Grand Canyon

The day after our snowy hike in Oak Creek Canyon, the sun came out.  We headed to the Grand Canyon, a little over an hour north of Flagstaff.

A number of signs warned of mistakes to avoid:  DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day!  Over 250 people are rescued from the Grand Canyon every year!  Remember that it will take at least twice as long to return to the rim as it takes to reach your turnaround point!

We decided on the Bright Angel trail, which has a few landmarks that remind you how far you’ve gone.  The 1.5 Mile Resthouse seemed achievable:  a three mile round trip with a 1131 vertical foot change in elevation.  The first part was challenging:  icy, narrow switchbacks slowed our progress, but as we got lower on the trail and the day grew warmer, the walk became easier.

We met backpackers who were just emerging from the Canyon after a two day hike from the rim to the bottom and back, a 75 year old man who has done that trek every year for the last 20 years, and a couple who spent the night at a lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and was about to finish their second day of hiking back at the south rim.

Maybe next year?