We struggle with words to describe it and pictures surely don’t do it justice … we hiked from the South Rim down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up again. Amazing!! It was tough, but I’m not sure that we stopped smiling. It was so special to be able to share the experience with each other. From the moment we stepped off the rim, we were already dreaming of a return hike down to the canyon … and we just secured another permit for our one year anniversary. The descent is about 4,000 feet over ~7 miles and gains about 30 degrees. It felt like we crossed ecosystems, from desert mountains into a lush and hot tropical environment. One we reached the canyon, we spent the afternoon staying cool and soaking in the stream (little fish nibbling our toes), slept in our tent next to the stream (hot, hot, hot!!), and started the return hike about an hour before sunrise in an effort to beat the heat.
Our first view of the Colorado heading down the South Kaibab trail!
Another shot taken while heading down the South Kaibab trail. The trail goes around the right hand side of the base of this rock formation.
Finally at the bottom, this is the mighty Colorado.
Swimming the Colorado is forbidden, and looks awfully scary anyways. However, Phantom Creek was a great place for us to cool off after the hike.
Just after a swim in the creek next to some mule deer. The nearly tropical setting at the bottom of the canyon offers some exciting and unexpected scenery.
Writing postcards by flashlight
Heading back up the Bright Angel trail
Mule trains were quite frequent on the Bright Angel trail
Its harder than it looks!! Waiting for the bus after the climb
Our first view of the Colorado heading down the South Kaibab trail!
Another shot taken while heading down the South Kaibab trail. The trail goes around the right hand side of the base of this rock formation.
