...of course we were up bright and early...to cram all of our stuff into the trunk of the rental car and drive the few miles up to the Canyon Rim...you can tell I'm being really helpful there with the camera...I actually did put the camera away and help him get everything situated...it was such a tight fit because we had to store all of our luggage for the trip home in the car as well...
...we stopped at the entrance sign and took a couple of photos...they even had a little stand for your camera...very thoughtful of them...
...then we purchased our park pass...
...and then...
...we had our first awe-inspiring glimpse of the canyon...WOW!...
...it was just as spectacular as you always thought it was...and even so much more impressive than the National Geographic specials made it out to be...
...the drop-offs from the rim are pretty spectacular as well...we cautioned the boys once again that once we are on the trail there will be absolutely no horsing around...
...a plaque to Stephen Tyng Mather...
...the critters were surprisingly tame...or at least very used to human interaction...
...we were advised by the rangers to buy crampons before starting down the icy trail...so we strapped those on...
...and headed down Bright Angel Trail...
...the official 'BEFORE' picture...
...this is the back of my pack...that little tent is sort of awkward...but it's nice and light...only about 2 lbs...
...heading downhill...through the first tunnel...
...the icy path...crampons are definitely necessary...you don't want to slip and then slide off the edge...
...the mule train comes up once a day with the mail...and the wrangler shouts instructions at the hikers to take to the inside wall...the mules will indiscriminately knock you off the trail if you're on the outside...YIKES!...
...one of many many hairpin turns...
...the shadow line...it seemed like the sun was always just a few feet away...but we walked most of the day in the shadow...
...some sheer rock cliffs...
...really impressive...
...and natural scenery that looks just like a movie set...
...Scout's unusual resting position...
...red rock outcroppings...it's amazing how quickly the colours of the rocks change as you continue downward...
...we were above these circling ravens just about an hour ago...
...amazing...just amazing...
...some more wildlife...up close and personal...
...my first step into the sunshine...and the first time today that I've cast a shadow...
...continuing down the trail in the sunshine...
...some sweet deer just a few feet from the trail...they look up when you pass...but they don't even start or try to run away...
...a little stream...that you can hear a long way off...it's so quiet...
...this is the trail winding past Indian Gardens...which was a lush oasis with a stream and waterfall...
...we crossed this same stream about 5 times...
...and paused for some pack adjustment...
...Indian Gardens is just gorgeous...we have a 2 day pass to camp at Phantom Ranch...but we're hoping someone with a pass for Indian Gardens will be a no-show and we can hike half-way back to Indian Gardens...it's 4.6 miles from the rim to here...and another 4.7 miles to Phantom Ranch...so it would be a nice break to camp halfway back up...
...super tall yucca plants...
...there's a good overview of the rock formations here...our Rockhound was in heaven...
...it's really impressive what a little water and a lot of time can accomplish...
...we're nearing the end of this sort of slot canyon coming out of the Indian Gardens oasis...
...things begin to get a little more arid...
...and it looks like they're about to step off the side of the earth...
...a really steep trail...with a really scary drop-off...
...Yep!...we're headed over there...down that zig-zaggy path...
...Scoutmaster in the front...Boys in the middle...and me in the rear...
...the little waterfall at the base of this canyon...you can hear it from afar...
...and then still downhill...but not nearly as steep...we finally get our first glimpse of the Colorado...
...we make it to Pebble Beach right at dusk....
...the boys take off their packs and play on the beach for a little bit...
...just as the moon peaks over the rim...
...we're still a good mile and a half from Phantom Ranch...and it's going to be good and dark when we get there...
What a lot of information packed into one day's blog! The birds and beasts are very cute, but my favourite have to be the mules - no messing mules - best stick to the walls when they come past!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine them chuckling to each other as they flip tourists over the edge!! Well, as they think about doing it.
The blue bird is lovely.
Lucky boy scouts.
Amazing and breathtaking. I enjoyed the capture of each step of the way. It made me feel like I was there.
ReplyDeleteSince we only hiked a short distance down the rim, those pics tell a great story. We were amazed by what we saw from the top but looks much more amazing to see it all the way down. MOM
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Amazing. I can't even imagine the feeling. I know where I want to go for my 10th anniversary now!!
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