September 7, 2005
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Backpacking the Grand Canyon for the Labor Day weekend
We did the triple rim hike from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to the north rim and then back. In total, we hiked 48 miles with a vertical loss and gain of 4 miles in 3 days with about a 25 to 30 pound backpack. We had to deal with drenching rain to temperatures of over 100 degrees...in the shade!
I flew into Phoenix to meet up with my hiking buddies on Friday afternoon. It was a 4 hour drive from there to the Grand Canyon with a stop at Cuisine of India in Sedona for dinner. After a night spent at the Yavapai Lodge and a breakfast of bagels and cream cheese we started at Bright Angel trailhead around 9am.
On the first day we hiked about 10 miles to get to Bright Angel campgrounds which is pretty developed with flush toilets. There are rest stops at 1.5 miles and 3 miles before you reach Indian Gardens which is a nice picnic area about halfway down to the river. Here's a picture of the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
It was nice to soak our feet in the creek which was close by to our campsite.
We even saw a doe with her two fawns up close.
The second day we continued on our trek passing Phantom Ranch (where the less outdoorsy can stay at a room in the lodge and drink beer). It was a 7 mile hike passing by Ribbon Falls and Asinine Hill to Cottonwood campgrounds where we dropped off our backpacks. We then did a 14 mile roundtrip day hike up to the North rim passing by Roaring Springs. You get a pretty nice view from Coconino Overlook
Here I am at the top by the North Kaibab trailhead which is actually in another state...I hiked from Arizona to Utah!
We didn't get back into our campground until pretty late. The stars at night in the canyon are so beautiful and bright without the light pollution. We got up very early around 3am the last day since we had to carry our packs back 17 miles.
The gorgeous sunset.
We didn't get back to the top until almost around 7pm on Monday. To reward myself I had a huge steak dinner in Flagstaff before driving back the rest of the way to Phoenix. The best part was taking off my hiking boots and taking a hot shower. After sleeping for 3 hours, I had to get up at 4am to catch an early morning flight today back to LA and then head directly to work. My body now aches in muscles I didn't even know I had but it was worth it.
Comments (24)
Wow, I'm SO jealous. I wish I could do this. Now THAT is a hike. *sigh* Those photos are beautiful -- and I'm sure they do no justice to what it actually looked like in real life.
I envy you. I went to the Grand Canyon in high school. Just a stop on the way to somewhere else. My friend and I made it about 5 miles down the bright angel trail before we had to go back. Otherwise we would have gotten left there. I've always wanted to go back and hike it "for real."
I like the pics.
48 Miles??? That's awesome!
wow that IS nice...and man you are totally and out door girl. that doe is soooo cute!!!! i've only been to the grand canyon once and it was when i was real young with my parents...so I don't really recall much
wow. you conquered the world. always going on the best adventurous. yayyy
email me with your new cellphone number, we can totally go have dinner together or something. my email address is the same. i tried looking for you at ivar after we went and got some drinks, but it was so crowded and i didn't see you.
dude.. isnt it crazy how sore you are the next day.. and this after you think youre supposedly "in shape"? haha i was like "wutda.. im sore?" the next day after our hikes this weekend..
ive only been back in my bed at home for 2 nights.. and i gotta say i seriously appreciate it when compared to the cold, hard ground with rocks in my back..
man, u're always on trips and vacations... I thought I went a lot, but it's nothing compared to you! haha.
wow! that's an awesome hike and great views too!
u amaze me.
And i think jogging around the park once is somethin,.... you rule.
wow these pictures are amazing! I'm not even sure if I have the physical capabilities to hike that far!
wow...that's some crazy hiking!
whoa. so will we have to rough it that much next month?
when do you want to go mountain biking? i know you are sore and Im out of shape so maybe we should start on some easy trails!... =)
whoa. you ditched QBBQ for this? how absurd. lol jk. Anyways, looked like a good hike and again..great pics. ttyl serina!
that is so awesome!
I HATE YOU! That looked fun.
wow...cool adventure! ryc: about brazil...don't run out of bug repellent. and not to scare you, wear shoes. don't let those bugs dig a hole in your foot and lay eggs on it. a word of caution...
beautiful pics!! you must luv the outdoors. =)
ryc: yeah.. i usually stay til the end and then some.. it was 10 innings last night too!! i sit in the seats for a while...cuz it's no rush since everyone's going out at the same time. i enjoy myself.
well, AT LEAST i didn't hit traffic, right? i almost changed seats and thought to stay for the whole game by myself. but i was alone...and a girl in giants gear.. plus later on it would take longer to find my car walking around by myself. =p
i haven't been to the grand canyon in YEARS. forget how beautiful it is...
ryc: Mary Kay is the lady who slept with her student.... like 5 years ago?
Wow that trip looked awesome. No wonder your so skinny...your trips are so "active" hahaha
wow that sounds so adventous and fun... i should definately do that sometime =)
i hate hiking. ill just look at ur pictures instead