.jpg)
Breakfast at the bunkhouse
After a decent night’s sleep on a real bed at the Phantom Ranch bunkhouse we enjoyed a great breakfast prepared by my boss and her sister. Then hit the trail about 10am.
.jpg)
Bright Angel Bridge over Colorado River
After a decent night’s sleep on a real bed at the Phantom Ranch bunkhouse we enjoyed a great breakfast prepared by my boss and her sister. Then hit the trail about 10am.
.jpg)
Bright Angel Bridge over Colorado River
Two foot bridges cross the Colorado within one mile of each other. Farther east, the Kaibab Bridge leads to the South Kaibab Trail which runs 6.8 miles (10.9 km) along a ridge up 4780 feet (1457 m) to the South Rim.
.jpg)
South Rim Grand Canyon National Park
We hiked the Bright Angel Trail 4.7 miles (7.6 km) and up 1320 feet (402 m), which was only half way to the top.
.jpg)
Prickly Pear Cactus
.jpg)
Mules hauling mail up from Phantom Ranch
Have to share the trail and mules have right away. The worst of that is following along in the dust and avoiding the poop and pee pools. When one mule stops to pee, the rest all stop at the same place. They can poop walking.
.jpg)
The Devil’s Corkscrew – Bright Angel Trail
Back up through the Vishnu Schist which reflected the sun and made for a hot hike. Of course it’s a lot worse during July and August when temperatures easily reach triple digits in the lower canyon.
.jpg)
Yet the views are all worth the effort.
.jpg)
Side-blotched Lizard
After what felt like 10 miles of corkscrew the trail more easily follows Garden Creek.
.jpg)
Desert Plume
.jpg)
Welcome to Indian Garden
Another hiker and I were the last to arrive in Indian Garden camp at 4pm. After dinner we all hiked out to Plateau Point for sunset.
.jpg)
South Rim Grand Canyon National Park
We hiked the Bright Angel Trail 4.7 miles (7.6 km) and up 1320 feet (402 m), which was only half way to the top.
.jpg)
Prickly Pear Cactus
.jpg)
Mules hauling mail up from Phantom Ranch
Have to share the trail and mules have right away. The worst of that is following along in the dust and avoiding the poop and pee pools. When one mule stops to pee, the rest all stop at the same place. They can poop walking.
.jpg)
The Devil’s Corkscrew – Bright Angel Trail
Back up through the Vishnu Schist which reflected the sun and made for a hot hike. Of course it’s a lot worse during July and August when temperatures easily reach triple digits in the lower canyon.
.jpg)
Yet the views are all worth the effort.
.jpg)
Side-blotched Lizard
After what felt like 10 miles of corkscrew the trail more easily follows Garden Creek.
.jpg)
Desert Plume
.jpg)
Welcome to Indian Garden
Another hiker and I were the last to arrive in Indian Garden camp at 4pm. After dinner we all hiked out to Plateau Point for sunset.
I am enjoying your hike from my easy chair! I love the first picture in the last post of Bright Angel Canyon. Would you rather have taken a mule?
That is more info than I wanted about mule poop and pee, but hey, it is part of the hike! Again, those photos are marvelous!
The Phantom Ranch looks like a cozy overnight stop. Nothing like a real meal and a real bed after a couple of days backpacking. Again, great photos. I’m enjoying your tour.
Wonderful posts! I am still hoping to get there this year sometime. I see you saw your own lizard! Gorgeous photography!
I must say I always enjoy my bed after spending some nights on the ground. 🙂 It is probably hotter than hades there in the summer and you would really feel it in a hike. Love the prickly pear flower. I love eating its fruit.
Wow..what a time you had…minus the pee and poop!
Great photos! If I go do I have to hike? LOL
My daughter says she once was almost knocked off a high cliff by a renegade mule. I always think of her when I see mules. I like the tail color on your side-blotched lizard and the desert plume image is gorgeous.
One of the things I remember vividly about the GC is the bright hue of the Colorado River dissecting it. Your piccie really captures this, wonderful piccies.
My family will never forget the hospitality shown to us on our most recent tour of the Grand Canyon. grand canyon tours from las vegas