I Hiked the Grand Canyon

[DonDavis]

I've only been to the Canyon once before and that was with my son's 4th grade class. This trip was certainly more challenging.

We camped at Mather Campground in the park on Friday and Saturday night. Temps were in the low 30's overnight and awesome 80's during the day.

My friend hikes "Rim Cubed" on a very regular basis. That's south rim to north rim and back to south rim in one shot. But she's crazy. This was a short jaunt for her. I work out and run fairly regularly and hike occasionally. I'm in decent shape and was about to challenge that.

The route was South Kaibab trail down to Phantom Ranch and back up Bright Angel trail. Total distance was about 18 miles and nearly 10,000 feet elevation change. We packed everything we needed for the day. We cruised down South Kaibab and passed 2 separate packs of mules that were going up. We saw 2 Condors that were flying very close. I would guess about 150 feet above me at closest. Amazing birds and HUGE!

The sign behind me warns against attempting rim to river and back in one day. Something about others have died trying it.



By the time she got out the camera, they were leaving...


We really took our time on the way down. I was stopping and looking around a lot. Simply incredible views.



First view of the Colorado.



At the bottom about to enter the tunnel leading to a bridge built in 1928. It's the only way the mules can get to Phantom Ranch. Btw, the employees at the ranch hike down as well. I'm guessing they stay for their work-week and then hike out.




more...

[DonDavis]

Had to buy a beer at the bottom. This is a different bridge to get back onto the Bright Angel trail.


Nearing the top of the Devil's Corkscrew.


3/4 mile from the end.


The end. She said "Ok, lets go back." No thanks.


The trail going up was very tough. We had a lot of shade and that helped. I must admit, I was really feeling it. But my friend was pressing on and I'm glad she did. We were off trail at 5pm exactly.
My hip flexors were tightening up on every step. There were water stops every 1.5 miles after Indian Gardens But we only rested once. Back at the campground we hit the showers and headed into town for dinner. Got back to camp about 9pm and was asleep by 9:30.
We packed up early Sunday and I was home by noon.
Overall it was awesome. Physically I was sore but nothing too awful.
I want to do it again but camp at Phantom Ranch and spend most of the day hiking out.

Anyone else hiked the Canyon?

[Evans, Marv]

Great pictures. I did the same thing in '69 but in the opposite direction and overnighted at Phantom Ranch. Coming up the Bright Angle Trail is better because there is more water along it. It was a fun trip. We flew over from the S.D. area & back in a Cessna 172(?) I remember well the freezing water in a stream near the ranch we jumped into the afternoon we got there.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Anyone else hiked the Canyon?

Great shots!

I've oared it twice as a boatman...I was oaring the baggage raft.

It looks as great looking up as it does looking down.

[Joeaksa]

Did it once but that was years ago. Sure looks nice!

[Geary]

Those great photos bring back memories. Did The River (on my $11 inflatable air bed) as far as Phantom Ranch and then hiked out, throwing my knee out half-way up the trail. It was a great overall adventure, but a long final afternoon ..

Edit
Oh .. yes, looking up is great. I spent hours floating on my back, looking up at the rim, watching hawks & eagles ..

[trekkor]

Thanks for posting.

I really want to go back and do some hiking there.
We just looked around from the top after taking the train in.


KT

[dennis in se pa]

It is an amazing place. Should be on everyone's list. Nice pics.

[ckissick]

That's on the top of my list.

[ckissick]

For an encore, you should do Half Dome, if you haven't already.

[Rick Lee]

That's on my list. They sure find a lot of bodies there each year. A few of them are folks who fall, but most seem to be overconfident and unprepared hikers who get hurt in the middle of nowhere or don't know what they're doing and get in over their heads.

[john70t]

Those overlooks are incredible. Nice pics.
Been to Yosemite, but the Grand Canyon has been added to the bucket list.

If you ever feel the need to conquer more, try parts of the Appalachian Trail (Maine to Georgia).

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by john70t

If you ever feel the need to conquer more, try parts of the Appalachian Trail (Maine to Georgia).

I hike the Va. portion of that all the time, great hikes.

[mikeesik]

Thank you for sharing those photographs.
Maybe one day....

[gduke2010]

I'll have to take a trito the Canyon someday, great pics.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I hike the Va. portion of that all the time, great hikes.

I once spent a couple weeks doing the Vermont section w/sister.
She hiked the whole thing in two campaigns.
I definitely do mean campaign.
Up and down, struggling to make even 10 miles a day to next campsite by dusk when it turns really cold.
G'Dang trees. G'Dang nature.

Some young psychos have done the whole thing in a single bout, walking at a crazy marathon pace. There are film documentaries on that.
Not I.

Sending MREs ahead to a pick-up point was a lifesaver.
Maps, coms, granola, water, good boots, and wool under nylon...always

[5String43]

It's a great trip. My wife Laura and I did this a number of years ago, down and back on Kaibab, in one day. Not easy, but satisfying. Ice cream cone at the top makes it all better.

[vash]

i want to do this...but more so my wife. it is on her bucket list. i dont think she will make it. i see a long stay "down there" with me feeding her potassium pills and doing sports messages on her.

[john70t]

Good hubby. Mountain is moved one shovel at a time.

[azasadny]

Beautiful! Thanks for the pictures!