On June 14th I went out to Hopi Point to view the sunset, but not before grabbing a few shots around Grand Canyon Village.

These tall Ponderosa Pines are the most common trees to be found in the forests along the south rim and the Coconino Plateau.

The Grand Canyon Railway was established before the first automobiles came to the south rim, and if it wasn’t for the train, today’s tourist centers may have develped elsewhere, like Grandview Point or Hermit’s Rest. The train still makes daily trips to the village from Williams, Arizona.

Colter Hall, the all-female employee housing dormitory, only a few feet from the rim.

The El Tovar Hotel

This patio looks out on the canyon.

Kachina and Thunderbird Lodges sit close to the rim as well.

…as does Kolb Studio.

Sunset at Hopi Point

As you can see, Hopi Point is one of the most popular places to view a sunset at the Grand Canyon. Here in mid-summer, it takes on the atmosphere of a gathering in anticipation of Fourth of July fireworks.

Under clear skies these sunsets all begin to look the same – especially from a photographer’s perspective at this crowded viewpoint – so I find a picturesque tree.