This world we live in sure is wild.
And so I keep letting the Daily Dose fall through the cracks — at the current pace I should rebrand it to “Weekly Dose of the Southwest.” Gawd, that just does not have the same ring to it.
But seriously, for those of you that look forward to this in your inbox or RSS feed, I apologize, and please bear with me as I navigate a very hectic time. I am happy to report, however, that I’m spending more time in my beloved Northern Arizona. And you’ll be seeing new images from the high country in this space soon.
For today, it’s a Thursday Throwback to April 2012 and my first ever backpacking trip, in which somehow I ended up in a rugged and primitive section of Grand Canyon National Park.
After a long, knee-busting descent down the Boucher Trail on the first day, we slept at Boucher Camp — where “The Hermit” Louis Boucher once prospected for precious metals.
We didn’t find any gold there, unless you count the golden morning light cast upon Marsh Butte and yellow Brittlebush blooms that revealed themselves to us the next morning. I somehow captured this frame just feet from the Tonto Trail before setting off on another beautifully arduous day of lugging a 45-pound pack around the Big Ditch.
If that sounds painful, it sure as hell is. But as they say, you gotta pay to play, at least when it comes to finding the wonders hidden in the Canyon’s depths.
-Jake
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