In our May story of our Grand Canyon tour, we had left Christine standing at one of the scenic stops half way on our way to Hermit's Rest. We are finally getting around to finishing the ride. I think we had mentioned that it was quite chilly and the day was overcast.
But the weather could not over-ride the endless beauty of the canyon.
Also, I think we mentioned that some areas had designated bike and pedestrian trail ways.
Whenever there was a scenic stop but no guard rails, the park service would alert us with the above caution signs.
Although Christine is more interested in the scenery, the edge is the reason the park service wants everyone off the bikes. Downhill mountain bike racing is frowned upon.
Wish we had trail ways such as this in Texas.
And I hate to admit it, but this beats our Palo Duro Canyon.
Repeatedly, visitors are told NOT to feed the animals. But this guy seems to know that if he acts cute, he gets rewarded.
Made it. The gate to Hermit's Rest.
Hermit's Rest was interesting enough to merit a special (non-biking) post. So for right now, we will just post some of the pictures of the immediate area of the structure and vistas that draws crowds year round.
Time to start on our way back. The picture of a happy shopper (yes, Hermit's Rest has a store inside the structure and Christine's booty is safely packed in her back pack.) A note of interest to riders only interested in the ride, the yellow sign is alerting us to a steep decline. Test the brakes and then have fun!
If anyone has ever ridden with Christine, they know that she smiles like this after every downhill.
The bike trail makes a few more squiggles before we intersect back with the main road.
By the road being restricted to buses and cars with handicap stickers,
on the return trip, we made sure that we stopped at areas we had by-passed on the way up.
Previously, we had mentioned that the first 1/2 mile was a 6% incline. The sign on the right is letting us know that we are approaching the last half mile.
Scene just before the gated entrance to Hermit's Rest.
Exit from Hermit's Rest road. Ride is about over.
The route back to the visitors center and Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals is scenic and well protected from traffic.
After the ride we just finished, who wouldn't be happy?
It really looks beautiful. It's also nice of them to warn you of steep grades. I wonder how many tourists disregard that notice and pay a price for it.
ReplyDeleteNot many, when we went we were told almost nobody ever falls off the edge. Tons of people die going to the bottom and back though from dehydration.
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