Granite Cliff Studio

I think we can agree that we all used to do things when we were younger that we don’t do now. We were capable of infinite physical accomplishments. We had everlasting energy and rubber bones. Even if we are still doing some of our favorite activities from our childhood we can admit to doing them differently. Whether it be things like biking, skiing, team sports, tennis or golf, it’s always about performing to the best of your own ability. It could also be, we just enjoy the way these activities make us feel. You could lose in straight sets in a tennis match but just maybe you hit 3 or 4 great serves and improved the form on your backhand. You may not swim at meets anymore but maybe you went out in the ocean and swam to a point you had never been before. For me, its hiking.

I have a friend who once said I was the fastest hiker he had ever seen. I used to be able to do hikes in half the time most people would do them in. I used to be motivated to go quick and it gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Recently, I was hiking down the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon. I watched the sunrise on the rim and then started my trek. The goal was to go to Plateau Point and back. This is approximately a 12 mile hike with 3200 feet of elevation change. The estimated time from the National Park Service to complete this hike was 6-9 hours. Now, when I was a younger man, I would think to myself, I bet I could do that hike in under four hours. This day was different. I now hike with a DSLR camera and try to capture images that inspire me. I hope to create photography that normal people may not see on these journeys or may not even be able to go to these places in the first place.

So as I began my journey, I realized I am definitely one of the first people on the trail and because of covid, there are just not as many people around. Fall hiking at the Grand Canyon is the Mecca for enthusiasts. The weather is cooler, cottonwood leaves are changing colors and wildlife are not as shy. My story starts to have a point here: I was cruising down Bright Angel for about 30 minutes before I hear loud footsteps running down the trail behind me. I have seen this behavior before, it’s a race! I pull over to let the young man pass. He is surely trying to test his strength and endurance at this wonder of the world. I too, tested my abilities in this very place when I was younger. As I wait for him to breeze right by me I look around at my surroundings, the red rocks are mixing with sandy limestone and there are still plenty of junipers and fir trees. This pause on the trail then revealed a young bighorn sheep ram. I glared into the trees above me and he locked eyes with me. Normally, when I see sheep they’re in a flock, but this young ram was by himself and we connected. The moment was brief but impacted me. Logic told me, I’m never racing down this trail again, I would have missed seeing this beautiful creature.

Later on my journey, which was the the ascending portion, I tried to set a good pace and put my camera away. In the past I would have put my head down and go for it. I was leading the way amongst a group that I had befriended at Plateau Point but I quickly realized my days of racing up the Bright Angel were long gone. My current residence is about 10 feet above sea level in Lahaina. I found it a little hard to breath this time around. No matter, I changed my goals from stopping at the 3 mile and 1.5 mile rest houses to maybe every switchback. Who knows right now in 2020, when they might be able to get back to traveling. I thought, you better take it all in and enjoy all this beauty. I immediately started to notice the blue jays following me and a few mule deer with fawns in the bushes.

Well my change in pace and perspective paid off immensely. With many more breaks and reflection I appreciated my surroundings. But one moment where I stopped, no camera out of course, I looked up and saw the most majestic black bird the canyon offers, the California Condor! This creature was so large it was fending of a group of ravens. Soaring through the bold blue sky, this shadow with one wing flap covered great distance. It appeared like a giant moth being harassed by mosquitoes. As I sat and reveled in this moment I felt a spiritual moment of luck or gratitude. It felt unique and rare, pain and fatigue melted away. Heavy breathing turned into a smile.

I hope you enjoyed this story of my Grand Canyon adventure. Many of you may know I lived and worked at the Grand Canyon. This is truly my favorite place on Earth. If you are planning a visit to this beautiful national park let me know and I would love to guide you to some of my favorite spots.