Southwest Road Trip - the Road to the Grand Canyon

Our original itinerary was to continue on to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.  But while in Page we heeded a winter storm warning for the two National Parks and made a change in our itinerary to go south to the Grand Canyon instead.  We were lucky to able to make last minute room bookings in one of the Park lodges. I have been to the Grand Canyon more than a few times but it has been more than ten years since my last visit so I was glad to revisit.  I knew I would find the scenery just as awesome if not more so because of changing perspectives.

Before we left Page, we visited the Wahweap Overlook to see how low the water has become on Lake Powell,  continuing on our quest for yet another golden hour with bonus moon rise in the process.  

Lake Powell from the Wahweap Overlook - the water has become so low the boat cruise had to be cancelled.

Not much of a sunset but a gorgeous moon rise...

We missed Marble Canyon on the way to Page so made up for it on the way out.  This is the version of Marble Canyon for poor souls who can't do too strenuous hikes and missed out on the lottery to visit the Wave, so don't be disappointed by the photos.  We lucked out though with a sighting of two baby condors, a rare sight for us.

89A south of Page

A scenic drive to Marble Canyon

The Navajo Bridges over the Colorado River - the one on the right is the older one built in 1929 which is now a pedestrian bridge.  The wider one on the left was built in 1995 to allow vehicular traffic over Marble Canyon to the Grand Canyon North Rim.

Marble Canyon is part of the Grand Canyon

One of the two baby condors sitting on one of the canyon walls

We managed to make it to the Grand Canyon for the golden hour, when the rocks are at their most spectacular.

Cedar Mountain from the east entrance to the Grand Canyon

Golden hour on the eastern side of Grand Canyon