My Last Few Weeks, Friends, and Thanking Someone Special

My Last Few Weeks and New Friends - Well in just 10 more days I'll be heading home and ending my 3 months of volunteering as the Mather Campground Host.  My host duties were shared with Steve Jerman.  Steve and his wife Donna, have become good friends over the past three months as we've shared this adventure.

Steve Jerman (L) and Me (R)

We've both shared in our duties and in my opinion made a positive impact on the Mather Campground.  It's funny most people in the campground get us confused.  I've been called Steve and visa versa.  We are "brothers from a different mother" as the saying goes.  I look forward to our continued friendship.

Things at the campground should be slowing down in September, but we've been busy every day.  We've sold out nearly every day with a few exceptions.  The weather has been perfect and people seem to be thoroughly enjoying the campground.  The Ranger staff has asked both Steve and I if we'd stay through October, but both of us can't wait to get back home.  I've recommended my good friend, hiking and cycling buddy Jerry Neely if he'd be interested in spending October at the rim.  He agreed and it looks like he'll be taking over the reigns at the end of the month.

Grandview Trail Hike - This week I hiked the Grandview Trail.  This trail was developed in the early 1900's to provide access to the Last Chance copper mine.  The trail takes you down quickly to the Horseshoe Mesa where the mining operations were conducted.  The Last Chance mine didn't pan out (no pun intended).  There was copper discovered, but the cost and difficulty of getting the ore out of the canyon was too, too difficult and was abandoned.  The owner of the mine built the Grandview Hotel once abandoning the mine.  The hotel is no longer there, but remnants can still be seen.  Timbers from the hotel were used by Mary Colter in the building of the Desert View tower.

Timber Structure Make the Trail

I've been wanting to do this trail for some time and figured this break was as good a time as any.  I'll admit that hiking it by myself isn't something I recommend, but I gave plenty of people my itinerary and was confident I could make it.

The trail starts at the Grandview overlook and descends rapidly down the side of the canyon.  Much of the trail is narrow and rocky.  The switchbacks are steep and instead of steps most are inlaid with rocks from the canyon.  Looking back I could see where they had built the trail with pine timbers.  It didn't give me any confidence in the trail, but I continued on. 

Inlaid Rock on the Switchbacks

On the Edge

 The views were just as I thought and made it all worthwhile.  Much of the trail was right on the edge of the canyon.  I'll have to admit I have had a fear of heights from childhood.  I think it was from my falls climbing in the garage in Atwater, CA.  This made the hike a little challenging as I had to face my fears.  As I made it down to the beginning of the mesa the trail leveled out, but it didn't make it any easier.  At three different points the trail was washed out by rock slides.  The trail disappeared under the rocks, but emerged on the other side.  This made it more interesting, but a little dangerous as any slip climbing over the rocks could be interesting.

I made it down around 11:00AM just in time to have lunch (Raman noodles).  I found a nice Juniper tree and settled in to cooking lunch.  The Raman noodles hit the spot along with a piece of fruit and a Cliff bar.  Just as I finished lunch I saw three hikers approaching.  We exchanged hellos and they continued on around the mesa.  I noticed rain on the south rim and thought it a  good idea to start back up.

Rain and Canyon Colors

The rain brings out the colors of the canyon and it was beautiful on the way up.  As I gained elevation the temperatures started to drop into the 60's.  I met another group of backpackers heading down to camp on the mesa.  We made way for each other, said hello and were on our way.  I began to get soaking wet from the rain and perspiration.  Every time I'd stop for a break I'd get chilled.  I hadn't brought a fleece or other layers and so the only alternative was to continue up the trail. Hiking kept me warm and warded off any hypothermia.  I made it back up to the top of the trail at 3:15PM.  The sun broke out and it was nice just to stand in the warm sun for a few minutes.

Thanking Someone Special - I want to take the time to thank someone very special and dear to me for letting me enjoy this adventure.  This past July 31st Billie and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary.  She joined me here at the canyon for our celebration, but much of her time has been holding down the fort back in Gilbert at our home.  She has unselfishly let me spend three months up here fulfilling something I've wanted to do for a long time.  I know her time at home hasn't been as much fun as I've had.  She's had to take care of things at home I'd usually be doing, making certain the bills are paid, and caring for the grand kids in her second job as grandmother.  She was there when we had the Gilbert flooding (5 inches of rain in a 24 hour period) watching the parks flood, sending my text updates, and worrying if it would make it our way.  To say the least, she has been great and I love her very much.  I know this isn't enough, but THANK YOU!  I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

Well it's time to close for now, but I'll post a final wrap up soon.