Tag: North Kaibab trail

Roaring Springs canyon to Bright Angle canyon from North Rim

Last summer I was hired as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, a dream come true.

Wes, Andrea, Robin, Gaelyn, Amala, Bill and Jamie
As part of my almost three weeks of training I hiked the Grand Canyon with six other Rangers, rim to rim, north to south, in three days and two nights. It was 27 degrees F at 9:30am when we started down the North Kaibab Trail at 8,250 feet.

Robin in Supai Tunnel
Supai Tunnel was blasted in the 1930s. This is located almost two miles down with a drop of 1450 feet. Water and compost toilets are located near the tunnel. Many day hikers come this far before returning to the North Rim.

North Kaibab trail to Roaring Springs
By then it was warm enough to reduce layers. I never needed those long pants or fleece again, just had to carry them. But weather can change so rapidly it’s good to be prepared.

Looking north back up to trailhead
My pack weighed about 30 pounds with just the basics, including plenty of snacks and water.

Needle’s Eye North Kaibab trail

Roaring Springs
We took the short side trail to Roaring Springs where there’s potable water and compost toilets. The springs pour out of the canyon walls high above and flow into Bright Angel Creek. The National Park Service does not recommend a round trip day hike beyond this point, 4.7 miles one way with a 3000 foot drop in elevation.

Gaelyn along trail
In the late 1920s, Utah Parks Company a concessionaire, built a pipeline from Roaring Springs to the North Rim to provide for all water needs. From 1965-70, another pipeline was built to the South Rim.

Trail along Bright Angel Creek
We continued to descend another two miles further to Cottonwood Camp where we stopped for the night. At this point we’d dropped about 4200 feet in almost seven miles. It sure felt good to get off my feet. Yet downhill hadn’t been too bad. Knees felt good. Just tired, a good kind of tired. Slept on the ground under the stars and could see a far off light high above from the North Rim’s Grand Lodge.

More trail along Bright Angel Creek
Up to this point we’d all hiked pretty much together. But in the morning everyone left separately and hiked at their own pace.

Bridge over Bright Angel Creek leads to Ribbon Falls
About one mile below the campground a spur trail leads to Ribbon Falls. I opted not to add any extra miles. Maybe next time.

Agave
So I continued following Bright Angel creek into…

The Box
…the Box, one of the most amazing sections of the trail yet. It hugs the 1200 foot high gorge walls and crosses the creek, on bridges, several times.

Phantom Ranch
Suddenly the box opens up to Phantom Ranch, a surprisingly green and open grassy area with willows and cottonwoods. In 1907 David Rust set up the first tent houses for visitor accommodations when hiking the Grand Canyon and later in 1921 Mary Colter designed the still used Phantom Ranch facilities.

The bunkhouse
I wandered wearily into the National Park Service bunkhouse and as I dropped my pack was offered a cold beer. All I heard was cold. I don’t usually drink beer, but it sure tasted good. Put up my tired feet and enjoyed the view. I had hiked almost 14 miles and dropped about 5800 feet in elevation.

View from the bunkhouse
OMG, I still had to climb out of this hole.

I want you all to know; I was extremely nervous about hiking the Grand Canyon and had almost talked myself out of going up to the night before we left. Then another Ranger reminded me that “it’s just one step at a time.”

To camp overnight in the Grand Canyon requires permits many months in advance. You must be prepared both physically and mentally for this adventure.