.jpg "Indian Garden camp GRCA NP AZ")
Amy and Jan Indian Garden CampI left camp first, but it wasn’t long before they passed me on this hike out of Grand Canyon. We had 4.6 miles (7.4 km) to hike with a gain of 3100 feet (945 meters).
.jpg "Morning light on canyon wall GRCA NP AZ")
Morning light on canyon wall above campWe met again at 3-mile house.
.jpg "View N to Plateau Pt from Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
View south to Plateau Point from Bright Angel TrailThis trail has been used by people for hundreds of years. Native Americans first made the trail to access the spring fed Indian Garden where they farmed. In the late 1800s the trail was widened for tourists and Ralph Cameron charged $1 for its use. In the 1930s the National Park Service improved the trail.
.jpg "Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
Three-mile house above Jacobs Ladder along Bright Angel TrailWater and restrooms are provided here and at One-and-a-half mile house.
The steep cliffs of the Redwall Limestone present a major obstacle for trail building.
.jpg "SR from Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
South Rim at top of faultHowever the Bright Angel Fault makes a natural break. The rocks to the west (right) are uplifted 189 feet (58 meters) higher than those to the east.
+Bright+Angel+trail+GRCA+AZ+(800x600).jpg "Tunnel Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
Second tunnel (from the top)At this point I am standing at the top of the buff-colored Coconino Sandstone seen in the photo of the South Rim above.
.jpg "Pictographs Bright Angel trail GRCA NP AZ")
PictographsJust before the next tunnel and above the trail is a panel of pictographs.
From here I could tell I was almost to the top because the women coming down had on makeup and smelled like perfume.
.jpg "Gaelyn, Jan & Amy SR GRCA NP AZ")
Gaelyn, Jan and AmyAmy and Jan topped out of the canyon about one hour before I did. And I broke my own time out by almost half. Guess I’m in better shape after a summer season of hiking than for the spring hike during training after a lazy winter.
.jpg "Historic house SR GRCA NP AZ")
Maggi’s house on South RimRanger Maggi let us stay at her house that night and she drove us to Sophie’s Mexican Restaurant in Tusyan just south of the park where we bought her dinner.
.jpg "Jan & Amy El Tovar SR GRCA NP AZ")
Jan and Amy with Prickly Pear Cactus Lemonade cocktail on El Tovar porchIn the morning we did some South Rim sightseeing and bought a few souvenirs.
.jpg "Gaelyn El Tovar SR GRCA NP AZ")
Gaelyn with sameThen we boarded the TransCanyon Shuttle at noon which returned us to the North Rim about 5pm.
In total we hiked 24 miles (38.62 km) over four days, a mile down and a mile up. It was awesome!
So would anyone like to join me next fall for a bloggers hike across Grand Canyon?
Oh my, I think I need me one of those yummy-looking cocktails! (Yes, it's just 10:30am and already one of those days.)
Wow! Gaelyn! What a fabulous hike this has been and I've so enjoyed following it each week. Marvelous photos, as always. And, yes, I'll be ready for one of those cocktails pretty soon — yep, one of those days for me too!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
Hi Gaelyn,
Love the morning glow and the tunnel shot. Obviously, you're not getting older – just fitter! What is that pink concoction you're drinking?
You take such wonderful photos on your hikes…It must be so awe inspiring to be able to get up there on your own two legs…sigh
You definitely deserved that cocktail Gaelyn. I had to laugh at your description on how you knew you were almost at the top of the trail. LOL!!
Prickly pear cocktail! Hope they removed the spines, ha, ha. I am still enjoying your hike, effortlessly….
Gaelyn, thanks for taking all of us along on this hike. It was an amazing experience, even though I wasn't there in person.
I just love the 4th picture looking back on the trail. Makes you realise the distance and height.
Now I'm looking forward to tag along in cyberspace on your next outing.
How I would love to hike with you, but alas, not possible unless I suddenly strike gold or oil. I will be here in blogosphere following your every step. Thanks for sharing your wonderful hike.
Sounds like a great hike overall, and the photos were certainly fantastic!
I'd have to get in better hiking shape to do that route in 4 days.
If I can get in shape by then I will be with ya!
What an amazing adventure that was Gaelyn! Thanks for taking us along.
I would LOVE to join you. The camping part scares me, but the rest sounds great. (I'm pretending I don't have a severe ankle injury.) That is an AMAZING trail!
Holler if you plan that bloggers hike. I'd like to go!
Am catching up, haven't been here in a bit, am loving your Death Valley trip, fascinating. I'm so glad despite being on dialup that you post so many great pictures. You give me inspiration to go more places!!
PS – love that you posted Nothing, AZ. I've always wanted to take a pic of that "town", lol.