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Grand Canyon National Park

Images from Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona

Brooding Cedar Mountain

East of the Desert View Watchtower in Grand Canyon NP sits what appears to be a lone mesa, darker than its surroundings due to vegetation. My research indicates that it's an extinct cinder cone called Cedar Mountain.

On this early April day, the low cloud cover made the mountain appear even darker and highlighted the contrast between the vegetation above the canyon rim, and the nearly barren rock walls. There is an off-road trail, and the ability to hike to the top of Cedar Mountain. It's roughly 2000' of elevation gain and a nice hike with very few other tourists taking the time to visit this location.

I think I will check it out more thoroughly on my next trip to the Grand Canyon.

Late Afternoon Blues

As the day wears on at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the late afternoon sun sets the tops of the canyon ridges and points on fire in deep orange and red hues, while the rest of the canyon's shadows begin to take on a blue hue.

Having visited most of the beautiful places this country has set aside as National Parks, it is still breathtaking to see the colors of the one and only true Grand Canyon.

Also amazing, is the naming of geologic features in the canyon, many of which date to the 1930s, include such names as the Zoroaster Temple, Buddha Temple and Vishnu Temple, all seen here, from the Grand View Point Trail.