Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Here's the South entrance sign, with the ticket booths about 400 yards/meters farther North. There's a parking lot here so you can stop and take pictures of your family members as they stand behind the sign, plus there's a camera stand if you want to get yourself in the picture.

This is a scan of a map they give you when you enter the park, click on it for a larger version so you can orientate yourself as I describe places and names. This is the only link for larger pictures on the tour.

This is the famous Mather Point, which is normally loaded with tourists, because it's the first place of interest as you enter the park. The sign gives you a little information about Mather Point. You can see the stairway off to the left of the sign leading down to the viewing area.

The parking lot is big, and you can park along the road, but during the summer season I'd say you might be out of luck during certain times. There was plenty of parking spaces for my stay in April. You can see from the picture it's still possible to park right along the edge.

Mather point at close to sunset, usually heavy crowds.

In the morning, it's the complete opposite. This morning it was very hazy, which I guess kept away the throngs of people.

Forget about this kind of solitude during the summer tourist season.

A morning picture of a hazy Grand Canyon.

This is the Visitors center across the street from Mather Point. Since there is no parking at the center, you'll have to lug your big fat behind about a quarter mile by foot. There is also a bookstore in back of me in this shot.

Here is an interior shot of the Visitors center. I think they overbuilt the place. There're some park rangers in the far corner to answer any questions you might have.

This little Western Bluebird was flitting around the area, and he was a loooong way off, that's why it's not very sharp.

I think this is the best part of the Visitors center, the old-type signs.

A close-up of one.

The bookstore has an immense amount of literature about the Grand Canyon and vicinity.

This is a nice looking display of Native Artifacts, and if you like, you can purchase the rug behind it for $225.

Now we travel a little ways to the Yavapai observation station This is a nice place to view the Canyon also. In fact, I think it's a better viewing point and less crowded than Mather Point. There is a nice stone building with exhibits and interpretive displays inside.

Here's the viewing area, somewhat smaller than Mather, but you can get close to the edge along the rocks to the west if you like.

This is the inside of the nice stone building with the displays etc.

Just to the west of the viewing area is this rock slab ledge, which I told you about two pictures up.

A nice door shot in back of the Yavapai observation station. I like the design.

Now we're at the famous Hopi House. The following was taken from a local brochure: Hopi House was designed by renowned architect Mary E. J. Colter, one of the first American architects to appreciate the utility and beauty of Native American design. The design of the structure was meant to reflect that of a typical adobe pueblo used by the Hopi Indians of old Oraibi. Recently renovated, the Hopi House, a National Historic Landmark, has been offering authentic Native American arts and crafts to visitors for purchase since Fred Harvey opened its doors in 1904.

When you visit Hopi House, you will find a large selection of native arts and crafts available for purchase, such as kachina dolls, jewelry, handcrafted Navajo rugs, and authentic pueblo pottery. The second-floor gallery, which reopened to the public in 1995, offers a variety of museum-quality items. Hopi House is located on the Canyon rim and open year-round. Hours vary seasonally.

The main entrance is to the right, by the tree. The doors are very narrow and short, obviously not meant for modern Americans.

Here is some pretty neat looking pottery. Before you enter, you better have a fistful of cash, as this is not a place for tightwads. The large vase in the middle right is $550.

Neat little vignettes. Everything is for sale.

All kinds of neat trinkets.

More beautiful pottery.

Learn how to weave a coil basket in seven easy steps. The Bowl in the lower left/middle is $65.

An overview of the main room, notice the ceiling material.

Artsy shot and end of the Hopi House tour.

The famous El Tovar hotel. See picture from almost a hundred years ago below.

Before photo, shot sometime after opening, early 1900s. The following is from a local brochure: El Tovar Hotel, the premier lodging facility at the Grand Canyon, opened its doors in 1905 and was most recently renovated in 2005. In the past, the Hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Western author Zane Grey, and many others. Photo from NPS.

A different view.

This is the room off the front porch and entryway. In this view the entry doors are just out of view to the left. The newsstand is in the room ahead. As usual, everything is for sale, even the pictures on the walls! This is a very dark and spooky Lodge, or should we say "woodsy." I shot at ISO 3200, (but should've used ISO 6400) and did some massive shadow adjustments. A tough place to photograph.

If you were entering, the view of this fireplace is off to the right and to the back of the room. The gift shop is on the right, and so is the canyon rim outside.

This is guest registration, desk to the left. This is the next room in and about as far as they'll let you go unless you want dinner and/or booze. The dining room is to the right, and mezzanine stairway straight ahead.

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