gc railway, bright angel trail, kolb studio

Staying on South Village Loop brings you at a crossing for Grand Canyon Railway. It connects to various relay points around the park as well as a ferry to Williams. I set a reminder to check out the WIlliams Train Station before leaving the area.

After the crossing, Bright Angel Trailhead starts, hugging along the South Rim. Continuing along the pathway eventually leads to the historical Kolb Studio.

This is the Victorian era home of the Kolb Brothers who created a lasting legacy of adventure, exploration, family love, and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the canyon itself.

Stepping into the lower level of the cliff dwelling opens to a gallery of artifacts, canvases, and archived stories encapsulating their lifelong pursuit of creative documentation.

Photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb helped turn the Grand Canyon into a national icon. The brothers began to take photographs of the mule riders from a small toll shack on the Bright Angel Trail. The toll shack would later become today's five story home, theater and photo studio built right on the edge of the canyon! The studio was used to document the trips of visitors and create imagery of Grand Canyon for 75 years.

After exiting from the lower level, you can see the studio from the opposite side, and walk down to the overlook to view the Havasupai Gardens.

The Gardens are like a colorful yarn connecting one plane of elevation to another. In 2022 the Gardens were renamed to accurately communicate the legacy of the Havasupai Tribe, and bridge understanding to those enjoying it today.