North Rim Park Rangers
We started hiking the Grand Canyon at the North Kaibab Trailhead, 8,250 feet (2,515 m) about 10am.

North Kaibab Trail Roaring Springs Canyon
It’s about two miles (3.2 km) down to Supai Tunnel where there’s water and compost toilets.

Plateau Lizard
By then it was hot enough to sun on a rock, or at least reduce a layer of clothing.

North Kaibab Trail
We’d also walked past four rock layers representing about 100 million years of sedimentary deposits.

Agave
I’m so amazed by the variety of plant life.

Western Redbud

Roaring Springs
Roaring Springs pours out from the bottom of the Redwall Limestone and provides all water needs for both North and South Rims.

Bright Angel Canyon north
From here we turned south to follow Bright Angel Canyon and Creek.

Bright Angel Creek

Prickly Pear Cactus along Bright Angel Creek
We got into Cottonwood campground about 4pm. Our first day 6.8 miles (11 km) and about a 4,000 foot (1,270 m) drop.

Cottonwood Campground
I was feeling fine, ate tuna and crackers for dinner. All were in sleeping bags under the stars by 9pm. It just barely sprinkled but not enough to bother. Unfortunately, the cheap sleeping pad I bought is useless so only slept on and off. Thank goodness the next stretch to Phantom Ranch was a bit easier.