We’re currently on Interstate 40 heading toward Arizona after spending about 50 miles on a section of the original Route 66. Yesterday was a busy day of hiking. 6.6 miles total on four separate hikes. The most spectacular one was to the top of Ryan Mountain. It climbed almost 1,000 feet in elevation in a mile and a half. The reward is a 360 degree view of the park. The other hikes were shorter and flatter. Hidden Valley takes you into a dead end canyon where cattle used to graze. We attempted to take another trail to a former mine, but with only a half hour of daylight left and only stacks of rocks to follow, we decided to head back to the car. After viewing the sunset from a rock pile along the main road through the park, we checked into Harmony Motel (who’s most famous guests were the members of U2). We then headed into Twentynine Palms for dinner at Bistro 29. In these remote locations it’s important to find a place that doesn’t close at 8pm.
Three and a half hours until the Grand Canyon! We should be there in time for sunset.