Bottom of Grand Canyon

[sparker1]

Until a year or so back, I had no idea one could drive to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This appealed to me, as I'm not fit enough to hike it. The road begins in Peach Springs, Arizona on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Diamond Creek Road is about 20 miles long and much of it is rough and rocky. I didn't mind driving slowly, however, as the scenery was fantastic. These shots show the road and a pyramid shaped mountain in the distance and then closer. It was cloudy at the time, but the sun kept hitting the one mountain.

[sparker1]

The last mile of road was actually shared with the creek it was named for. Driving the creek was a unique experience, but well worth it. Once we reached the Colorado River and the nice, sandy beach, it was wonderful. What a spot to camp.

[mrclark321]

Wow, great shots!

Dan

[saravrose]

like the second.. that sunlight hitting the mountain is great.
Sari.

[JackieS]

Great shots, thank you for sharing. It is certainly a different take on the GC.

[wrphhi]

Beautiful shots Stan. Were you in the river for the third shot? I like the colors of the mountain in the 2nd shot, but like the composition of the first which shows the winding road.

[::John::]

Fantastic. Have you any shots of the sandy beach?

[jopfin]

Stan, long time no "see"! Anyway great shots, second pic is great........................Joe

[Becca]

These are terrific, Stan! What kind of a vehicle were you driving?

They use that road as a take-out for oar trips through the Grand Canyon. Our guides told us a story as we passed it about a flash flood that came down the road a few years ago and took a 2-ton truck right off the beach and into the Colorado River. Hope you had dry weather for your trip! :)

[sparker1]

Beautiful shots Stan. Were you in the river for the third shot? I like the colors of the mountain in the 2nd shot, but like the composition of the first which shows the winding road.

Thanks, Randy. I was almost in the river, standing on some rocks that stuck out of the water.

[sparker1]

These are terrific, Stan! What kind of a vehicle were you driving?

They use that road as a take-out for oar trips through the Grand Canyon. Our guides told us a story as we passed it about a flash flood that came down the road a few years ago and took a 2-ton truck right off the beach and into the Colorado River. Hope you had dry weather for your trip! :)

Thanks, Becca. I was aware the road is used for rafting take-outs, but had not heard the story of the truck. I can see where it could happen. My Honda Pilot does pretty well on bad roads, we've gone on some doozies. The weather has been very dry out here, more than 100 days without rain, so no concern about flash floods.

[sparker1]

Fantastic. Have you any shots of the sandy beach?

Thanks, kiwi. One shows Diamond Creek as it nears the river. My SUV is parked just on the other side of the trees. The second shows my wife by the creek, the sandy beach in the mid-ground, and a van parked there. It was driven by a nice couple from Kansas, and they planned to spend the night there.

[jgjulio]

Wow, great shots. I never knew you could drive down the GC. I like this idea, since I am not fit for the walk either. Thanks for sharing.

[Harold_L]

Beautiful, Stan. Thanks for introducing me to that part of the Canyon.

[wolverinesr1]

very nice pictures,i especially like the pyramid mountian being highlighted.plus this thread was very informative. i had no idea you could drive down either. do you think a regular car could do it,or do you need high clearance?another maybe silly question. once you drive down there is there anywhere else you drive to while down there or is the river it.told you it was a silly question:lol:

[sparker1]

very nice pictures,i especially like the pyramid mountian being highlighted.plus this thread was very informative. i had no idea you could drive down either. do you think a regular car could do it,or do you need high clearance?another maybe silly question. once you drive down there is there anywhere else you drive to while down there or is the river it.told you it was a silly question:lol:

Thanks, Jeff. I wouldn't try it with anything but high clearance. You can see the van made it, but he has about 8 inches clearance. Where the road ends is as far as you can go. There's no room to move up and down the river, even walking.

[::John::]

Stan, thanks for the extra pics, too. That would be a beautiful place to camp.

[Dimitri_V]

And there you have it.
So far we keep seeing the place from above (not that i`m complaining,still awesome) until someone with a different aproach brings a new angle and fresh air alltogether.
Thats what i call photographic restless eye.
Bravo Stan.

[Balliolman]

Most enjoyable reading about your adventures, Stan, and seeing the views!

[MarkoPolo]

Beautiful shot of the pyramidal mountain. Your eye for composition is certainly well developed.

[Richard51]

These are beautiful shots Stan. I had no idea one could drive to the bottom of the canyon..... Hmmmmm!!! I like the idea.

[RbnDave]

Stan,

Great shots. I had no idea there was a road down to the colorado river. One more thing to add to my list of "must do". Thanks for posting. You're going to make this road famous.

I didn't know you were out travelling again. thought you were home in FL for the winter. I have to keep a closer watch on this forum.

Dave

[sparker1]

All these nice comments are certainly welcome and appreciated. Being able to check out such places is one of the great advantages that come with retirement, unfotunately with the handicap of aging and all its related ailments. Oh well, it's still better than the alternative.

I've been offline the past three days, stuck at the south rim of Grand Canyon. As nice as the "new" locations are, the south rim is still the place for unbelievable grandeur. I'm hoping to post some shots of it soon.