[Moose]

I completely underestimated this trip in two important ways - difficulty and beauty. A well-maintained trail graded at an average of 10% sounds like a cakewalk compared to some of the climber's trails we have in the PNW, right? Unfortunately in 100+ temperatures even walking from the car to the air-conditioned visitor's center feels pretty miserable. I also underestimated the beauty of the Grand Canyon. I know how stupid that must sound, but I've always been more of a snow/ice person and have never had any desire to experience desert hiking. But after three days of walking through box canyons surrounded by 4,000' cliffs and standing beneath crystal clear waterfalls hidden within caverns of rock that formed over 2 billion years ago, I find that I am forced to eat my words. Day 1: South Kaibab TH to Bright Angel CG (-4,740', 6.9 mi) We started a little after 6 am. This trail has little to no shade and no water sources. We reached the Black Bridge that spans the Colorado River at 11 am and it was 102 degrees. We spent the rest of the day soaking in Bright Angel Creek along with the rest of the campers and several deer.

Staring out at our destination from Mather Point

Sunrise on the South Kaibab Trail

View from Ooh Ahh Point

Looking down toward Cedar Ridge

Zoroaster Temple

First glimpse of the Black Bridge

Even the squirrels were too hot to do anything but marinate

Cooling off in Bright Angel Creek

We didn't know it at the time, but that geyser in the upper LH corner was actually a burst in the pipeline and in 2 days, water would be cut off from all campgrounds in the inner gorge

Day 2: Bright Angel CG to Cottonwood CG (+1,200', 7.1 mi) After a restless night of fitful sleep, we started down the trail around 6:30 am. The first 4 miles of trail was spent hiking through the Box, a narrow box canyon surrounded on both sides by 4,000' rock walls. The trail follows the water pipeline and the Colorado River until it breaks out into the open. At 10 am, we veered off the main trail and hiked to Ribbon Falls, where we stayed for the next 6 hours as we waited for temperatures to cool. Definitely not in the PNW anymore! At 4 pm we hiked the last 1.5 miles to Cottonwood CG.

Heading into "The Box"

Streams of sunlight

First sighting of Ribbon Falls

Photo taken while laying on a cool rock ledge

Note to self: walking into a cactus hurts

Day 3: Cottonwood CG to the North Rim (+4,210', 6.9 mi) We knew we had a long day ahead of us and left the campground a little after 5 am. One of the water faucets had stopped working but the one near the ranger station was still delivering drinkable water so we filled up and went on our way. Fortunately there was plentiful shade along the North Kaibab Trail and we were able to take breaks whenever we started overheating. The temperature dropped as we gained elevation and actually felt somewhat pleasant by the time we reached 7,000'. The canyon landscape changed from desert to forested slopes covered with ponderosa pines, reminding me of some parts of eastern WA. We reached the North Kaibab TH, and the conclusion of our trip, by 11:30 am.

Lame attempt at slow shutter speeds w/o tripod

N. Kaibab Trail cut into the canyon walls

Squirrel stuffing his face

Squirrel staring contest

Blessed shade in the Supai Tunnel

In a nutshell, an amazing few days spent in one of the world's many indescribably beautiful places!

Sunset at the North Rim

[Backpacker Joe]

Great pics. Nicely done.

[Akula]

I did this several years ago, and I to was totally amazed with the scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[John Mac]

Glad to hear you have developed an appreciation for Southwest beauty. Brown down there can be just as good as green and white here. I love the SW.

[Riptide Rush]

Beautiful pictures! Looks like heaven, a really warm heaven! Nice squirrel shots too

[mbtigger]

There have been discussions about doing this one spring break when the younger kinder can carry more stuff....

[Moose]

Thanks everyone! mbtigger, this would be a great trip to do with the kids. Most likely there will be drinkable water at all campgrounds (though the pipeline is old and breaks occasionally) and the corridor trails were the best trails I've ever hiked (maintenance-wise). I saw lots of kids playing in the river near Bright Angel Trail. Seems like there would be a lot for them to do...though I'd recommend going in late April or early May to avoid the hottest weather.

[bobbi]

what a great hike! awesome photos! permit required? was it a hassle to get a permit? how did you get back to the south rim, (if you did)?

[Moose]