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Day 2 Grand Canyon Tanner/Beamer Trail

Looking east down the Beamer Trail to the Cliffs of the Palisades.

Palisades Creek to Tanner Rapids

Distance 4.7 km, 10 m elevation gain/loss, 1 hrs 55 min.

I woke up about 7:30am, somewhere during the night it became a certainty that we would not be trying to make it to the confluence of the Little Colorado River, so there was no rush to get an early start to the day. I wandered around the area near the campsite and took pictures of the morning light.

Red clouds over Comanche Point.

I ate breakfast at 8:35 am, Weetabix with dried blueberries and banana chips, plus a coffee. Siobhan arose and ate at 9:10 am. We slowly tidied up the campsite.

Breakfast of champions.
Siobhan having breakfast, with Chuar Lava Hill in the background.
Siobhan after breakfast, the camp looking a little messsy.
Sunrise on Temple Butte.
Sediment at the bottom of the bucket.

We were all packed up at 10:45 am.

Pack already to go.

Despite being tired, Siobhan was in excellent spirits, so we spent an hour without packs exploring up Palisades Canyon. I tried to contain myself, but I pointed out a number of geological features to Siobhan. I have to be nice to my hiking partners and not overdue it talking about rocks.

There are two round “plugs” of different material in the cliff face, I do not know what they represent.
Standing in Palisades Creek, looking west, there are cliffs of Cardenas Basalt.
View looking east, this is Tapeats Sandstone rising up from the canyon. Yesterday we saw that Tapeats Sandstone was above the Cardenas Basalt, now here they are at the same height. This indicates that the creek is a fault, the Palisades Fault, with the west side up thrown about 300 m (1000 ft)
View to the north up Lava Creek, Lava Butte on the left, Chuar Lava Hill on the right.
Close up of Chuar Lava Hill on the east side of Lava Creek, shows the contact point between the Cardenas Basalt and Tapeats Sanstone, this is a continuation of the Palisades Fault extending from the Palisades Canyon, where we are exploring. For scale, there is a blue kayak in the river on the bottom left.
A view up river, east, Temple Butte on the left. The dark cliffs on the right are topped by slopping green shale of the Bright Angel Shale, indicating that the cliffs are Tapeats Sandstone. These cliffs are only a few tens of metres above the river. If you remember the photo from Day 1 that I labeled, the Tapeats was high above the river, at an elevation of 1524 m, just a bit lower than than the Temple Butte, now they are at 820 m, just above river lever, a difference of about 700 m. This drop occurs over the Kaibab Monocline, and indicates the power of time to move and shift the earth dramatically.

We started to head west back to Tanner Rapids at 11:55 am.

Rambunctious energy to start the hike.
Looks like the skull of a T-Rex, but is weathered sandstone.

The rafters who we saw camped the night before, got started just after we did, so we lingered at the beach area and watched a few solo kayakers float through the rapids then down the river. We waved at the people in a large inflatable raft, and they actually came over to chat. The river guide remarked that we were a long way away from anywhere. We told him we were all good, and it was part of our itinerary. He then offered us a ride back to Tanner Rapids, we did decline, maybe we should have hitched a ride….

Once of the rafts heading down the river.

We took a few minutes to clean up the beach. There were some old fuel canisters, pop cans and other garbage that we collected in a garbage bag that we carried for the remainder of the trip.

We headed back the way we had come yesterday, so it was a very straightforward hike. When going down the cliffs we crossed along the way, it became apparent that Siobhan’s legs were very sore.

Our footsteps from yesterday still prominent in the sand.
In places the trail is hugs tight to the cliffs and is very narrow.
The facial expression says it all.
But still smiling.

We found some animal tracks in the sand, that appeared to be of a small cat, I thought that they looked similar to tracks I had seen back home in the snow, left by a lynx, so here in the canyon it would a smaller cousin, the bobcat.

Bobcat tracks in the sand.

The trail is very easy to follow, but despite being short, it had a lot of variation which made for a fun days hiking.

The trail surface varies from sand to hard packed to rocky.
The Dox Sandstone is very soft and crumbly, makes for a nice walking surface.
Siobhan climbing a cliff of Dox Sandstone.
We are almost done, the cliff in the distance is the Tanner Wash. The trail hugs the cliff face, it is a bit of a drop to the river, but the trail is quite wide, and the footing is good.
Siobhan still looking positive, looking in the distance are the cliffs that were above our campsite last night.
Almost back to Tanner Rapids, it is pretty cloudy out, but the temperature was nice.
A little bit of scrambling through the Dox Sandstone.
Trail leading to the Tanner Rapids.
Siobhan taking in the Tanner Grabben.
The final push
Tanner Rapids, with the Tanner Grabben on the north side.

We arrived back at Tanner Rapids in under two hours. Lunch was pita bread, salami and cream cheese. We use cream cheese when hiking as it does not have to be refrigerated, so it lasts longer than hard cheese.

Well earned lunch.

We set the tent up, and Siobhan got out her homework. Siobhan spent the rest of the afternoon, until dinner working on school work.

I had no such responsibilities, so I went for a little walk exploring west down the Escalante Route. There is apparently some minor technical sections on the Escalante Route, and it is a bit rougher than most of the trails in the Grand Canyon, hence it is not a trail but a route. I would like to hike the Escalante Route at some point, as it leads to the eastern end of the Tonto Trail.

The start of the Escalante Route.
Looking west.
A little rise.

I did not go far, but I walked about 40 minutes, took some pictures and just took in the scenery and the sounds of the canyon.

Looking back to the Tanner Grabben on the right, the small creek is Basalt Creek.
Looking west down the Colorado River.
Another view of the grabben and Basalt Creek.
Someone wants to make sure you can follow the route.

After dinner, we watch the red glow of the sun reflect off of the Camanche Point, along the Cliffs of the Palisades. After resting all day, Siobhan had really tightened up, we took a long slow walk to the very nice composting toilet.  Arriving back at the tent, we headed to bed early. I did not have pain killers in my first aid kit to relieve Siobhan’s discomfort, an oversight that still bothers me today. I woke up after midnight and sat outside for a while. It was a comfortable temperature, about 13C. The night sky was not good for photography, as there were too many clouds. So I enjoyed the peaceful serenity of the campsite before heading back to bed.

The composting toilet.
Sunset on Comanche Point.

Day 3 Grand Canyon Tanner/Beamer Trail.

Grand Canyon Tanner/Beamer Trail Home

bootwreckers

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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