Grand Canyon Trail to the Colorado River & Arizona Route 66

After extending our Arizona adventures with a side trip out to Sedona, we decided to make our final push back to Southern California by way of Route 66. Starting from Flagstaff, we made our way across the Mother Road, into the Hualapai Indian Nation and it was there that we found ourselves drawn to yet another side trip in the town of Peach Springs. For those of you who aren't familiar with the area, there is a 19 mile trail that starts from here and takes you all the way down to the Colorado River. Known as the Diamond Creek Trail, it is the only road that I know of that takes you to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and really, who can resist a trip like that? Here are pics from our 2nd side trip and long drive back home on Route 66. I hope you enjoy.

Starting our journey back home on a lonely stretch of the Mother Road...


Stopping over at the old Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs...








After acquiring our permits at the Hualapai Lodge, we made our way over to the Diamond Creek Trailhead...


So the sign says...


Cool rusting structure just past the trailhead...


Making our way down into the Grand Canyon...








Friendly burro that came to greet us along the way...


Did I mention that he was REALLY REALLY friendly...


After saying goodbye to our new four legged friend, we continued our way down into the canyon...






Coming up on the first of several small but nice water crossings...


Diamond Creek starting to look more like a flowing creek...


This length of trail was all through the creek...


At last, the cool waters of the Colorado River down at the bottom of the Grand Canyon...


Standing at the point where Diamond Creek empties into the Colorado River and looking west down the rapids...


Moby posing for a shot along the shores of the Colorado...


On a beach up river looking back down at Moby parked next to a couple of rafts...


Tessa jumping in to the cold waters to have some fun...


More pics below...

After spending a few hours relaxing down by the river, we headed back out to Route 66 and made our way over to Kingman where we had an outstanding BBQ dinner over at Redneck's...


On the road again, we pulled over to climb the steps up to Shaffer Fish Bowl Spring and feed the goldfish in it...








Standing at the Shaffer Fish Bowl Spring looking back at Moby and out across the twisty Route 66...


Driving slowly through the charming town of Oatman and trying to avoid all the landmines...




Shortly after crossing into California, we noticed that Moby was just about to hit a milestone in his life...


And then it happend, right in front of the school house in the old town of Goffs...






And that was the end of our Arizona adventures. I hope you enjoyed following along with us on our trip. If you would like to see all the pics we took along the way, simply click on the link below:

Grand Canyon Trail to the Colorado River & Arizona Route 66 Photo Gallery

So very cool!

I am so glad that you and Cindy continued onward with the AZ Adventure after we parted ways in PHX. Looks like you guys had some good times checking off a couple of the "must see" places. Next time we hit the southeast corner (Bisbee, Tombstone, Amado) :thumb:

Wish you many 100k miles to follow! Thanks for sharing Eddie! Great pics!
:clap2:
John

GCM 2 said:

I am so glad that you and Cindy continued onward with the AZ Adventure after we parted ways in PHX. Looks like you guys had some good times checking off a couple of the "must see" places. Next time we hit the southeast corner (Bisbee, Tombstone, Amado) :thumb:

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for sure!! hitting up the southeast corner would be awesome :thumb:

Another great set!

I've noticed the worse my day is, the longer I'm tempted to spend on here looking at yours and others' adventures. Nothing like looking at these while sitting in an office working on a crappy project. :naw:

Thanks for sharing! It gives me (and I assume others) something to add to the list and to look forward to doing one day, but in the meantime...it helps break up an otherwise tedious day. :yup:

Wow

I have to say you guys go to the most beautiful places. I really hope to one day drive out west and see all that is out there and wheel along the way. One of the many things on my Bucket List . Keep up the wheeling and I'm sure Moby has many many more miles to go.

MTG said:

I've noticed the worse my day is, the longer I'm tempted to spend on here looking at yours and others' adventures. Nothing like looking at these while sitting in an office working on a crappy project. :naw:

Thanks for sharing! It gives me (and I assume others) something to add to the list and to look forward to doing one day, but in the meantime...it helps break up an otherwise tedious day. :yup:

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:cheesy: well, I'm glad to know that we help keep you from doing work

sm_rubi said:

Man that looks like an adventure I'd love to do! Thanks for sharing those are some pretty sweet pictures and what a great way to stop and smell the coffee instead of having to rush home! :rock:

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yeah, being gone longer made catching up harder but really, it was totally worth it. :yup:

asbury1031 said:

I have to say you guys go to the most beautiful places. I really hope to one day drive out west and see all that is out there and wheel along the way. One of the many things on my Bucket List . Keep up the wheeling and I'm sure Moby has many many more miles to go.

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very cool - i hope it happens for you sooner than later.

Wow OK next time we go out we are not flying :doh: we are driving our Jeep out so we can have some fun.:rock:

the pics are great, id love to get out that way someday

Man it most be nice to wheel that often! I always look forword to your run reports.

Are you still running the stock engine?

KernHydro said:

Are you still running the stock engine?

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if you can believe it, yes, still running the original stock 3.8L v6 and manual transmission with original clutch. :yup:

wayoflife said:

if you can believe it, yes, still running the original stock 3.8L v6 and manual transmission with original clutch. :yup:

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I believe it, Cindys a damn good driver!

Thats just amazing eddie that ya still got all original , trans, transfer case( just assuming) and engine.

dammit, i live in the wrong country

very cool pics:clap2:

cu Alex :standing wave:

Looks like an awsome side trip. That metal structure is an old wigwam burner. Sawmills used to use them to get rid of there waste wood and bark. not sure if that was what that one was use for. They used to be all over the place here in oregon but most have been torn donw in the name of safety and whatnot.

That would be a great trip... It's been added to the bucket list...great pics

JandSJK said:

Looks like an awsome side trip. That metal structure is an old wigwam burner. Sawmills used to use them to get rid of there waste wood and bark. not sure if that was what that one was use for. They used to be all over the place here in oregon but most have been torn donw in the name of safety and whatnot.

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a wigwam burner? never heard the term or knew what it was for but, i have seen a few of these up in northern most regions of california. very interesting, thanks for teaching me something new :thumb:

I planning a similar trip at the end of the month. I've been doing some on line research about using the Diamond Trail. Some report "camping fees" of $37.+ per person. Does anyone know if this is also the "day use" fee? Seems a little steep to me.