.jpg "Cottonwood camp N Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ")
Good morning AmyCottonwood Camp at 4080 feet (1244 meters) was established in the 1920s as a layover for mule parties coming down from the North Rim. We human mules only carried 25 pound packs down 4170 feet (1275 meters) in 6.8 miles (10.9 km) on Day 1. After coffee and oatmeal, which presumably lightened the load, we felt good and ready to hit the trail early for Phantom Ranch including the Ribbon Falls diversion.
+N+Kaibab+trail+GRCA+AZ+(800x600).jpg "N Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ")
Oza Butte glows under the morning sunThe campground is across from the intersection of The Transept and Bright Angel canyons.
.jpg "N Kaibab trail GRCA NP AZ")
View back up to where the lodge is on Bright Angel PlateauWe waved at the lodge visitors lounging on the veranda and started our 7.9 mile (13 km) hike.
.jpg "Ribbon Falls GRCA NP AZ")
Ribbon FallsWe took the side trail, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) out of Cottonwood campground, to Ribbon Falls. It’s a shorty, but we dropped our packs off on some boulders just off the main trail taking only water and cameras.
.jpg "Monkey flowers Ribbon Falls GRCA NP AZ")
Monkey flowersThis moist microclimate contrasts drastically with the surrounding desert. It’s so amazing to see waterfalls in the otherwise dry canyon bottom. It felt good to stand in the spray and soak our bandanas as the temperature climbed towards 80F/26.6C.
.jpg "Ribbon Falls GRCA NP AZ")
Amy almost behind the waterfallRibbon Creek flows through limestone dissolving and transporting calcium carbonate which then forms the travertine mound below the falls.
.jpg "Ribbon Falls GRCA NP AZ")
Looking through Ribbon Falls at the canyon wallsWe continued to follow the slippery trail around the horseshoe shaped amphitheater.
.jpg "Ribbon Falls GRCA NP AZ")
Jan coming down the slope.jpg "Ribbon Crk GRCA NP AZ")
Ribbon CreekThen came down slope back to Ribbon Creek and the trail back to the North Kaibab where we continued on into The Box.
.jpg "Dragonfly GRCA NP AZ")
Dragon flyAfter living in the desert so long I haven’t seen one of these in a while (other than on some other’s fabulous blogs).
That waterfall is huge when compared to the size of Amy standing near to it. I especially love that 2nd shot Gaelyn.
What a great hike…wish I were there with you.
I hiked part way down the canyon a few years back..it was snowing when I came out. Unbelievable country.
http://www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com
That is one beautiful waterfall. You were truly one with an Oasis. One feels alive in such places. When the earth is looked at as an oasis in the desert of space, then all will change.
Wow, shirt-sleeve weather? Not here. Pictures are great especially the waterfall. A few years ago, my wife and her friends made it rim-to-rim-to-rim in two days.
Gaelyn: Wonderful trip with a lot of neat photos of the trail. It looks way to hard for me to traverse. Fun that you saw the dragonfly, perfect timing.
Ribbon Falls is gorgeous. Love the colors in the rock with the water running over it. You did a great job.
DF
How wonderful that you saw firsthand what most people only get to see in pictures.
The waterfall must have been a joy to see. I'm sure you felt warm after walking the trail.
Gaelyn, you are brilliant. I admire and respect your journey so much. Incredible photos. I ahve no desire to camp, but it is great to see the photos. Blessings!
Beautiful photos. I love the springs, waterfalls, and creeks in the Grand Canyon best. Like you said, it's the contrast with the surrounding desert that makes the moist areas so impressive.
Oh wow – I've never been there, but it looks fantastic!! What a beautiful place!
I'd really like to spend a vacation like that in a place as beautiful! Nice shots! Fun and Adventerous!
– Pixellicious Photos
Unusal shots, Gaelyn – thanks for sharing! Especially Ribbon Falls catches my attention I know you don't do it for the pics, but that in itself was already worth the trip!
WOW!!! I wish I could have joined you all. ribbon falls is spectacular and the mound is awesome. Great shots of the area. MB
The falls looks awesome. A bit different from most, but beautiful. I can imagine on a hike like this that a stream (like in the last pic) is the best cool down you can ask for.
Can you drink directly from the streams, or is there another water source for hikers?
Breathtaking, breathtaking. God's country,some would say.
I'm really enjoying your rim to rim posts. I think the composition on the six image with Amy almost behind the waterfall is awesome.
Gaelyn,
Wonderful website and great photographic tours too. Your dragonfly is actually a damselfly. I can narrow it down to either a canyon or American Rubyspot.
gorgeous captures…love the falls.
Glorious shots in the Canyon, Gaelyn – esp Ribbon Falls!
Microclimates amaze me, and that waterfall is spectacular.
I am so jealous jealous jealous! the falls are gorgeous!