SUTTON Travels: August 2021

31 August 2021

Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

After arriving, we walked along the South Rim with our friends who hadn't seen the park before.

It was an incredibly hot day despite the date of 20 October 1995. We decided to view the canyon from a plane. The photos don't do the experience justice.

The size is incredible-- a mile deep and 18 miles wide at points. It's hard to see the ribbon of the Colorado River below.

We didn't see a lot of wildlife.

Park notes

It's an incredibly busy park so to stay in the park requires advanced booking.

It is possible to camp in the park.

You can arrive by train-see previous post about the Grand Canyon Railway.

Access can vary depending on the time of year.

There are a lot of trails down into the canyon.

Flyover tours include planes and helicopters

More information at the website

If hiking in the canyon, the trails can be steep so hiking shoes or boots and trekking poles are helpful. Travel gear note.

You might like this book if you are exploring National Parks

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Google Map of Grand Canyon National Park

30 August 2021

Grand Canyon Railway Arizona

All aboard for the trip from Williams Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Our photos are from 30 August 1997.

Looking above the cars as we cross the high desert.

And a look out the window on a curve.

A wild west show is part of the entertainment.

A final look at a classic locomotive.

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Notes

The history of the Grand Canyon Railway dates to 17 September 1901.

The 65 mile route cost $3.95

Supplies for building Grand Canyon Village were delivered by train.

The popularity of automobiles ended train service in 1968.

But, passenger service resumed 17 September 1989.

Link to train website

29 August 2021

Steamboat Springs Colorado

Steamboat Springs is a quiet Colorado city worth a visit if you enjoy hikes or biking along a river where you can see and smell the hot springs.

Here's a short video of the bubbling springs to help you get a sense of what you would see along the banks of the Yampa River. You'll miss the Sulphur smell until technology improves to record that.

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Pike's Peak Colorado

Pike's Peak is situated on land previously inhabited by the Ute tribe. It's height at 14,115 feet makes it simply outstanding. The Ute people called it Tava (Sun Mountain).

A European named Zebulon Pike headed up the mountain some 200 years ago thus the current name, Pike's Peak.

I began my recent drive up the mountain from the Magnuson hotel in Manitou Springs, which I can easily recommend as a good place to stay.

I paid a $15 fee to use the highway to the top. I was warned to turn off my air conditioning by a ranger who pointed to an unhappy group waiting on the steam to subside from their SUV.

It's a winding road to the top and many turns have no guard rails so, good to keep your eyes on the road. There are turnouts for people who want a break. I decided to stop later and headed for a spot at the top.

There is a new visitor center and portable toilets nearby.

The parking area is dirt surrounded by rocks and boulders but there's a path from one side to the other.

Some arrive by way of the Cog railroad. I was going to take that trip but after walking around the top, I decided against another trip up the mountain. The first cog railway was completed in 1891. You can board this in Manitou Springs.

Although there were a lot of cars in the parking area, it seems someone was always leaving. I did not see backed up traffic when I was there 22 August, 2021.

After walking about and taking a few photos, I headed back down the mountain. The good advice was to use low gear to avoid burning out your breaks. After a few thousand feet, there's a mandatory break check. I pulled over for about 20 minutes and drove mostly in first or second gear.

I pulled over a few times to let the speeders zip ahead in their sports cars. For the most part, the drivers were cautious and there were no hassles with my nine-year-old car.

Learn more at the Pike's Peak website

Here's a brief YouTube video of the Cog Railway cars descending the mountain.

28 August 2021

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is so named because of the dark canyon walls.

I entered the south rim and hiked a number of off-road trails to various points overlooking the Gunnison River that winds a path far below the rim.

This park is new--established as a park in 1999.

Most of the rim trails are easy going.

The view named the painted wall because of the colors and figures changes color according to the sunlight. The photo below illustrates the immense height of this old wall compared to famous tall structures.