10/19/2021. Kanab Utah, North Rim of Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Page Arizona, Horse shoe bend, Marble Canyon/Lee’s Ferry

We are now based out of Kanab, Utah. 

 On Sunday we drove up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The lodge closed a couple days before we arrived, but the road was still open all the way to the rim.  There was snow/ice on the trails, but the road was clear and the temps were in the 60’s.  Sandy and I attempted to hike down the Bright Angel/Kabab trail but ran into ice and snow at 3/4 miles.  We decided best to turn around as the trail can be treacherous.  The trail is maybe 5’ wide at the good spots then there is a drop off into the canyon.  There are no railings, ropes, or other protection to keep from falling into the canyon.  This is the 1st time I have been back since backpacking to Phantom Ranch at the bottom from the South Rim in 2010.  I am overwhelmed at how massive of a feat it was for the 5 of us friends to take on such a adventure never having backpacked previously.  We were told by experienced hikers that it was not to be done as a first time experience, but we prepared the best we could before doing it.  I am pretty sure that I would not be able to do it now at 64 years old.

On Monday we drove to:

• Lake Powell.  We were looking forward to seeing the picturesque lake below massive cliffs.  Instead of seeing water winding through the cliffs, we found the lake to be 50’ down and more like a few large ponds.  Many of the large house boats have been removed.  The only boats on the lake were smaller fishing, ski, and small houseboats.  The boat ramp which was 1/4 mile long was completely out of water.  At the end of the ramp was 50’ of mud until you reached the water line.  The western part of the U.S. is having a drought and the results certainly showed in the water level of Lake Powell.  There is hope for next year as recently rain and snow have come in early coating the mountains which the melt will eventually end up in the lake.
• Page Arizona.  Sandy had read good things about Page so we wanted to check it out to see what it offers.  Our impression was that it is a nice small town, but not somewhere that we would go out of our way to return.
• Horse Shoe Bend.  Pretty but a tourist trap.  They charge $10 per car so that you can hike back a 1/2 mile trail to see the horse shoe.  It is horse shoe cliff cut by the Colorado River at the bottom.  As I said it is pretty and picturesque but touristy.  It’s a one and done for us.
• Marble Canyon/Lee’ Ferry.  If you haven’t had the luxury of hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, this is worth the appx 45 mile drive outside of Page Arizona to experience.  It allows you to drive directly into the Canyon.  Marble Canyon is at the beginning of the Grand Canyon.  At the bottom of the road is Lee’s Ferry where the Rafting companies put in to run the river.  You can actually walk down to the Colorado River and put your hands/feet in the water.  It also gives you a view of how majestic the Canyon walls are from the bottom looking up.