1161 October 12, 2024 Twin Point
It was a gorgeous morning for a walk. Some critters in the campground.
We loaded the Jeep and got gas for the Jeep and an extra 5 gallon can for good measure. It was a short distance to the beginning of the trail into the wilderness and to Twin Point.
It was Saturday so there were lots of ATV’s or dust buggies on the road with us. There was no wind so the dust hung in the air for a long time after they had sped past us.
Quail Hill Pass.
We saw ravens and hawks.
We passed through long miles of desert.
We passed lots of cattle ranches and then, a tractor trailer full of cattle headed out. These ranches are more than 40 miles from pavement and there were still ranches 70 miles in. They are so isolated. I am sure they have lots of firewood and I hope that they have generators!
I cannot imagine being so far from goods and services. There is only one way in and one way out…this long gravel road that becomes impassable when it is wet!
Cow 319 was grazing right on the roadside. Tim stopped to chat with him. The cow: “I’m missing some friends…do you know anything about that?” YIKES!!!
We drove into Grand Canyon – Parashant National Monument.
We are lucky to be able to come here this late in the year. Temperatures have been unseasonably warm. Sometimes there is snow here as early as September. Today is mild and the skies are blue, blue.
It took us more than 2 ½ hours to drive 70 miles. We turned onto 1019 toward Twin Point. We passed through a section of tall ponderosa pines. There were deep ruts in the road…this could be a muddy mess!
We passed through a bunch of short trees and then we were on the peninsula that led to the point.
We got out to walk to the edge.
We could see (with binoculars) the West Entrance Skywalk across the canyon.
The road was in amazing condition. This was not the case when we have had similar adventures to the Northern Rim at Tuweep and Whitmore Canyon.
We arrived at noon after 4 hours and 86 miles. We spent the afternoon walking along the edge, basking in the sunshine and then retreating to the shade. I read and Tim took a nap. We watched the changes in this extraordinary Grand Canyon as the sun shifted and new layers and colors were revealed as others were hidden in shadow.
Yucca.
Prickly pear.
We enjoyed some wine and then cooked eggs and toast.
Our campsite.
View from the bedroom window!
The sun set at 6pm. The moon had risen and was ¾ full.
We had a campfire for a short while. Wind gusts blew sparks across the plateau and we scrambled to quickly extinguish them. We doused the fire.
We were camped with one other couple on the point. Two other vehicles came through and they camped several miles out.