Trail Log 1995-1997 - Lamar at Colorado State University

lawn). A near relative is Araucaria heterophylla, Norfolk Island pine, seen splendidly last summer
in the Divinity School lawn at Stellenbosch, in South Africa, native to Norfolk Island, off the coast
of Australia. Another relative is the Monkey Puzzle Tree, Araucaria araucana, seen at Rhodes
University, Grahamstown, native to the southern Andes. Family Araucariacae. Tall, coniferous
trees, in which the crown is monopodial, with radial limbs. The Grand Canyon, though it has old
rocks, was cut in the last five or six million years, so these trees were living long enough ago for
the Grand Canyon to be cut some 45 times.
One famous log, "Old Faithful," on the Giant Logs Trail, is 35 feet long and weighs 44 tons. It is
somewhat exposed and was hit by lightning in 1962, which caused portions of the log to break off.
The park resource manager then worked hard to repair the log. But today the policy has changed,
believing that it is best to let nature take its course..
Drove out through the Painted Desert, which is now incorporated into the Petrified Forest National
Park. The famous "Painted Desert feeling" of hunger in the late morning with a too late lunch,
originated here.
I was last here in 1961, 35 years ago! May 29, 1961. I paid $ 6 entry fee, senior discount, for the
Meteor Crater. When we were here in 1961, I paid 75 cents, and Jane didn't go in to save money!
But I figure my salary now is 14 times what it was in 1961.
Friday evening. Dinner, a Sabbath evening meal, with Marcus and Sandra Ford; she is Jewish.
Saturday, Feb. 17. Up to Grand Canyon, driving around through the East Rim Drive. Stopped at
Lipan Point, with a nice view of Hance Rapids at a distance in the river. Western bluebird here.
I found I had a chance for Phantom Ranch, if there were no-shows. They typically book 6-9 months
in advance, about 75 persons, and typically have about two no shows.
Flora: nice Ponderosa pine here. Utah juniper (J. osteosperma). cliffrose, Cowania stansburiana
Two bighorn ewes seen from the rim, a hundred yards below Kolb Studio.
Took too long trying out a pot pie in my backpacker stove, with the oven cover.
Grand Canyon Hike
Sunday, Feb. 18. Waited from 6.00 onward in the dark, and got the first of only two no shows, and
checked out of hotel. Then caught shuttle around to Yaki Point, to go down the South Kaibab Trail.
On the trail about 8.00. Steady descent. Nice day, not hot, but comfortable, in short sleeves. Nice
lighting. Two bighorn ewes, rather tame, on the trail about two-thirds of the way down. One group
of perhaps fifteen pinyon jays, rather noisy, with some calls like a magpie. Passed Natural Arch,
seen some distance up off trail.
Reached Panorama Point about 12.00 and ate lunch there, overlooking the two bridges. Left about
1.00 p.m. Redtail hawk. Rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) Descended to River, crossed
over the Black Bridge, lingered by the river's edge some. Checking my river pictures later, this is