South Kaibab / Tonto / Bright Angel Trails Grand Canyon April 28 2014

You know that saying "DREAM IT DO IT"?  I dreamed of this day and now I am doing it!  After much research, contemplation & conversations well in advance, I decided the route that would suit my ability the best would be to hike down South Kaibab Trail, head west and follow Tonto Trail until it met with Bright Angel and then ascend Bright Angel Trail to The Rim.  I knew you do not play this game lightly so went prepared to give myself the best chance at having a successful experience.  That meant parking at the Backcountry Office (a seven minute walk from Bright Angel Trailhead where I would end my day) and catching the 7:00am Hikers Express Bus from there to the South Kaibab Trailhead.  I carried four liters of water, lots of layers, all the essentials such as headlamp, sunscreen, hat etc, and food enough fit for a king.  I knew when sunset was, which meant I had a window of 10-11 hours to finish before dark. 

Hop on board and come along on a wonderful journey with me here!

Yesterday it was a zoo of folks in the Village, so I was very happy when about only 12 of us hit the trail at the same time.  There was a 6:00am bus before me and an 8:00am one yet to come which meant not all start at the same time and we would be spread out.  As it turned out, the 12 of us spread out pretty quick.  I felt like I owned the Grand Canyon this morning! 

My first view as I begin to head down South Kaibab Trail which you can see on the left.

wide-open comes immediately

For the whole way down the South Kaibab Trail, you can see where you are going in front of you and you can look back and see where you have been.  At times the trail hugs a cliff side, and at times it follows a narrow ridge like below.  

The going down is not as easy as you may think.  There are steps that seemed spaced far apart so there is lots of foot reaching and deep stepping which meant watching the trail and not the scenery.  Lots of stops along the way for me due to that because it truly is all about enjoying the journey and that's what I was there for.

taking a break at Cedar Ridge

looking back from where I came

looking ahead to where I was going

stunning views all around

another break at Skeleton Point

This was the view below me from Skeleton Point.

The swtichbacks would bring me even deeper down in.

Follow the trail down, it descends steeply. 

scene around a corner

I made it to my turning west point which was just above the Tip Off.

 Before heading west, I descended a bit more to see what I could see.  

Mules were carrying gear up from Phantom Ranch.  

Sitting at the Tip Off and feeling the moment.

This is where I begin to follow Tonto Trail west.  There was one couple who were heading this way too but they were not ready to leave yet.  There was no one in front of me as far as I could see and I could see far.

This was as far as I could see!

The trail was wide-open and at this low level in the Canyon, it was hot.

Cactus were plentiful and in bloom.  

There wasn't a breeze nor shelter anywhere.

I was in the middle of the Grand Canyon, in the desert.

You do not play this game lightly!

I kept looking back because it was just as amazing behind me.

The Tonto Trail was mostly flat and an easy going trail condition-wise.  I was able to make good time and enjoy the scenery at the same time.  It did seem to go on forever, longer than I expected it to.  I was beginning to look forward to meeting up with Bright Angel and seeing other folks at this point.  When I eyed the bright green, I thought that had to mean something....

...and it did, I was getting close, I could see the flat section of Bright Angel ahead of me.

It was very hot by now.  Thankfully Indian Garden had loads of those wonderful big green trees that offered up shelter, a place to rest and refuel out of the sun.  There were about a dozen or so folks hanging out but no one that I started the day with.  I know a few were heading to Phantom Ranch for the night and others were going back up the way they came down.  I never did see the other two who were doing the route I had planned.  I spent about 30 minutes here then began the 900 meter climb up Bright Angel to The Rim.

I do not have many photos to share of this section.  

I soon realized this was going to be tough and I would have to be digging deep the whole way.  

I stopped very often and always looked back.  

It was quite a sight to see.

