Full Moon at Grand Canyon

There was a full Moon this past weekend (05 February 2023) and we decided it would be fun to spend a few days at Grand Canyon and do some photography and hiking.

The nearly-full Moon rises above the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
The nearly-full Moon rises above the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

We arrived in the early afternoon at the East Entrance to avoid the possible long lines at the more popular South Entrance. Our first stop was at Desert View because I wanted to take some updated photos of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower. First attempts were with a 24mm wide angle but it was not wide enough. So, back to the car to get the 17–35mm ultra-wide lens.

Upward view of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Upward view of the interior of the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Interior artwork in the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.
Interior artwork in the Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon.

For the Moonrise we went to the Visitors Center parking area and walked along the Rim Trail to capture the nearly-full Moon rising over the North Rim. Unfortunately, distant high clouds prevented seeing the Moon until it was well above the horizon. No matter, it was still very nice. While waiting for the Moon, I shot photos of hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail near the Ooh-Aah Viewpoint with the late afternoon sun illuminating the rock faces.

Vishnu Temple in the distance behind Yaki Point, Grand Canyon.
Vishnu Temple in the distance behind Yaki Point, Grand Canyon.
Hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon.
Hikers ascending the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon.
Testing the new Nikon lens at Grand Canyon.
Testing the new Nikon lens at Grand Canyon.

The following day also included a photoshoot of the rising Moon but we had plenty of time before that and found ourselves hiking down Bright Angel Trail. The trail was covered in packed snow and foot traction was helpful. We opted to only hike down as far as 1½ Mile Rest House before returning. I didn’t time the descent but the return ascent was 57 minutes. Not too bad for 1.5 miles and 1120′ vertical gain.

Snow covers the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon.
Snow covers the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon.

The Moonrise photography went well with the Moon rising in the notch between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in the Canyon.

The full Moon rises between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in Grand Canyon.
The full Moon rises between Cape Royal on the North Rim and Wotans Throne in Grand Canyon.
Early morning sun illuminates the Tower of Set and Horus Temple as seen from Hopi Point, Grand Canyon.
Early morning sun illuminates the Tower of Set and Horus Temple as seen from Hopi Point, Grand Canyon.

The following morning we arose early to see the sunrise from Hopi Point. With the passage of a weak cold front during the night I was hoping for some dramatic clouds. Nope. Nothing. Clear skies but there was the setting Moon in the west. As a consolation I got early morning light on the Tower of Set and Horus Temple.

A Winter Hike up West Fork Oak Creek canyon

Running water and ice fill the shaded depths of West Fork Oak Creek.
Running water and ice fill the shaded depths of West Fork Oak Creek.

It has been a few years since we have done a winter hike up the West Fork of Oak Creek. This is mainly because of overcrowding in the canyon and a full parking lot. But earlier this week we passed by the entrance and noted that the parking lot was nearly empty. We already had plans for that day but decided to hike the following day.

This wall of ice greets hikers at the very beginning of the West Fork Trail.
This wall of ice greets hikers at the very beginning of the West Fork Trail.
Overnight refreezing creates amazing ice patterns.
Overnight refreezing creates amazing ice patterns.
One of the 13 stream crossings along the West Fork Trail.
One of the 13 stream crossings along the West Fork Trail.
Beautiful with snow and ice but this location is also amazing during the fall when the trees are in full color.
Beautiful with snow and ice but this location is also amazing during the fall when the trees are in full color.
There is an overhanging wall that drips water constantly and produces amazing icicles and ice sculptures.
There is an overhanging wall that drips water constantly and produces amazing icicles and ice sculptures.
A natural ice scupture from dripping water. What does it look like to you?
A natural ice scupture from dripping water. What does it look like to you?
Another overhanging wall with icicles framing the sunlit wall on the other side of the canyon.
Another overhanging wall with icicles framing the sunlit wall on the other side of the canyon.
The end of the West Fork trail where water spreads from side to side ("The Subway"). This can easily be waded in the summer but requires an extended deep freeze for the ice to thicken in the winter. While it may look like open water it is actually clear ice about an inch or so thick.
The end of the West Fork trail where water spreads from side to side (“The Subway”). This can easily be waded in the summer but requires an extended deep freeze for the ice to thicken in the winter. While it may look like open water it is actually clear ice about an inch or so thick.

We have done this hike in the winter enough times to know that having solid foot traction gear is necessary as well as a set of hiking poles. With those aids, we had very little trouble hiking to the end of the established trail (~3.2 miles). As noted at the trailhead, there are 13 stream crossings and each one had ice-covered rocks and/or logs to step on. The trail was a combination of packed snow and ice.

We saw only a few people at the start of the hike and none after the first half-mile or so. On the way back, we encountered a few hiking parties intent on reaching the end of the trail and they were close enough that I have little doubt that they made it. As we got closer to the trailhead we ran into several parties that were ill-equipped to be doing this winter hike.

This winter hike is best right after a snowstorm but that can mean having to break trail through the snow. We’ve done that and it was a workout. But the payoff in snow-covered cliffs and creek are worth the effort.

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Here are some older entries about hiking West Fork in the winter:

December at Grand Canyon

Late afternoon light illiminates the canyon walls.
Late afternoon light illiminates the canyon walls.

A low-end winter storm moved across Arizona a few days ago and brought some snow to the higher terrain. Flagstaff only received a trace of snow while locations to the west and northwest received more. With that in mind, we headed to Grand Canyon National Park for some afternoon and sunset photography.

Lipan Point looking to the west.
Lipan Point looking to the west.
Lipan Point looking north.
Lipan Point looking north.

We went to Lipan Point where about 2-3 inches of snow had fallen. The clouds were already clearing and that was a bit disappointing as we had hoped to see the clouds lifting out of the depths of the canyon. There were still plenty of clouds above the canyon rim and the lowering sun resulting in very nice sunset colors on both the clouds and the walls of the canyon.

A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.
A small tree clings to the edge of the canyon.

We left only moments after sunset since the parking lot and road out of the park were already turning into black ice. Moments later we had dropped enough in elevation that we had dry roads for the drive back home.

Fall Color in Oak Creek Canyon

It’s early November and the aspen leaves have fallen across the higher elevations of northern Arizona. But autumn colors are not done–they have just shifted to lower elevations.

Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.
Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.

Earlier this week we decided to hike the North Wilson Mountain Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. It starts at ~1450 m and we turned around at ~1910 m at the intersection with the main Wilson Mountain Trail. The best autumn colors were found early in the hike where the trail is in a north-facing drainage. In this section we encountered primarily maple trees but we also found oak, sumac, and Arizona Ash as well as a few wildflowers.

Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.

This part of Oak Creek Canyon was burned in the 2006 Brins Fire and there are reminders of this wildfire all along the trail. But fire also brings new growth and the maples appear to be thriving in this location.

Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Maples displaying lots of color.
Maples displaying lots of color.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon--and some interesting clouds above.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon–and some interesting clouds above.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.

From our turnaround spot near the junction of North Wilson and Wilson trails we had grand views of the lower portions of Oak Creek and the Red Rock country of Sedona.

These ravens--and a western bluebird(?)--were happy to let me take their photograph.
These ravens–and a western bluebird(?)–were happy to let me take their photograph.

Colorful day!

Edit: formatting issues