#35 - Bright Angel Trail - GCNP

Bright Angel Trail from the Rivers Edge

Bottoms up! While many are inclined to hike all, or a portion of, Bright Angel Trail from the top down (access at the South Rim), our opportunity was from the bottom up! We were at day 4 of our raft trip, so this stop was intended for those departing the raft to hike the 10 miles out - and those joining the raft to hike the 10 miles in!

While this transition took place, part of our group enjoyed a hike along portions of the Bright Angel, River, and South Kaibab Trails; exploring the river area and Phantom Ranch. My brother and I took off with the group that was hiking out, hiking 4 miles along the river, streams, and up Bright Angel Trail, meeting with the new group coming in, and hiking the 4 miles back.

River Landing at Black Bridge

Black Bridge - looking toward the river landing

Silver Bridge - our crossing for Bright Angel Trail

We started off at the two bridge crossings that allow for North Rim to South Rim travel. Black Bridge ties to the South Kaibab trail, whereas Silver Bridge is part of Bright Angel. These are the only river crossings for hundreds of miles.

Tom and I shoved off, not certain what we were in store for. However, for the first mile or so, the trail hugged the river and made for some beautiful views - and cooler temps as we had got an early start.

The start - Bright Angel Trail

We cut away from the river to begin our ascent. There were a couple of streams nearby which allowed for a cool down as necessary.

 

 

We then hit the area of switchbacks, which provided for a good workout and some nice views! At this point, we were still unsure how far we would go before we met the group coming down. We expected a minimum of 5 miles.

The four day raft group hiking out

Point where we had accounted for all of new rafters coming in

4 miles out - turn around point!

We made our way back down to join the others. A cold beer, our group together, and now some new friends on the raft. Let the journey continue!

“We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.” 

~ John Wesley Powell - Led the first expedition through the Grand Canyon

We made camp at RM110. While tents went up, we slept under the stars each night. The rushing river and shooting stars made for a great nights sleep.

#34 - The Granaries at Nankoweap - Marble Canyon

Arizona's "America the Beautiful" Quarter - The Granaries at Nankoweap

There are many side canyons and deltas that make up - and lead to - the Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon represented the beginning of our river adventure, beginning at Lee's Ferry (River Mile 0) and transitioning to the Grand Canyon at RM62. It is a beautiful area, where the Colorado river ran clear, where we experienced our only rain of the monsoon season, and where we were able to get ashore on a few occasions for fun and some cool hikes.

Marble Canyon (RM32 South Canyon)

We stopped at South Canyon for a short hike to see Indian artifacts that remain in the area. Pottery shards and various drawings were seen here and it made for an interesting stop.

 

Further downstream, we came upon Redwall Cavern, with its sandy beach. This large, cavernous area was a perfect place to explore, throw a frisbee, and gaze at this mass of red rock which made up the cavern walls and ceiling. The scale of this place was huge!

It was at our last stop, Nankoweap, and our campground for the night, that I enjoyed most this day. The whole area was beautiful. Many cactus and colors - and the hike to the granaries made for spectacular views.

Getting this hike started!

The granaries were used by the ancient Anasazi Indians to store seed and protect them from vermin and rot.

The four granaries in center of photo

2010 Arizona "America the Beautiful" quarter

It was a great day. We had our only showers this day, and a booming thunderstorm at night. We started the night under the stars, when thunder rumbled through the canyon, echoing off the walls. It was the one time we used the tent - just until the storm passed.

Our campground below

The hiking was great. The Canyon, the exploration, the river, the wildlife, the rumbling thunder. But it would not have been half as fun without these people. This was just day 2 and we were having a blast!

Keep hiking, friends!

#33 - South Rim - Grand Canyon National Park

First Glimpse

 I was never sure I would ever make it to the Grand Canyon. I mean, here I am 50 years old and I had not made it there yet. Then a friend called, and another, and soon we had a group signed up for an eight day, 225 mile Colorado river raft trip through the canyon. All of a sudden, I was quite excited to go see, and explore, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The stage was actually set the night before we arrived. After landing in Phoenix, we met my brother in Sedona, took a drive along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, and with the sun setting, got one hike in to Cathedral Rock. A perfect way to kick it all off!

Sunset hike to Cathedral Rock

Working our way up

Sunset - Cathedral Rock

We arrived at the Grand Canyon about midnight. A long day of travel made for a welcome bed. When we awoke, we stepped outside to get our bearings. Little did we know the canyon was literally 50 feet from our lodge!

A great way to wake up!

Right off the bat, we saw wildlife. With coffee in hand, and in the first 20 minutes, we came across our first of many ravens, a mule-eared deer, and a California Condor!

One of many ravens throughout the canyon

Mule-Eared Deer

One of two California Condors we saw

But hiking and exploring is what we came to do, and we took a shuttle 8 miles out to the end of Hermits Rest. This allowed us to hike back to the Village, and it turned out to be a great choice. We had a bright, beautiful day, and as we started at the far end, the crowds were low. In many areas, we had the views to ourselves.

Getting started at Hermits Rest

As we hiked along the canyon's rim, we came upon view after stunning view. Pima Point, Monument Creek, The Abyss, Mohave, Hopi and Powell points were all beautiful. With glimpses of the Colorado river, it showed just how expansive the canyon really is.

A glimpse of the Colorado River

 

Trail conditions were great. In most cases, you hugged the rim of the canyon, however, the trail would wind inwards offering differing views. It was warm, and plenty of water was required. A breeze whipped through the canyon, and a cool draft from time to time reminded you of being at an elevation of 7000 feet.

We enjoyed a six mile hike this first day. Each view, each turn was like a picture book. You could not help but stop and stare - and go back to the rim to look again!

Water break

We wound the day down. Decided to catch the sunset at Yaki Point. We could not believe the first day we had just had.

Bull Elk on the way to Yaki Point

The colors change in front of you...

The reds become deeper...

Just beautiful.

Keep Hiking, Friends.