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Tag: North Kaibab trail

Hike smart in Grand Canyon

01 a534 Roaring Springs canyon Kaibab Trail NR GRCA NP AZ 1of2 pic g (768x1024)Think spring and fall to hike smart in Grand Canyon.  Summer temperatures deep within the canyon often exceed 100 F (38 C).  This view of the North Kaibab Trail down Roaring Springs Canyon was taken in August when by 8am the trail below was already exposed to sun.  I wouldn’t normally hike the inner canyon this time of year but was headed first to Cottonwood Camp for the night, only 7 miles down, and then on to Phantom Ranch in the early morning to begin an experience of a lifetime rafting the Colorado River.

The North Kaibab Trail is 14 miles to the river with a change of about 6,000 feet (1828 meters) in elevation so begins in a forest and descends into desert getting warmer by about 5 F (15 C) every 1000 feet (304 meters).

Summer hiking in Grand Canyon requires early morning and late afternoon travel with at least three liters of water for each hiker.  Keep hydrated and eat plenty of salty snacks.  Stay in the shade and/or near water between 11am and 4pm.  Know your limits because this is a very challenging hike.

For more information about hiking the inner canyon go to the Grand Canyon National Park website.  And have a great hike!

Grand Canyon National Park North Rim 14 Comments

Cactus bloom on North Kaibab Trail

01 05 Bee in Grizzly Bear Cactus North Kaibab Trail Bright Angel Canyon GRCA AZ g (1024x880)The North Kaibab Trail from rim to river, 14 miles and a 6,000 foot (1828 meter) change in elevation, winds through several different environments.  In the Sonoran desert you might see a bee foraging in the Grizzly Bear Cactus.  Hiking in Grand Canyon provides a challenging experience like no other.  However, please be prepared for extremes.  Temperatures on the North Rim mid-summer might only be 85-95 degrees F (30-35 C) while at the bottom can reach 105+ (40 C).

Grand Canyon National Park 8 Comments

Hiking to the Colorado River

Sacred datura along North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Sacred datura

After hiking 7 miles down the North Kaibab trail and staying at Cottonwood campground my hiking companion had to hike back up 4170 feet while I headed another 7 miles down to Phantom Ranch and hiking to the Colorado River where I would begin my rafting adventure. Mine was certainly the easier journey with only a 1534 foot drop in elevation.

Bright Angel Creek along North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Really a gentle walk next to Bright Angel Creek.

August 15, 1869 – “Early in the afternoon we discover a stream entering from the north-a clear, beautiful creek, coming down through a gorgeous red canyon. We conclude to name it ‘Bright Angel’.” –John Wesley Powell

The Box along Bright Angel Creek North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

And through “the box” which is one of my favorite sections of the North Kaibab trail.

Zoroaster granite & Vishnu schist in The Box North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The intrusions of Zoroaster granite into the Vishnu schist create an abstract sort of geo-art.

Bright Angel Creek coming out of The Box North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I made it to Phantom Ranch in four hours and beat the heat in the box. The high at the Ranch went to 106F so the box could easily have reached 125F.

National Park Service bunkhouse at Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The South Rim staff going on the lower Colorado River trip would hike down later that afternoon and evening and we’d all be staying at the National Park Service bunkhouse at Phantom Ranch. Thank goodness it’s furnished with a huge full kitchen, two bathrooms with showers and AC.

River trip gear in NPS bunkhouse Pantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Only one little problem, my gear and the other North Rim rafter’s didn’t make it down to the bunkhouse on the mules. And neither did our planned spaghetti dinner or breakfast.

South Rim view from bunkhouse Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Luckily a helicopter from the South Rim was already scheduled to Roaring Springs Ranger Residence and dropped the missing gear and dinner off near Phantom Ranch saving the mule skinner from making a second trip. We ate good that night, instead of trail food, and slept on bunkbeds before heading for the river in the morning.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments , 8 Comments

Lijit

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