The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The "Golden Hour" in the lexicon of photographers refers to the hour prior to sunrise, and after sunset (give or take a few minutes). The angle of the sun during these windows often lends itself to some of the day's most promising light to compose great images. Grand Canyon is certainly no exception to this rule. Combine this universal phenomenon with the region's low humidity, limited air pollution, and infrequent cloud cover and you can almost bank on a good shot or two if you're willing to rise early and linger late. For more information on this trick of the trade, check out the following link: http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-the-golden-hour/

A Shot in the Dark: Night Hiking at GC

Overheated summer hikers at Grand Canyon sometimes receive some counterintuitive advice from those in the know -- wait until dark. Before pushing uphill that is. Nocturnal travel is nothing new to the Canyon's many desert critters, and is much more desirable than wilting in triple digit temperatures. The views under a full or near-full moon are less spectacular than during daylight hours, but visibility is amazing and the experience surreal. I would only recommend this type of endeavor on trails that you are familiar with. And don't forget the flashlight (and spare batteries) in case the clouds move in. Personally, it's the one hike when I don't feel guilty leaving my camera at home.

North Rim: The High Life

I spent this past weekend on the North Rim. Although just ten air miles away from my daily life on the South Rim, the quickest way to arrive by vehicle takes at least four hours. But, oh, is it worth the effort. The North Rim towers over the South Rim by 1,000 feet. This extra height welcomes nearly twice the rainfall, and supports a much more lush forest -- one that includes aspen, fir and spruce, not to mention the North Rim's famous high-altitude meadows. The vibe in both visitors and employees is more laid back than the bustling Grand Canyon Village, and the pace is a gear or two slower too. The wildflower bloom was a sight to behold, though I was a month or two early for the changing of the leaves. The remote nature of the North Rim (and resultant meager visitation), combined with its harsh winter, have led the park service to shut down the tourist infrastructure from November through April each year. If you've never visited, don't wait any longer. If you've been there before, hurry back!

Rain is Gain

We northern Arizonans are keeping one eye on the skies these days, as we anxiously await the summer rains. The weather pattern known as the "monsoon" can usually be counted on to bring relief from the blistering heat to every living thing http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/weather/monsoon.htm. With history as a guide the rains are late in coming this year, but forecasters say they are on the way shortly. The flip side of this watery relief is the flash flooding that can occur in low lying areas. Be sure to stay out of narrow drainages and slot canyons during the coming months, especially in the afternoon. Even with blue skies above you might be surprised by a whistling ten foot wall of water...a great way to ruin a day (life?). Oh yes, and don't forget to dodge the frequent lightning (leave the spiked golf shoes at home). Have fun, stay safe, hike smart, and enjoy Mother Nature's watery gift from a safe distance.

Four-Legged Friends

While shooting the Canyon yesterday morning near the El Tovar Hotel, I chanced upon a young woman meditating on a precarious cliff. Upon further inspection I could see a Desert Bighorn on the slope beneath her, casually munching on a plant. These endangered, deer-like mammals are usually wary of humans. I joined her to get a better vantage and realized that no less than five of these creatures were converging on our position from every angle (including some boot-wide ledges below). We agreed it was Julie's energy that was luring them in. I got my pictures, but judging from the tears rolling down Julie's cheeks, she got much, much more. Desert Bighorn range from rim-to-river in Grand Canyon, and are usually spotted in rocky terrain. Read more by visiting this cool website:http://www.desertusa.com/big.html

Where There's Smoke There's Fire

Visitors headed to the Grand Canyon for the Fourth-of-July weekend may find it hard to locate a non-smoking section; outdoors that is. Several sizable wildfires in southern Utah are responsible for the brownish haze in the air that is diminishing the world-class views for which Grand Canyon is famous. Wildfires are naturally occurring phenomena in the forests of the West, and are especially common in the hotter summer months during which humidity drops to single digits. Wildfires are typically started by “dry” lightning, and, unfortunately, by humans making careless use of fire. Due to the latter, there are often fire and use restrictions in national parks and national forests. Check out the following website to see if your desired destination is affected: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/information/firerestrictions/az/restrictions_az.htm. Be safe, have fun, and please use extra caution when utilizing campfires or disposing of cigarettes.

Centennial for Grand Canyon's Most Recognizable Historic Structures

The El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House are enjoying their centennial celebration this year (http://www.grandcanyon-southrim.com/print/21.htm). Both were built in 1905 by the Santa Fe railroad which opened rail service to Grand Canyon Village in 1901. With their vision, architects Charles Whittlesley (El Tovar) and Mary Jane Colter (Hopi House) are largely responsible for the "look" of the historic Village District on the South rim. Be sure to visit these magnificent structures during your next visit!

Rare June Storm a Hair-Raising Event

Arizona has enjoyed unseasonably mild temperatures during the first two weeks of June, and Grand Canyon is no exception. A rare June thunderstorm this past weekend did its part to cool things down. I took the opportunity to look for rainbows at my favorite overlook, Yaki Point. While shielding my camera from a light rain, the metal stem of my umbrella began to spark and crackle due to the electricity in the air, and my hair stood on end. I made a beeline to my vehicle just before the lightning began in earnest, and found out later that two visitors had been struck a few miles away. My tempting of the gods did pay off with some great pictures, but I wouldn't advise such risky behavior as a rule. Its much safer to buy my prints and let me continue to take all the chances!

See you on the trail.

Grand Canyon -- Coming to a Cubicle Near You

So you're in your office cubicle in Kansas City, and wishing you were anywhere else. You reach into your desk and retrieve a well-worn photo of the Grand Canyon from your last trip. You study every cliff and slope until your daydream is shattered by a ringing phone and another angry client. If this is ritual sounds familiar, come to the park for a visit. If you can't afford to make the journey, do the next best thing, bookmark the park service Web cam and come back as often as you like! http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grcacam/grcacam.cfm

Getting High in Northern AZ

When most people think of great hiking destinations in northern Arizona, they typically focus on the Grand Canyon. Ask any local however, and they will likely mention the San Francisco Peaks outside Flagstaff--especially during the summer months when Canyon temperatures can reach triple digits. These ancient, dormant volcanic mountains are anchored by Humphreys Peak. At 12,633 feet, Humphreys is the highest point in Arizona. Check out this handy website for some helpful hiking tips: http://www.trails.com/activity.asp?AreaID=%7BC191BEA6-ED67-44C4-BAB0-02896CCAFA80%7D.

Too Hot to Hike? Think Fall...

With Inner Canyon temperatures reaching triple digits, those in the know are staying on the high ground for the remainder of the summer (unless, of course, you're going on a river trip where relief is just a dip away). Though too toasty to backpack, summer is the perfect time to plan your fall outings at Grand Canyon. Backcountry camping permits for the month of October are now available. Judging by the lines at the Backcountry Office yesterday, they're going fast. I was lucky enough to secure a rim-to-rim permit for the middle of October when I'll be taking my wife and a handful of unsuspecting friends on what's often referred to as the quintessential Grand Canyon trek.

Permits can be obtained from the Backcountry Office in person, by mail, or via fax. Check out Grand Canyon National Park's Web site for details on securing your hiking permit (http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/permit_procedures.htm).