Looking down Cathedral Stairs on Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, circa 1940

Subjects: Horses National & State Parks
Card type: Linen
Date: Postmarked June 3, 1925 (White Border)

Back of Looking down Cathedral Stairs on Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, circa 1940, 1925 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

A mule train with riders descends a narrow, rock-walled switchback trail below the rim of the Grand Canyon, with the striped red and buff strata of the canyon walls filling the background. The card names the spot as the Cathedral Stairs on the Hermit Trail, one of the early rim-to-river routes developed by the Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey company in the early 20th century, where saddle mules carried tourists down into the canyon.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

Went in Sunday 12 M arrived noon summer budget - on the go - St running in two - many thanks for the wonderful

PublisherFred Harvey

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA. H-1505. LOOKING DOWN CATHEDRAL STAIRS ON HERMIT TRAIL. --- POST CARD A-99457 FRED HARVEY Hermit Rim Road is a driveway 30 feet wide, built of crushed stone rolled to a smooth hard surface and sprinkled with crude oil. It leads from El Tovar Hotel to the head of Hermit Trail. From there a wide bridle path that can hardly be called a trail, of a comfortable grade and with substantial wall on the outer edge, leads into the canyon. At the first level is Hermit Camp, maintained for those desiring to remain a while in the depths of the great chasm. THIS SPACE MAY BE USED FOR MESSAGE. THIS SIDE FOR THE ADDRESS.

PostmarkedJune 3, 1925, 18:30

Addressed to

Mrs. A. B. Phelps

Morris Otsego Co. New York

Postcard record

Postmarked	June 3, 1925, 18:30
Publisher	Fred Harvey
Series	H-1505
Condition	Good
Stamp	2c George Washington, red
Notes	White border; visible linen/halftone mesh texture; scan is rotated 90 degrees; light edge and corner wear. Postmark: LOS ANGELES CALIF JUN 3 630PM 1925. Divided-back linen-era card with white border; Fred Harvey imprint, printed Hermit Rim Road caption, 2¢ Washington stamp; light edge wear and slight soiling.

Cite this card

Looking down Cathedral Stairs on Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, circa 1940, postcard, n.d.. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/looking-down-cathedral-stairs-on-hermit-trail-grand-canyon-n. Accessed October 25, 2026.