The Hermit Road was undergoing some much-needed reconstruction in the summer of 2008. It had been accessible as far as Hopi Point, but as of July 7th, the entire road (And all its viewpoints) were to be closed until Novermber.

So in the evenings of the first days of July, I made it a priority to get out there as much as possible.

This is Powell Point as seen from Hopi Point. If you look very closely you can see some people standing up there.

If you look closely this time, you can see the Powell Memorial.

This must be one of the last photos of these double-length shuttle buses in operation. When the old Hermit Road closed for the season, these buses were retired with it.

If I’m not mistaken, Hopi Point has the highest elevation of any point along the Hermit Road.

…and it draws the biggest crowds for sunset, by far.

Rather than wait in line and squeeze into a crammed bus, I lingered about the rim for a while, walking east to Powell Point.

looking west now, back toward Hopi Point

Out there is good old Mount Trumbull, visible from a wide range of places along the south rim.

The Powell Memorial – John Wesley Powell led the first expedition down the length of the Colorado River, including all the Grand Canyon.

…and back to Maswick Lodge for a tasty dinner.