Cameron to Tusayan (Grand Canyon) 101 km

Early morning in the dessert

The Grand Canyon south rim rises about 2250 meter above sea level, the Colorado River runing through it lies 1500 meters down. For us that meant a heavy climb, we had to gain 1000 meters in altitude. As it was always going up and then down agaoin, we estimated, that we did about 2000 meters, sometimes with headwind. It was a tough ride, starting early morning in the dessert, then climbing over about 55 km. But very interesting! At one point we drove over a little mountain range and all of a sudden, the dessert was gone and forest had taken its place. First with small, twisted ceddar trees, but the gratualy became taller and taller with pine trees mixed in. The air got again icy, in the forest we saw snow patches. After 55 km the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. It costs 12 dollars per bicycle to get in. A few minutes later, the first outlook to this natural wonder, the Grand Canyon.

The first trees

We stood there, looking down with emotions and happiness. To reach the canyon by our own force had been one off the goals we definitly wanted to reach.

From the first glinpse into the canyon, the road follows the rim for about 40 km, through wonderful smelling forest, from time to time an outlook comes, where one can see the ever changing canyon below. We saw deer on the road, not at all afraid of bikers and over the canyon condors circling. 



The first view of the canyon

 As it was weekend, all hotels in Grand Canyon village were full. So we had to drive another 10 km south to the next village, Tusayan, were there are many hotels. This evening our criteria for the hotel was, does it have a Jaccuzzi or not. We found one with and had a wondeful relaxing bath, todays tour had been very exhausting and it was nice to just sit in the warm water and relax.