Day05 Bright Angel Trail

(click 'title' to see Day 05 album)

Holy Crap we have to Hike out of here!

Bright Angel Trail Summary:

• Total Time: 5h 34 min (4 hours moving time)
• Speed: 3 km/h average
• Total Ascent: 1,323 m (4,340 ft)
• Total Distance: 16 km (avg. grade 11%)

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Morning arrived sooner than anyone would want. The group across from us were up earlier than the crack o’dawn and let me tell you ammo cans on metal tables is not a quiet thing. Needless to say we were up earlier than we wanted to be. Gary got the water going for the coffee then proceeded to make the Backpacker version of Denver omelets. We wrapped eggs in the left over tortillas and added ketchup or salsa and had our own version of breakfast burritos. Some of us had to tend to our 'BLUE' toes (those steps took their toll). Trail hikers and and a 4000ft decent don't cut it.

We packed up and hit the trail at 8:30. Spirits were high as we set out to stroll along the Colorado River for the first 3 km's. We discussed it and today we were not going to be those tired looking people we saw hiking out yesterday “Team S’more” (as we called ourselves) was going to greet everyone with a big smile no matter how we felt. The first run of switchbacks appeared a little daunting but the grade was low enough that it didn’t feel like you were going uphill. The first half of the hike was a nice meandering trail at a comfortable 7% gradient. A few steeper sections up through the Garden Creek Canyon leading to the mid point rest stop at Indian Gardens Campground for some food and water refills. The second half of the journey started out in a similar fashion. A Mule Deer grazing on the side of the trail, a few dances at the creek crossings and a comfortable grade that was just getting us closer to the 'WALL'.

It wasn't until the last 2.5 km and the final climb out at an average gradient of 13% where the legs started to feel it. Each 'Blue Toe' step felt like it was 12" high and 24" high if you stubbed your toe. All you see are switchbacks and people moving along at a turtle's pace. We pressed on to the top enjoying the beautiful views and taking pride in the fact that we just hiked out of the Grand Canyon!

The hike was absolutely amazing and the experience is hard to express in words or pictures. You really have to see it for yourselves.

(click 'picture' to see Day 05 album)

Day04 Down South Kaibab Trail

(click 'title' to see Day 04 album)

We hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back – Holy Crap!

Packing 115 pounds between us (the guys carried the brunt of the weight).

Indulging delicious freeze dried delicacies including s’mores – really?!?

South Kaibab Trail Summary:

• Total Time: 3h 10min total time (2 hours moving time)
• Speed: 4 km/h
• Total Decent: 1,430 m (4,693 ft),
• Total Distance: 11.3 km (avg. grade 13%)

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With a late start on Saturday, driving up from Sedona and arriving around 1 pm. We had to grab some food and sort out where to park and catch 2 buses to get to the trail head. The second bus was a little delayed due to an RV blocking the road and we started to worry a little that we were going to be setting up camp in the dark (based on the estimate of 4 hours down we were given).

Arrival at the trail head at 2:30pm, we began the decent. The first thing you see is a jaw dropping set of switchbacks the carries you down the cliff face leading you to the ridge line trail that is etched into the canyon walls. Every 5 steps was another view that deserved 10 pictures, but not one of them would truly capture what we were seeing. The decent was a comfortable grade, 6" log steps every meter that would come to haunt us later (Blue Toe Steps). We continued through the middle section that was just as picturesque and found ourselves making good time reaching the bottom of the last decent by 5:00pm. A short jaunt along the banks of the Colorado river and we arrived with plenty of time to set up camp.

There were only a couple sites available when we arrived and we were lucky enough to get a one along Bright Angel Creek. We pitched the tents and were careful to unload all our food into the ammo cans provided so that the critters didn’t ravage our packs. Gary strapped on the headlamp and cooked up a Mexican feast. Some precooked southwestern chicken, added a few veggies then rehydrated some beans and rice, wrapped it in a nicely warmed tortilla and that was dinner. The piece de resistance was the dessert – freeze dried s’mores. Imagine chocolate pudding with those little marshmallows that are in hot chocolate mix but because the water isn’t warmed they don’t really hydrate and melt, they remain crunchy. Add some graham crumbs to top it off and you have something that’s not particularly delicious but you “just can’t stop eating it”. With nothing to do after dinner (there are no campfires allowed) we headed up to Phantom Ranch to have a drink and play cards. We successfully completed the drink part of the mission but were too tired to break out the cards. Anticipating an early start we headed to bed around 9:30.

(click 'picture' to see Day 04 album)

Day 04 Getting ready to Go

Just distributing gear between the packs and getting ready to enjoy the breakfast buffet. 2 hour drive back to the Grand Canyon then green trail down red trail up!

Day03 Verde Canyon Railroad

Started the morning with coffee by the creek. Not quite 4am that we know Rick would have been swinging in the chair by. But still a good start.

Relax for the rest of the morning and then spent the afternoon exploring the Verde Canyon by train. As you can see from the pictures the scenery was quite spectacular.

Off to Grand Canyon tomorrow for the hike and overnight camp.

Day 02 Montezuma Tour

After checking into our hotel we headed south to visit Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. We were going to come back up to Sedona for sunset but decided to drive a little further to the outlet mall for an afternoon of shopping.
This afternoon we are heading to Clarkdale to ride the Verde Canyon Railroad and check out Tuzigoot National Monument.

Got the Permit

We were lucky enough to get the permit this morning so are heading to Sedona for two nights and driving back up Saturday to hike in.

Packing the Gear

Getting organized for departure. Trying to minimize gear to fit in 2 bags. Not sure we will get it done.