Snowing on the South Rim in the morning
I’d never hiked the South Kaibab trail into Grand Canyon before. It is a steep, 7 mile (11.26 km) ridge trail with no potable water. Not a great place to be during the heat of summer. However, a winter hike on it was ideal.
Bright Angel Camp
Unfortunately, my body didn’t quite agree about the idea and was extremely exhausted after 7.5 hours downhill. Plus we basically didn’t get into camp until after dark.
Cabin rental through Xanterra
So the next day, after a very chilly mid 20 degree F night and sleeping in until 8am, we first explored Phantom Ranch.
The Canteen offers food & beverages, full meals require reservations
In 1922, the Fred Harvey Company commissioned Mary Jane Colter to redesign the original tourist camp built by David Rust twenty years earlier.
We went inside to warm up over a cup of cocoa and write postcards.
Everything used and sold here is carried in by mule train, as is all the garbage carried out.
After sitting in this warmth for a little while our legs started to stiffen up so we walked back to camp for water and snacks to hike a little ways back up the trail we came down after dark. The Bright Angel campground is nestled between Bright Angel Creek…
…and towering walls of 4.7 billion year old Vishnu Schist.
Closeup of the ancient schist with quartz and granite intrusions
Ranger residence
Though a remote and rugged setting, this area has long been a destination for humans.
Almost 1000 years ago native people called Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) built their homes along the river.
Can’t say as I blame them.
Yet crossing the swift Colorado River had to be a hazardous undertaking before the National Park Service completed the present Kaibab Suspension Bridge in 1928.
The one-ton, 550-foot- long suspension cables were carried down into the canyon on the shoulders of mostly Havasupai tribesmen who walked single file down the trail while carrying the cables. And I thought carrying a 32 pound backpack was over much!
Confluence of Bright Angel Creek and Colorado River
But this day’s little hike was light and easy. And after seeing what was too dark to see the night before we headed back to camp.
Looking up at the snow on the South Rim
Thinking of the next day’s hike uphill. But that’s another story.
Beautiful. I've never been to the Grand Canyon…
Pearl
Oh beautiful, now I can say I've been on a hike in the Grand Canyon! Thanks for the guided tour. I look foeward to the next tour. Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo
Magical photos and I am so enjoying this tour without any muscle aches and pains LOL.Diane
It sounds like a very physical hike. I am worn out too. What beauty there is there. I like the cabins nestled in. Thanks for all the information too. I have always loved local history told in a real way. Thanks. MB
Your pictures and description are really helping me see the places in the book I'm reading. Phantom Ranch was mentioned quite a bit in the last chapter. The book certainly is giving me a new respect for the place. 🙂
Great scenes from your adventure. It still looks like autumn down on the Phantom Ranch. Steve has been there, but I haven't. We'll have to go sometime before we get too decrepit!
Wonderful, the more I see of your photos the more I want to hike into the Grand Canyon.
And to answer your question on my blog about whether the high-elevation roads stay open year-round, almost all of them (including the one I posted) do, as they're essential routes. Although in a good winter you can be driving through walls of snow!
My knees ache just thinking about walking down the trails! But then, your pix make my heart ache to go down into the canyon. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
What a fantastic place and your photos are superb as always! Love the colors! Definitely looks like a great trip! Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!
Sylvia
What an adventure. I hope you guys stayed warm in the cold night.
Wow – what an adventure! I'm tired just reading about it.
I love this set of dazzling photos – such natural beauty. Gorgeous!
these are jaw-dropping photos! a magnificent place. what a great adventure!
Gorgeous! I've got to agree with the others–I'm tired just reading about the hike down. I think I'd stay an extra day or two just resting up before the climb out.
Beautiful My World Tuesday posting
Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
Link to My Word Tuesday post!
Seen on My World Tuesday
Wow (all my comments to you begin with 'wow!), Gaelyn, these are exceptionally beautiful photos; such soft colors and those views! If you were tired after 7.5 hours, imagine those Indians who had to haul the cables! 🙂
I think I am most amazed about the fact that there is a whole shop down there. Very interesting indeed. I can imagine they early inhabitents would have prefered living down in the canyon by the water rather than on to of the escarpment in the heat and dryness.
You seem to be having a superb adventure. Lovely photographs. Have a safe and lovely trek. Cheers.
Wonderful! What wonderful things you get up to and great places you get to experience.
I am totally impressed!
It certainly looks a rugged and isolated area. Pack animals to take in freight!! You must be very fit to undertake such hikes. Well done. It is awesome scenery.