As I was ascending, I was catching up with more people who had only gone to Indian Garden.  Some looked rougher than I felt.  Everyone was quiet, just a smile or a very shallow hi was all that occurred in passing.  I know that was all I had the energy to muster up.  I did pass one lady in distress, others were attending to her.  You do not play this game lightly!    

You can see the trail far below in the middle.

The end was now in sight!  I needed to get to that building in the top left corner.  It seemed so close but was taking forever to get there.  There were more and more people now, those that only ventured down into the Canyon a very short distance.  They were spry and chatty and a bundle of energy.  Not me!   

I finally reached that building!  

I was depleted!  

I found a spot off to the side where there was no one then sat down and had a very private moment behind my sunglasses!  This has got to be the hardest hike I have ever completed.  I knew you do not play this game lightly and I went prepared.  It was a dream I had that became reality.  It felt like such an accomplishment!  All that was left was that 7 minute walk to my car and a 12 minute drive to my room.  Yes, I planned well!  

close up of the ascent up Bright Angel Trail

The Rim Trail, Grand Canyon April 27, 2014

After about a seven minute walk from the Backcountry Office Parking Lot at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, I got my first glimpse of one of the seven natural wonders of the world!  In fact, it was much more than a glimpse, it was a wide-open, massive-expanse,  full-feast.  Before going, I googled lots to view loads of photos to get an idea of what I was in for.  To actually be there, standing in this very spot at this second in time was an incredibly out-of-this-world surreal feeling.  

Today's plan was to hike The Rim Trail from the Bright Angel Trailhead to Hermits Rest and then catch the free shuttle bus back to my starting point.  I wanted to stand in this spot as it will play an important role tomorrow.  You will have to stay tuned to find out why!

along the way

I read that views of blue, green, gold and red blended together could be beautiful.

This proves that point!

It's amazing what a few puffy clouds can create!

I see some kind of a creature in this shadow shot!

Thank you Mother Nature for casting your clouds!

a multitude of shades

taking the time to feel the moment

I waved right back at him.

This is my favourite photo of the day!  

There was nothing more I could ask for, for today, when I saw this sight.  

To me this is where I saw that natural wonder of the world.

It was prime season for this plant to be in bloom.

As I was nearing the end of my hike, the Colorado River came into sight.  

I arrived at the end of The Rim Trail at Hermits Rest. 

I felt like ringing the bell hanging from the top of that stone structure.  

I was ready to declare "bring on tomorrow"!  

Today I spent on the Rim, tomorrow I get to go down in!

STAY TUNED!

Happy Happy Everything

When the shout went out, I was happy to hear two friends echo back!  Within a matter of no time at all our plan to hike Junction Hill Loop was in place. The conditions at the trail head looked inviting & enticing. It was windy but the lack of snow + the blue sky = happy.  We geared up, locked up, crossed the road, then immediately began our ascent.

This is the one and only crocus we saw all day!

I was happy to see it, it surely means spring!

The springy conditions made for easy movement, yet not speedy by any means.  It's hard to tell here, but we are ascending steeply plus we have so much of life's happenings to catch up on.  Stop, talk, walk, stop, talk, walk!  

Do you see a happy face in the cloud?

We made it to the ridge to where there was 360 degree scenery.  The new spring snow in the far off big mountains was pretty.  I was happy all that snow was over there though. But..... as we carried on......

.....all that snow was appearing here too!  We stayed well back of the ridge edge.  We could see cornice after cornice after cornice.  The snow we encountered was supportive.  I was happy about that.  We paid attention to where the possible rock slabs were and did our best to circumnavigate them.  All the while, the scenery was spectacular! 

Finally, we eyed the summits, the false and the true!

We assesed conditions as we went!

We encountered deep snow!

The snow was deep, the wind was fierce, a safe route was not obvious, we assessed then reassessed.  Our experience led us to make the wise decision that today's high point would be at the false summit.  You can see the true summit just to the right.  It was so close, but yet so far!  I was very happy to have made it this far today.  For my summit shot, I planted my feet, braced myself at an angle for support in the wicked wind yet I still raised my arms in victory with a smile on my face because even though the true summit was not attained, I still felt like I conquered!

