Grand Canyon Collective
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      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

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      A Journey to Dripping Springs

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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

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      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

      Other

      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

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      Hiking Tips: Trekking Poles

      August 19, 2018

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      Campsites of Northen Arizona – Prescott Pines…

      June 20, 2018

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      Museum of Northern Arizona

      September 4, 2018

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      September 4, 2018

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      Yaki Point

      August 19, 2018

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      August 19, 2018

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      Take a journey through Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii…

      December 9, 2017

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      Don’t Drive Grand Canyon National Park

      October 27, 2017

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      More Scenic Routes

      August 24, 2017

  • Routes & Itineraries
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      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

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      A Journey to Dripping Springs

      October 9, 2018

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      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

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      Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Picture Canyon

      September 4, 2018

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      Hermit’s Rest Tour

      September 4, 2018

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      Museum of Northern Arizona

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      Take a journey through Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii…

      December 9, 2017

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      Mesa Verde National Park

      December 9, 2017

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      Night Skies at Grand Canyon

      November 14, 2017

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      Getting Married at Grand Canyon

      April 10, 2017

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      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

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      Museum of Northern Arizona

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  • Home
  • Eat & Stay
    • Eat & Stay

      Campsites of Northen Arizona – Prescott Pines…

      June 20, 2018

      Eat & Stay

      The Toasted Owl Cafe in Flagstaff

      May 26, 2018

      Eat & Stay

      Eat n’ Run Cafe in Flagstaff

      April 19, 2018

      Eat & Stay

      Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Phantom Ranch

      February 9, 2018

      Eat & Stay

      Take a journey through Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii…

      December 9, 2017

  • Outdoor Activities
    • All Biking Hiking Other
      Hiking

      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

      Featured

      A Journey to Dripping Springs

      October 9, 2018

      Featured

      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

      Featured

      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

      Biking

      Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Picture Canyon

      September 4, 2018

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      Hermit’s Rest Tour

      September 4, 2018

      Biking

      Yaki Point

      August 19, 2018

      Biking

      Renting Bikes in the Grand Canyon

      August 19, 2018

      Hiking

      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

      Hiking

      A Journey to Dripping Springs

      October 9, 2018

      Hiking

      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

      Hiking

      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

      Other

      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

      Other

      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

      Other

      Hiking Tips: Trekking Poles

      August 19, 2018

      Other

      Campsites of Northen Arizona – Prescott Pines…

      June 20, 2018

  • Entertainment & Tours
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      Museum of Northern Arizona

      September 4, 2018

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      September 4, 2018

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      August 19, 2018

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      August 19, 2018

      Entertainment & Tours

      Take a journey through Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii…

      December 9, 2017

  • Transport
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      Don’t Drive Grand Canyon National Park

      October 27, 2017

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      More Scenic Routes

      August 24, 2017

  • Routes & Itineraries
    • Routes & Itineraries

      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

      Routes & Itineraries

      A Journey to Dripping Springs

      October 9, 2018

      Routes & Itineraries

      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

      Routes & Itineraries

      Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Picture Canyon

      September 4, 2018

      Routes & Itineraries

      Hermit’s Rest Tour

      September 4, 2018

  • Events & Celebrations
    • Events & Celebrations

      Museum of Northern Arizona

      September 4, 2018

      Events & Celebrations

      Take a journey through Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii…

      December 9, 2017

      Events & Celebrations

      Mesa Verde National Park

      December 9, 2017

      Events & Celebrations

      Night Skies at Grand Canyon

      November 14, 2017

      Events & Celebrations

      Getting Married at Grand Canyon

      April 10, 2017

  • Guide’s Journals
    • Story & Song

      Backpacking the Boucher Trail

      August 9, 2019

      Story & Song

      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

      Story & Song

      Heart of the Canyon

      September 4, 2018

      Story & Song

      Museum of Northern Arizona

      September 4, 2018

      Story & Song

      Hermit’s Rest Tour

      September 4, 2018

Routes & Itineraries

    Eat & StayGeology & HistoryOtherOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Desert View Watchtower

    written by Common Jones

    Some ninety percent of visitors reach only the south rim of the Grand Canyon, but with 277 river miles, and some one million and a quarter square miles of park, there’s plenty to see.  Just consider that even driving 3 hours to the east will still leave you only at the South Rim still, though a much unvisited spot of it, no doubt.  To catch a little more of the Grand Canyon, consider a drive to the south rim’s east entrance, towards Desert View, and it’s Watchtower.

