadays it runs red (eroding land and carrying away the silt) only when the various dams are letting water ou ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:57:59 -0700

elf1
The Colorado River got its name because its water was so red. Here, it's green; nowadays it runs red (eroding land and carrying away the silt) only when the various dams are letting water ou ...

The Colorado River, glimpsed here again, carved only part of the Grand Canyon. Havasu Creek, Bright Angel Creek, and others contributed to the vast expanse of interconnected canyons that we ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:00:32 -0700

elf1
The Colorado River, glimpsed here again, carved only part of the Grand Canyon. Havasu Creek, Bright Angel Creek, and others contributed to the vast expanse of interconnected canyons that we ...

We huddle together in the icy wind, with the canyon nearly invisible, waiting for the shuttle to pull around.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:57:37 -0700

elf1
We huddle together in the icy wind, with the canyon nearly invisible, waiting for the shuttle to pull around.

We sit and wait for the shuttle to leave, and it starts really snowing/hailing. Here's the ground when we first sit down...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:57:18 -0700

elf1
We sit and wait for the shuttle to leave, and it starts really snowing/hailing. Here's the ground when we first sit down...

And here's the ground just a few minutes later, before the shuttle pulls out. From this point, no one wanted to be outside the bus at all.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:03:41 -0700

elf1
And here's the ground just a few minutes later, before the shuttle pulls out. From this point, no one wanted to be outside the bus at all.

But we had to walk from the shuttle stop back to our campground. Linda hustles along.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:41 -0700

elf1
But we had to walk from the shuttle stop back to our campground. Linda hustles along.

The trail in Mather Campground looks a little different than it did earlier in teh morning.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:35:19 -0700

elf1
The trail in Mather Campground looks a little different than it did earlier in teh morning.

All the little spring plants had to endure weather of the "like I've never seen this late in May in the 20 years I've lived here" sort.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:10 -0700

elf1
All the little spring plants had to endure weather of the "like I've never seen this late in May in the 20 years I've lived here" sort.

Snow and grass.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:33:09 -0700

elf1
Snow and grass.

Maybe paintbrushes. And snow.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:30:21 -0700

elf1
Maybe paintbrushes. And snow.

The trail is only partly obscured by blowing snow.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:25:49 -0700

elf1
The trail is only partly obscured by blowing snow.

Linda made it to the campground much faster than I did but, aha! I have the car keys.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:30:04 -0700

elf1
Linda made it to the campground much faster than I did but, aha! I have the car keys.

Our tent looks a little different from earlier, too.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:32:34 -0700

elf1
Our tent looks a little different from earlier, too.

We drive to the deli, eat inside, and when we come out, it's really coming down.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:28:07 -0700

elf1
We drive to the deli, eat inside, and when we come out, it's really coming down.