We Don't Need No Stinking Mules - A Day In The Canyon

Our plan included 2 nights at Phantom which allowed us a day to hike a couple of trails. We began with Clear Creek trail which we took up to some great views of the Colorado River and our trail for the next morning. Bucky built a cairn dude which will hopefully be there for a long time.



Bucky showing the proper hiking form.

Atlas-like effort to keep the trail clear of rock debris.

While on the trail we were treated to a fly over by 2 condors. I had my wide angle lens on the camera so you pretty much have to take my word for it, but it was great.



Later in the day Pam and I did the river trail which has you walk from the silver bridge along the canyon to the black bridge and around. Don't tell the rangers, but we were able to dip our feet in the Colorado before heading back.

On our return we headed in for a beer at the cantina and ran into part of the group which included Russ. One of their group made the mistake of asking a ranger what they thought about going up the South Kaibab trail. The rangers tell everyone NOT to go up the South Kaibab trail as there is no potable water to be had until you reach the top some 8 miles later. This became a little problem as the ranger ordered their group to leave at 3 AM to give them the best chance of success. There was talk of disobeying the ranger, but nobody knew whether that could lead to arrest so they gave in.

We all gathered for one more meal as a group.

Next up is the hike out.

Be well and more soon....

We Don't Need No Stinking Mules! The Hike Into The Grand Canyon.

I'm at a loss for words to describe what a significant event hiking rim to rim in the Grand Canyon was. Rather than wax poetic I think I'll just recount the trip as a starting place.

We flew into Vegas last Thursday and were whisked away to the van rental place. Our group of 18 split into a group of 8 headed to the South Rim and our group of ten headed to the North Rim. We opted for the slightly longer route that allowed us to drive through Zion National Park. I would have been all over getting in early enough to get a hike in, but we were on a run to get to Jacob Lake for the night.

We arrived at Jacob Lake Inn cabins and settled in. Settling in for Rhonda on a hiking trip requires Duck Farts. I passed on the duck farts, but had a couple of Zion Canyon Virgin Stouts instead. We also noticed that we were sharing the area with at least 15 Turkey Vultures.

The next morning we headed into to the park and headed out the long road to Imperial Point for some photo ops. Our driver Bucky dropped us at the North Rim Lodge at a little before noon and headed to the South Rim to meet up with the other group.

We attempted to listen to the Ranger talk on the geology of the Grand Canyon, but the wind was blowing at about 30 MPH and making it impossible to hear her. We had dinner and scrambled down to Bright Angel Point for the sunset.

Pam and I were up at 3:30 and walking to the trailhead at 4 AM. We walked maybe 1/2 mile when the shuttle driver saw us walking up the road - turned around and gave us a ride to the trailhead which saved us a little over a mile of walking. 4:15 we headed down the North Kaibab (KI BAB) trail for what was to be a little more than 16 miles with side trips to Phantom Ranch. Our goal was to get to Phantom Ranch before the heat of the day. We arrived at 11:05 AM - thirsty and a little tired but no worse for wear.

 

Our side trips included Roaring Springs which was missable and Ribbon Falls which isn't. They added a little more than 2 miles to the journey.

The rest of our north to south group headed down at 6 or a little later and ended up ducking the sun at Ribbon Falls for a while and arrived at 4 PM. The last section of the trail is known as "The Box." It is a steep box canyon that gets very hot once the sun comes over the top. Pam and I had the shade, but we could see the sun line just 2 or 3 feet off the trail threatening us all the way.

A shower and a couple of Grand Canyon Wheat Beers at the cantina later we were right as rain and basking in the now 100+ temperature at Phantom Ranch. Our hike started at 8200 feet and ended up at 2500.

That's the story of the walk down. Look forward to the hikes down in  and the hike out.

Be well and more soon....