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On our last day in Grand Canyon National Park, we hopped the Hermit Road shuttle to the Western edge of the park and Hermit’s Rest. Hermit Road follows the rim trail for 7 miles, with several stops along the way at scenic overlooks. Mary Colter, one of the few female architects of her time, designed Hermit’s Rest in 1914. It served as a rest stop on a stage coach line.
Colter’s buildings throughout the park are designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. Hermit’s Rest was made to look like something a hermit would build with boulders from the canyon. Now a visitors center, it is part of the Mary Jane Colter Buildings National Historic Landmark.
Brush and trees largely obstruct the views of the canyon from here. Ravens, which are common in Grand Canyon National Park, love Hermit’s Rest. There were a lot of them here and they were friendly enough to pose for photos with us (though once they figured out we weren’t going to feed them, they moved on to the next tourist.)
We decided to walk the rim trail part of the way back to Grand Canyon Village. Along the way we found stunning views of the canyon from Yuma and Pima Points. We were the only people on the trail and at the lookouts…this was the peaceful and awesome Grand Canyon experience we’d been longing for! At Pima Point, about a mile and a half East of Hermit’s Rest, the sun was getting low and we were able to hop on the last shuttle back to the village.
Location: Arizona
Designation: National Park
Date designated/established: January 11, 1908
Date of my visit: August 21, 2014
A stunning display along this trail and at Hermit’s Rest. We enjoyed the cocoa and cookies, before walking part of the Hermit Trail. Happy Easter T. Allan
Thanks and Happy Easter to you as well, Allan!😀
Your photos bring back some good memories of our trips to Grand Canyon. 😊 Hard to believe it’s been 8 years since your visit – lots of water under the proverbial bridge since then.
Thanks! Yes, eight years! Time flies. Would love to return
Wonderful post and pictures. Makes us want to go back!
Thanks! Yes, we’d love to go back too😊
A magnificent place. I hope to visit sometime.
It is one of my favorite places 😊
Glorious views! I haven’t been to the south rim since 1974. Might go this fall, with a little luck.
Thanks 😊 I hope you get to return.
A return to the South Rim is always welcome.
My goodness! What an exquisite place to visit. Talk about postcard perfect pics!
Thanks so much! This was our favorite spot on the South Rim
Such a magical place! Rafting on the Colorado River is amazing. Did you do the North Rim too?
Not yet, though we came close at pipe springs national monument
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