We left Vegas and headed to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. The northern rim had already closed for the winter so there was no alternative. First we stopped at Hoover Dam for a couple of pics.
Grand Canyon has a compulsory shuttle bus service for most of the year with a pick up/drop off at all the lookouts, lodges etc. We set up camp and headed on the bus for Hermit's Rest on the far West Rim. The 12km run back to The visitors centre was amazing. It was cold and windy and with many storms in view as the serious cold front headed south but the views cannot be surpassed.
The next morning we ran down to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon via the Kaibab Track, and back via the Angel Bright track. Both tracks are used by mule trains so fat, lazy tourists can experience the canyon, so the trails are a pretty good gradient with lots of switchbacks. The run was 27km and 1400m drop from top to bottom. The legs were certainly tired the next day!
After a great chilli for lunch at the lodge we headed off from GC for Monument Valley. This is the site of many Western films and is in the middle of Navajo Indian Reservation. While it was warmer here, it was in the middle of a dust storm and not a particularly enjoyable night camping.
