Just below O’Neill Saddle as the S. Kaibab Trail descends like a twisting artery into the Canyon’s heart, rises a plume of red dust from a switchback far below. Supai dust-once a muddy shoreline, hardened by passing eons, now ground to powder and liberated into the warm morning air by the passing of iron-clad hooves.
Hikers step aside as this parade of Canyon veterans passes by. First one, then two, then three strings of sure-footed mules approach, leaning hard into the grade, focused on their task, rhythmically making their way upward through Watahogomii, Manakacha, and Wescogame. Leather creaking, trickles of sweat seeping from under their heavy cargo load, the dusty air filled with their signature equine scent.
Mules care not for names ascribed by geologists, nor for the number of miles on their shoes. What they know are the towering rock walls on one side of the trail and the abyss on the other. Their hooves find the sweet spot in between. And they know they have a purpose. Just one more uphill trudge to the corral, where they’ll be relieved of their heavy load, and rewarded with a fine supper and a good night’s rest.
Studio painting for 2023 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art. Contact Dawn for more information.
Just below O’Neill Saddle as the S. Kaibab Trail descends like a twisting artery into the Canyon’s heart, rises a plume of red dust from a switchback far below. Supai dust-once a muddy shoreline, hardened by passing eons, now ground to powder and liberated into the warm morning air by the passing of iron-clad hooves.
Hikers step aside as this parade of Canyon veterans passes by. First one, then two, then three strings of sure-footed mules approach, leaning hard into the grade, focused on their task, rhythmically making their way upward through Watahogomii, Manakacha, and Wescogame. Leather creaking, trickles of sweat seeping from under their heavy cargo load, the dusty air filled with their signature equine scent.
Mules care not for names ascribed by geologists, nor for the number of miles on their shoes. What they know are the towering rock walls on one side of the trail and the abyss on the other. Their hooves find the sweet spot in between. And they know they have a purpose. Just one more uphill trudge to the corral, where they’ll be relieved of their heavy load, and rewarded with a fine supper and a good night’s rest.
Studio painting for 2023 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art. Contact Dawn for more information.