Danehunter
Well-Known Member
Just back yesterday after climbing up from the Grand Canyon's Indian Garden campsite and driving to my place in the 'Vegas valley.
Len and I checked off a bucket list North Rim-to-South Rim backpack this week. We started Monday around 10 AM after a 4 1/2 hour shuttle from the South Rim. As we started down it was 41 F. so we donned our rain parkas but less than an hour later as we descended the North Kaibab Trail we had to take them off, and our gloves.
It seemed that every bend revealed a new and spectacular view. And this was true of the entire hike. That afternoon we pulled into Cottonwood campground, set up our tents, mattresses and sleeping bags. Always our first order of business - just in case the weather turns. And it did turn just after we had cleaned up our dinner utensils. Light rain drove us into our tents around 4:30 PM and it did not stop until 7 AM the next morning, just in time for breakfast.
Then we were off and down again to Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel campground as the clouds dispersed and the sun came out.
At the Phantom Ranch canteen I scored a much appreciated "Bright Angel IPA" (True story. I have the can label on my water bottle.).
On to our campsite to set up tents and cook dinner and marvel at the scenery.
Off Wednesday to cross the Colorado River suspension footbridge and on up, up to our last camp at Indian Garden. As at the previous campsites the NPS generously provided us with a picnic table, and at this camp also a roofed shelter over the table!
Thursday was off and up (and up) to the South Rim. We made it to the top around 1 PM and finally to a pizza at a nearby food court after picking up my car at the parking lot.
So this may sound like just a lot of down-and-up hiking, which it was. But it was SO much more. The wildlife we saw like a big 10 point buck on the Kaibab Trail, fantastic vistas, precipetous trails with potentially fatal drops, fantastic vistas, friendly hikers and backpackers, fantastic vistas, mule trains of people on their own trips, fantastic vistas - well, you get the idea.
This was my second Grand Canyon backpack but first time on the Kaibab Trail. Thank you Len for inviting me on this trip. We balanced each other out on descent and ascent paces and still managed to hike together, sore knees, sore muscles etc., all the while thoroughly enjoying this "grand" place.
Eric B.
Len and I checked off a bucket list North Rim-to-South Rim backpack this week. We started Monday around 10 AM after a 4 1/2 hour shuttle from the South Rim. As we started down it was 41 F. so we donned our rain parkas but less than an hour later as we descended the North Kaibab Trail we had to take them off, and our gloves.
It seemed that every bend revealed a new and spectacular view. And this was true of the entire hike. That afternoon we pulled into Cottonwood campground, set up our tents, mattresses and sleeping bags. Always our first order of business - just in case the weather turns. And it did turn just after we had cleaned up our dinner utensils. Light rain drove us into our tents around 4:30 PM and it did not stop until 7 AM the next morning, just in time for breakfast.
Then we were off and down again to Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel campground as the clouds dispersed and the sun came out.
At the Phantom Ranch canteen I scored a much appreciated "Bright Angel IPA" (True story. I have the can label on my water bottle.).
On to our campsite to set up tents and cook dinner and marvel at the scenery.
Off Wednesday to cross the Colorado River suspension footbridge and on up, up to our last camp at Indian Garden. As at the previous campsites the NPS generously provided us with a picnic table, and at this camp also a roofed shelter over the table!
Thursday was off and up (and up) to the South Rim. We made it to the top around 1 PM and finally to a pizza at a nearby food court after picking up my car at the parking lot.
So this may sound like just a lot of down-and-up hiking, which it was. But it was SO much more. The wildlife we saw like a big 10 point buck on the Kaibab Trail, fantastic vistas, precipetous trails with potentially fatal drops, fantastic vistas, friendly hikers and backpackers, fantastic vistas, mule trains of people on their own trips, fantastic vistas - well, you get the idea.
This was my second Grand Canyon backpack but first time on the Kaibab Trail. Thank you Len for inviting me on this trip. We balanced each other out on descent and ascent paces and still managed to hike together, sore knees, sore muscles etc., all the while thoroughly enjoying this "grand" place.
Eric B.
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