    Desert View offers exceptional contiguous views of the Colorado River as it turns from the north to the west.  As well as wonderful expressions of canyon geology, with most all of the visible rock layers visible at this one point.  To your east you will see the expanse of the Painted Desert (as promised by the name), and to the south a view of the San Francisco Peaks of Flagstaff.  The tower itself was designed to reflect the towers of the Puebloan peoples, yet this tower far dwarfs any towers built by these peoples.  The design features unfinished masonry, as well as Hopi art, petroglyphs and pictographs internally.

    Getting there encompasses a 22 mile drive from/to the Grand Canyon Village of the South Rim.  With views of the Grand Canyon available along the way, with periods of beautiful forest drives as well.  Doing an out and back from the Village is pleasing, but it is also possible to run it as a loop, should you be heading north to Page, or south to Flagstaff.  Either producing an “L” shape towards or from Page, and a lap starting and ending in Flagstaff.  While counterclockwise, or clockwise are mostly inconsequential, my personal preference is counterclockwise.  As you will avoid the dominance of traffic into the park, and the views, and pull-offs, from the Desert View are complimented by being on that side of the road.

    The Desert View Watchtower was designed by Mary Colter, and construction was completed in 1933, making it a National Historic Site.

    Desert View Watchtower was last modified: November 25th, 2017 by Common Jones
    November 25, 2017 0 comment
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  • Geology & HistoryHikingOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Hermit’s Rest

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    Hermit’s Rest is a historic rest house constructed in 1914 by Mary Colter.  Originally set up with one room on each wing, it was quickly over burdened by the influx of visitors,…

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  • FeaturedOtherOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Crosby Canyon Near Page Arizona

    by Sarah Neal November 21, 2017

    This weekend my husband and I decided to sneak away for the weekend for our anniversary to Page, Arizona to do Antelope Canyon. With our Saturday adventure taken care of, it left Sunday open…

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  • FeaturedOtherOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Top Sunset Spots at the Grand Canyon

    by Ali Beam November 14, 2017

    Sunsets in the Southwest are unrivaled, especially at the Grand Canyon National Park. In 2016, the park had a visitor count of over 6 million people. Even with the large number of…

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    Walnut Canyon National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    Just 10 miles from down town Flagstaff lies the remnants of the Sinaqua culture group; consisting of a few pueblos, graineries, and over 80 cliff dwellings tucked into the canyon walls like…

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    Wupatki National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    Between the Painted Desert and the ponderosa highlands (approx 20 minutes from Flagstaff), lies what is believed to be the largest ancient pueblo for 50 some odd miles.  North of Flagstaff up…

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    Sunset Crater National Monument

    by Common Jones October 30, 2017

    Northern Arizona offers a multitude of beauty and culture to those willing to stem off the main trail, seeping into the wilderness, or willing to take alternative paths to their destinations.  This…

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    Deep within the Grand Canyon: Chimik’yana’kya Deya’ (Ribbon Falls)

    by John Begay October 30, 2017

    Chimik’yana’kya Deya’ is the Zuni pronunciation for Ribbon Falls, a beautiful waterfall found six miles heading north along Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon. Hiking to the waterfall is an all…

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    Don’t Drive Grand Canyon National Park

    by Common Jones October 27, 2017

    The Grand Canyon has become a momentous travel destination for as many as 6 million visitors from all over the world.  Remote as it is, many people go to great lengths to…

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    Seriously Amazing Things to See on Your Way to Grand Canyon

    by Sarah Neal October 2, 2017

    Let me guess, you’re here because you have booked a trip to Arizona, and you’re wondering about places to see near Grand Canyon. If you’re headed to Grand Canyon, here’s the best…

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Recent Posts

  • Backpacking the Boucher Trail

    August 9, 2019
  • A Journey to Dripping Springs

    October 9, 2018
  • Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

    September 26, 2018
  • Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

    September 26, 2018
  • Bright Angel Trail Pictographs

    September 26, 2018

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This Website is Owned and Operated by Bright Angel Bicycles & Cafe | To contact the moderators, please contact BAB directly at www.bikegrandcanyon.com | Please note that you will visit the places mentioned in this blog, or you participate in activities described, that you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! You should always consider nature a formidable force, and take all measures of safety necessary for safe travel and also mindfully conserve the wilderness that you are visiting for future visitors.


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