In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Yellow.”

Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon

I was surprised by the winter yellow/gold of cottonwood trees in the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  In this desert environment, the cottonwood grows close to creeks and streams, especially along Bright Angel Creek as shown here.  Snow covered Indian Gardens Campground the next night, just a few thousand feet higher in elevation.

Hiking up Bright Angel Trail two days later. No winter gold to be seen up here.