Stairs, Steps and Trails

These are photos of a few stairs, steps and trails. The first shows the geometry of the layers in the staircase leading to the Opera Relais B&B in Messina, Italy. Second, is the curved iron staircase that winds to the top of the Pensacola Light House in Florida. Light from above and a small side wall window is reflected through the gird of the staircase and off the curved brick walls creating interesting color patterns. Third, is a picturesque photo of two neighbor girls' water shoes on their back step. Next are two sections of Bright Angle Trail that extends 3,700 feet down into the Grand Canyon from the South Rim. The shock of stepping down hundreds (if not thousands) of times as you hike into the canyon can be harder on your legs than the climb back up. Hiking poles can help ease stepping down as well as the climb back up. A trail at the east end of Yosemite Valley takes you to Vernal Fall 1,000 feet above the valley floor (and to Nevada Fall beyond). The last 100 yards is not only very steep and narrow with tricky footing, but it is also wet from spray off the the fall - thus the title "Mist Trail." The hike down and up Red Rock Mountain on the trail just feet from Kitchen Creek to experience the 20 plus water falls in Ricketts Glen State Park (east of Williamsport, PA) is treacherous in many places due to a combination of the uneven surface, tree roots, mud and wet slippery rocks.