Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
X'mas trip to Grand Canyon and Bryce
This weekend I drove up to Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon with friends. Spent a lot of time driving though. The weather was surprisingly good. It had snowed a few days ago, but not when we were there. But it was obviously, very cold. Unbearably so, during the early mornings and evenings when we stayed out in the open to watch the sunrise and set.
The North rim of Grand Canyon was closed for the season. We went to the South Rim. We didn't hike. Don't think the trails were open anyway.
From GC, we went to Bryce Canyon. On the way, we stopped at Page to visit Antelope Canyon. Another wonderful water carved canyon. I forgot to carry my Camera tripod with me and missed a good photo op. But I'm sure it wouldn't have made a big difference (a beginner that I am). This place must be visited during summer when the sun shines into the canyon in narrow shafts and lights up the canyon walls, making for a splendid display.
We should also have visited Lake Powell, Vermillion Caves and other places nearby but didn't have the time to.
Bryce Canyon was an altogether different experience. Hard to believe 3 vastly different looking Canyons can be found within a day's drive of each other. Bryce was open for hiking. We did the Navajo loop. We started from Sunrise point and hiked up to Sunset point. The weather was good here too. The skies were clear with a color so blue that I had never imagined was possible.
On our way back, we tried to visit Meteor Crater but it was closed for X'mas.
Well, all in all it was a very pleasant trip.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Mission Peak, CA
Ok..one last entry for today. In case you were wondering, yes I've decided to log my hikes/trips/travels since I moved to the Bay Area.
Today we hiked up Mission Peak. Very close to Mountain View, CA. A little too close if you ask me. If you feel like driving, this is not the place. But if you feel like doing a moderately strenuous hike (for occasional hikers like me) this is not bad. No trees around and on the hills, it was very windy on top. A good thing that we carried warm clothes. Carry water and hats/caps. Do not be fooled by all those wire thin people carrying nothing but hiking poles and iPods. Those people probably go there every weekend and it is not an easy hike. The view of the entire Bay Area from the top was well worth the effort.
Mt. Hamilton, South Bay Area
A few weeks ago I drove up to Mt. Hamilton, a little east of San Jose. There's an Observatory there, which closes are 5 PM. Not too far from the city. A lazy sunday afternoon's drive is all it takes. Nice view of San Jose city by night on the way back.
Link: Mt. Hamilton, CA