Monday, July 15, 2013

Jump Up Point

Dear All None of You, 

HAHA. Nobody reads this blog, but thats ok because its just cathartic for me to post stuff. 


Beth and I went out to Jump Up Point which is a very remote overlook of Grand Canyon. It is actually outside the park boundaries in the Kaibab National Forest via Kanab Creek Wilderness. This is one of my favorite places on earth. Nobody is usually there. I've been there 4 times and have never ever seen another person until this trip over the past weekend. The person there was someone I know and work with on the North Rim. 


Heading up there on a series of dirt roads through the forest, there was massive monsoon thunderstorm moving over the region. On the radio we heard warnings about flash floods and severe storms. Where we were remained dry. Not a drop of rain fell anywhere near us. However there were flashes of lightning in the sky all around us and the clouds were dark and foreboding. When we arrived at the rim, the view was, as always, breathtaking. My acquaintance was there camping with his girlfriend. He came over to us holding a scorpion by the tail and pointing out various body parts and what their usefulness is to the creature.  Interesting enough, but we wanted to explore, so we headed west on foot along the rim and I worked on some photographs along the way. As sunset approached the sun started peaking out from under the cloud mass toward the west, and sunset was spectacular. We were worried it would be all overcast. The canyon lit up and provided the reward for a long rough drive and hike. 



[CLICK TO ENLARGE] 




Sunset


Looking East Toward Fishtail Mesa



Mt. Trumbull after a Storm


The Esplanade below the Overlook


Sparkling pools of rain water on the esplanade. 


The Monsoon in full effect. Pinon Pine in the foreground. 


Fishtail Mesa


The Esplanade and Narrows


A Cholla Cactus under a crescent moon


Crescent Moon through a Pinon


A view toward the Uinkaret Volcanic Field in the distance


The road to Jump Up Point pre-dawn


Jump Up Point is where the green star is 

* When i say "the esplanade" i mean the flat layer of rock near the bottom of the canyon. Its a prominent feature of the canyon and the top layer of a what is known as the "Supai Group" rock formation. 


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