big man tips

VISHNU TRAIL: A Tiny Trek on the Edge of the Grand Canyon. A hiker on the Vishnu Trail approaches G.C. views. Whether hiked as an inspirational appetizer, warm up walk or add-on trek while exploring around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near the town of Tusayan, the Vishnu Trail is a quick and easy diversion with tantalizing views and opportunities to engage with the Arizona Trail.   Vishnu Trail connects with the Arizona Trail The hike begins directly under the Grandview Lookout Tower, where the well-marked path heads north through wildlife-rich pine-oak woodlands and shrubby enclaves.   After roughly a quarter-mile, glimpses of the hazy, russet chasm begin to appear through the trees. Grandview Lookout under stormy skies. Yes, we got soaked! An oak-shaded passage on the Vishnu Trail. As the trail progresses to its overlook spur, scenic vistas unwrap like unexpected gifts that surprise and thrill.   Vishnu Temple (right) seen from the trail overlook. A metal gate mark...

CLOVER SPRING Williams Clover Spring On a mountain with no shortage of summit-busting hiking trails, it takes will power to swerve off the epic routes onto one with a subtler kind of charisma. Whether bypassed due to time constraints, bad weather or dwindling supplies, secondary routes often get ignored in favor of heavily travelled arterial trails. Clover Spring Trail #46 epitomizes the joy to be found on the little trails that compete for love with the summit routes on Bill Williams Mountain. Trough at Clover Spring More an option than a diversion, this shady, moderate path is toggled to challenging Bill Williams Mountain Trail #21 and can be hiked as either a short loop or an alternative leg that adds less than a mile to the standard summit route. The "C"-shaped connector moves through beautiful woodlands overlooking the city of Williams. A short section of climbing among lichen-cloaked boulders precedes the arrival at a rustic concrete trough marking Clover Spring. Don...