Category: Hiking

Fall Colors in Oak Creek Canyon

Fall (or autumn, if you prefer) is over in northern Arizona. Peak fall colors started high on the peaks back in September and have been working their way down to lower elevations. The peak moved through Oak Creek Canyon in mid November.

The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.
The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.

A few years ago and saw this little guy sitting at the base of the tree on the North Wilson Trail. He was still there on this year’s hike but was starting to lean over a bit so we set him upright. Never know what you’ll find on a hike.

Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.sshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.

Edit 12/15/2024: Fixed some typos.

Wildflowers IV

We continue to enjoy seeing wildflowers on our hikes in northern Arizona–although the extended dry period has reduced the numbers. Recently we hiked the Arizona Trail between Aspen Corner and Bismark Lake.

Wildflowers seen along the Arizona Trail between Aspen Corner and Bismark Lake.
Wildflowers seen along the Arizona Trail between Aspen Corner and Bismark Lake.

As before, Ā identification of the flowers was done via an iPhone app and reverse image lookup. There may be errors.

Wildflowers III

We continue to see many wildflowers on our hikes in northern Arizona. This week we hiked the Kachina Trail on the San Francisco Peaks and the Kelly Canyon Trail south of Flagstaff.

Wildflowers seen along the Kachina Trail on the San Francisco Peaks.
Wildflowers seen along the Kachina Trail on the San Francisco Peaks.
Wildflowers along the Kelly Canyon Trail south of Flagstaff.
Wildflowers along the Kelly Canyon Trail south of Flagstaff.

Identification of the flowers was done via an iPhone app and reverse image lookup. There may be errors.

Spring Wildflowers in Northern Arizona

We had a very wet winter and the months of May and June have had above average rainfall. This has probably helped to bring about early and plentiful blooms of wildflowers across the area.

Here are some photos of just some of the many wildflowers we have seen so far this.

Rocky Mountain Iris with a sphinx moth.
Rocky Mountain Iris with a sphinx moth.
Rocky Mountain Iris.
Rocky Mountain Iris.

In early June we were hiking along the Arizona Trail south of Lake Mary and encountered numerous clusters of Rocky Mountain Iris. While trying to get a photo of one flower a sphinx moth jumped into the frame. What great luck! Iris season has peaked at these elevations but is probably still going strong in the higher elevations.

White Lupine.
White Lupine.
Lupine.
Lupine.

In mid June we hiked along the Highland Trail south of Fort Tuthill near Flagstaff. There were a large variety of flowers but I was most impressed with the large clusters of Lupine. Most interesting was this White Lupine. I don’t recall every seeing this variety before and we saw only a few.

Groundsel.
Groundsel.
Manyflowered Stoneseed.
Manyflowered Stoneseed.

Other flowers included Groundsel and Manyflowered Stoneseed.

Wildflower identification was done with the built-in app on an iPhone.

Full Moon at Grand Canyon

There was a full Moon this past weekend (05 February 2023) and we decided it would be fun to spend a few days at Grand Canyon and do some photography and hiking.

The nearly-full Moon rises above the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
The nearly-full Moon rises above the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

We arrived in the early afternoon at the East Entrance to avoid the possible long lines at the more popular South Entrance. Our first stop was at Desert View because I wanted to take some updated photos of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower. First attempts were with a 24mm wide angle but it was not wide enough. So, back to the car to get the 17ā€“35mm ultra-wide lens.

Upward view of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Upward view of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Interior artwork in the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Interior artwork in the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.

For the Moonrise we went to the Visitors Center parking area and walked along the Rim Trail to capture the nearly-full Moon rising over the North Rim. Unfortunately, distant high clouds prevented seeing the Moon until it was well above the horizon. No matter, it was still very nice. While waiting for the Moon, I shot photos of hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail near the Ooh-Aah Viewpoint with the late afternoon sun illuminating the rock faces.

Vishnu Temple in the distance behind Yaki Point, Grand Canyon.
Vishnu Temple in the distance behind Yaki Point, Grand Canyon.
Hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon.
Hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon.
Testing the new Nikon lens at Grand Canyon.
Testing the new Nikon lens at Grand Canyon.

The following day also included a photoshoot of the rising Moon but we had plenty of time before that and found ourselves hiking down Bright Angel Trail. The trail was covered in packed snow and foot traction was helpful. We opted to only hike down as far as 1Ā½ Mile Rest House before returning. I didn’t time the descent but the return ascent was 57 minutes. Not too bad for 1.5 miles and 1120′ vertical gain.

Snow covers the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon.
Snow covers the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon.

The Moonrise photography went well with the Moon rising in the notch between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in the Canyon.

The full Moon rises between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in Grand Canyon.
The full Moon rises between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in Grand Canyon.
Early morning sun illuminates the Tower of Set and Horus Temple as seen from Hopi Point, Grand Canyon.
Early morning sun illuminates the Tower of Set and Horus Temple as seen from Hopi Point, Grand Canyon.

The following morning we arose early to see the sunrise from Hopi Point. With the passage of a weak cold front during the night I was hoping for some dramatic clouds. Nope. Nothing. Clear skies but there was the setting Moon in the west. As a consolation I got early morning light on the Tower of Set and Horus Temple.