Our visit at the top was short lived.  We slowly descended the rock slab section to find a very late sheltered lunch spot before caring on with making a loop.  The lower we got, the deeper the snow became.  The drifts were as tall as we were, the snow was not as supportive as earlier in the day, cornices appeared, we were not able to safely find ways to get around trees or through deep snow. Then, at the very same second in time, the three of us announced we wanted to turn back. I was happy my friends shared my concern.  This was as far as we made it down the slope.  We found a safe sheltered spot to refuel then retraced our track back to the top to do an out and back instead of the planned loop. 

last photo taken from the top of a wide open space from a wide open space

We gingerly made our way back down over the scrambly sections which were now slippery.  I was happy to get all that behind us and arrive at the grassy slopes where it was obvious what was beneath our feet and the footing was sure.  We found a perfect tree for our Easter celebration!  The Easter Eggs are courtesy of Agent-X.  

Today's objective turned out to be too big!  What we did accomplish turned out being larger than big!  We had a wonderful day filled with happy times everywhere, scenery was gorgeous, we listened, we shared, we embraced!  It was tough at times, we encouraged, we supported, we did all the things good friends do!  We know how to find all the bright spots on any given day playing in our sanctuary!

Happy Easter!

Happy Spring!

Happy Happy Everything!

Snow Galore

When I woke this morning and double checked the weather forecast & road reports, concern crept in whether today could happen.  At least try, so we met, hit the road and made our way to the trail head out near Elbow Falls and the closed winter gate. What are the odds of another group of folks arriving at the same place, same time, with the exact same route plan.  Secretly I cursed that because you know me, I like to be first and have complete ownership!  They took off before us and were never to be seen the balance of the day.

We were early enough though that the route ascending Prairie Mountain was not torn up as I suspected it would become as the morning went on.  We got good grip with only small amounts of slippage in spots.  There was lots of new snow from yesterday and last night.  Visible was nil as we gained the summit, so I aimed for close ups.  The whole edge was lined with cornice after cornice but not all had icicles decorating them like this one.  

Believe me there is quite the mountain view behind me on a clear day.  It didn't matter what direction I faced for my summit shot, all backdrops were identical today.  The flag refused to fly for me.  We didn't stick around long here having no scenery, so we followed the West Ridge and aimed for the cairn which signals it's time to turn left and descend.  

looking back at the summit

We found a dining spot on the slope in the trees but by now the snow was deepening.  You know that other group I cursed earlier?  Well, now I am gladly thanking them for breaking trail.  We patted down a spot and took a short lunch break.   At this point we now knew, we would be altering our plan for the day and doing a short loop instead of the long one.  It was taking longer than expected to make our way through this section.

The dark clouds lifted as we made our way out to the meadow that intersects Prairie Creek Trail. 

I was very happy to finally be here so to express my joy here is my "leap of love!"

The work out was suppose to be ascending Prairie Mountain and then it was suppose to be time to enjoy a quick, gentle descent.  Thinking back, the ascent was the easy part today.  Even though we had a broken trail to follow descending through the forest off the West Ridge, we still sank deep in the snow.  The copious amounts made for a tough slog while maximizing muscle use to the fullest capacity.   

But, I will admit, this winter wonderland on a spring day sure was pretty!

The shorter loop took us along Prairie Creek Trail instead of Prairie Link & Powderface Creek.   The time I allotted for the long loop was how long it took us to complete the short loop.  There was less snow on this short loop, but still that did not allow us to move quickly.  My legs were beat and screaming.  I did learn to lift from the butt and when I did that, it offered relief to my legs.

very happy to be heading home

I was glad my friends were like me and game to at least try.  

It was trying at times, but we just toughed it out. 

It was challenging at times, but a few of us just said sh**!  

YET

It was fun the whole day & way, so we smiled and laughed lots!