In the car on the way out. We're still smiling here. After spending 2400+ miles in the car- we weren't smiling quite so much.
Hot air balloons in the sky while we ate breakfast at our overnight stop in Albuqurque on the way out
We finally made it to AZ. As a native Zonie- I felt great being back on home turf.
On the way to GC. This is the Navajo Bridge near where the Colorado enters the Grand Canyon
On the way to GC. This is the Navajo Bridge near where the Colorado enters the Grand Canyon
We made it to the North Rim after a long day's drive. Nearing sunset at the Lodge here.
Yippee- we're here!!!
Beautiful view from the rim
Day 2 on the rim doing some light hiking and sightseeing.
more GC views
I'm going to be down in there tomorrow. Yippee!!!
With the super duper zoom on the camera, you can see the Bright Angel Trail and Indian Garden on the South Rim
With the super duper zoom on the camera, you can see the Bright Angel Trail and Indian Garden on the South Rim
Day 1 of our 4 day hiking adventure.
Rian and I at the start at 6 am
Rian on Day 1 of the hike down into the canyon
More Day 1 hiking shots
about halfway down (mile wise), but more than halfway down elevation wise
sunset from our campsite at Cottonwood on Day 1
Day 2 in the canyon
A swamp on the way to the bottom on Day 2
Another beautiful view while hiking
In "The Box." One of the 4 bridges you cross over Bright Angel Creek on Day 2.
In "The Box." One of the 4 bridges you cross over Bright Angel Creek on Day 2.
We made it to the mighty Colorado River. Rian taking a very brief swim in the frigid water. The water is only about 45-50 degrees. Too cold even if it was 120 degrees F. Black bridge is in the background.
Crossing the Colorado via the Black Bridge.
Looking at Black Bridge over the Colorado
Day 2 was hot. In the sun the thermometer read 140+. The ranger said it was really only about 120 ish degrees in the sun. ONLY...
Day 3 in the Canyon
Day 3- hiking back to Cottonwood Campground. This day was the hottest day of the trip. We took a side trip to Ribbon Falls. It was well worth the hike and fording Bright Angel Creek to get there.
In the midst of the parched desert, it's amazing that you can find an oasis of cool water and an incredible micro-climate like this.
Sitting in the creek after the day's hike felt soooo good!
Day 4 (after we'd been hiking for a couple hours). We left just before sunrise at 4:45 a.m.
I'm already drenched in sweat after only 2 miles.
We didn't take many pictures on Day 4. It was a focused grind to get to the top before the full sun hit us. The last 2 miles from the top were the hardest miles I've ever walked. Steep uphill, in the full sun, hiking in deep sand. It was incredibly tough. Had to rest every 10 min. Made it by 10 am, tho.
Here are the backpacks resting after our climb out.
After hiking out 7 miles uphill, and gaining 4200 feet of elevation, we showered at the campground, then headed to the lodge for lunch and celebrated with a Grand Canyon Ale. It was the best beer I've ever had.
Then we checked into our room and took a well-deserved nap.
We look rough, but we are clean and super happy after beer and lunch (and some air conditioning)
From the Lodge at the rim, you can see Cottonwood Campground 4200 feet down into the canyon
The campground is kinda in the center of the picture- where the clump of trees are.
We rode our bikes in Zion NP. Part of the road is closed to cars- only the shuttle buses are allowed. It was so nice not to worry about those pesky cars.
Then we stopped by Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam on our way home.
We took the dam tour- it was fascinating!!!
After the dam, we stopped by Horseshoe Bend. It was a 3/4 mile tough hike, but was well worth it. The views were amazing, but it was kinda terrifying. No guardrails- just a sheer drop off.
From the Lodge at the rim, you can see Cottonwood Campground 4200 feet down into the canyon
The campground is kinda in the center of the picture- where the clump of trees are.
After we left GC, we stopped at Zion National Park. It was equally beautiful there- just different.
Then we stopped by Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam on our way home.
We took the dam tour- it was fascinating!!!
After the dam, we stopped by Horseshoe Bend. It was a 3/4 mile tough hike, but was well worth it. The views were amazing, but it was kinda terrifying. No guardrails- just a sheer drop off.
6 comments:
WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!! Incredible pictures to capture an incredible trip! The change in terrain and vegetation is so interesting, a swamp, waterfalls, moss (at least that's what it looked like). Just amazing. So beautiful.
I'm impressed at what you and Rian did. There are lots of risks in hiking down and up I'm sure in ways it was as mentally tough as physical, maybe not but had to be very difficult to just keep going.
A tip of the hat to you guys! We are going back to GCNR next year even if we didn't hike to the bottom I would like to at least hike down into it. We'll have to talk before we go! Great post!
Four "Wow"s from me too! What a cool adventure and some great photos. I enjoyed your Day 1, 2,3, ... photos. :-)
Thanks! It was so much fun. I wish we could go back and do it all over again. I can't wait to go back again next year (or the year after). It's such an amazingly beautiful place. If you're not moved when you visit there- I'm convinced you have no soul!!
Susan- I think the mental part was definitely the hardest (it always is, for me). Sure the hiking is physical- but when you just want to stop keeping yourself going is tough.
The last 2 miles up in the deep sand, with the sun beating down on us and the heat was the toughest thing I've ever done. I had to stop every 50 feet the last half mile or so just to stop and rest.
Then we get to the top and DH volunteers to jog the 2 miles back to the hotel to get the car and pick me up. What a great guy. I don't think I could have walked the 2 miles to the car.
What a sweet husband you have...jogging back to the car!
It looks like you had a great trip. Makes me want to go. The pictures are fantastic.
Hey there Tanya! This is Teena Wilson - we rode several times together with the tri club ---- luv your pictures and miss riding and racing with you guys. I am currently stationed in Korea and in October 2010 will be headed to Louisiana to be with my husband. Hope to hear from you soon...........Teena
Hi Teena! It's so great to hear from you!!! I wondered where you went, but I figured you got stationed far away (and I suppose I was right). Korea, eh? I'm glad you'll be coming stateside again to be with your hubs. Shoot me an e-mail sometime.
rbrown243 (at) cox (dot) net
(written weird to avoid spam bots).
Hope you're doing well!!
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