Cottonwood camp North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGood morning Amy
Cottonwood Camp at 4080 feet (1244 meters) was established in the 1920s as a layover for mule parties coming down from the North Rim. We human mules only carried 25 pound packs down 4170 feet (1275 meters) in 6.8 miles (10.9 km) on Day 1. After coffee and oatmeal, which presumably lightened the load, we felt good and ready to hit the trail early for Phantom Ranch including the Ribbon Falls diversion.
North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOza Butte glows under the morning sun
The campground is across from the intersection of The Transept and Bright Angel canyons.
North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaView back up to where the lodge is on Bright Angel Plateau
We waved at the lodge visitors lounging on the veranda and started our 7.9 mile (13 km) hike.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRibbon Falls
We took the side trail, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) out of Cottonwood campground, to Ribbon Falls. It’s a shorty, but we dropped our packs off on some boulders just off the main trail taking only water and cameras.
Monkey flowers Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMonkey flowers
This moist microclimate contrasts drastically with the surrounding desert. It’s so amazing to see waterfalls in the otherwise dry canyon bottom. It felt good to stand in the spray and soak our bandanas as the temperature climbed towards 80F/26.6C.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy almost behind the waterfall
Ribbon Creek flows through limestone dissolving and transporting calcium carbonate which then forms the travertine mound below the falls.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking through Ribbon Falls at the canyon walls
We continued to follow the slippery trail around the horseshoe shaped amphitheater.
Ribbon Falls North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan coming down the slope
Ribbon Creek North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRibbon Creek
Then came down slope back to Ribbon Creek and the trail back to the North Kaibab where we continued on into The Box.
Dragonfly North Kaibab trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDragon fly
After living in the desert so long I haven’t seen one of these in a while (other than on some other’s fabulous blogs).