Category Archives: Uncategorized

These Grand Canyon Supergroup rock formations belong to the Unkar Group. The Y indicates the rocks were formed in the Mesoproterozoic era. The members of the Unkar group were formed in a basin, originally horizontally, during the assembly of the supercontinent Rodinia, and then tilted by tectonic forces around 1100 Ma. Yi Unnamed diabase sillsContinue reading “What happens when you ask Y”

National Parks Service – visiting, geology, ecology Visitor Centers and Backcountry Information Centers can help onsite with trail conditions, water availability, and weather forecasts. Conditions can quickly change. Rescue is not guaranteed. Plan ahead. Grand Canyon Conservancy US Geological Survey National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps REI has buying guides, videos, and support for choosing gear.Continue reading “Useful sources”

I have done 5 backpacking trips to the river on the Grand Canyon corridor trails and always in the heat (May-September). Everyone is different in how they prepare and their priorities, and there is no right way. Here are some things I have found helpful: Stairs and more stairs. Trails and more trails. Gradual trainingContinue reading “Some thoughts on hiking and backpacking the Grand Canyon corridor trails”

Well below the lower Jct sign for Ribbon Falls (via creek), the North Kaibab Trail crosses through a lush area of small trees, shrubs, and tall grasses. Sparrows (?) with black bodies and bright white markings whiz by. Here the diabase slopes are black (Yi, 1070 Ma). A course dark sand crunches under foot alongContinue reading “One fairly continuous unit – tracking down the Rama Schist & Gneiss in Bright Angel Canyon”

I was drawn in by the soft colors of the morning in Sept 2021 on a walk that started with something that looked a lot like a pomegranate tree and ended with a cup of coffee. Looking down creek from Bright Angel Campground a tall sheer pink cliff caught my attention. I took some photosContinue reading “Has anybody seen a graben around here?”