The Grand Canyon in May

Lucky me to be able to hike the Grand Canyon twice in two months! This time we had a diverse group dubbed the Grand Canyon Nine made up of me, Shannon, Kathy, Penny, Cathy, Jackie, Jessie, Kirky and Karen.  Some of us were family, some old friends, and some didn't even know each other at the start, but we soon formed a close and lively team.  We were famous long before we reached Phantom Ranch, and even had an original song written for us by our new friend Mark who we met on the trail on the way down when he kindly agreed to take a group picture.  It was Mark who dubbed us the Grand Canyon Nine . . .



  The first six to arrive were Penny, Kathy, me, Shannon, Jackie, and Cathy.

 The night before our hike we had drinks and dinner at the historic El Tovar Lodge, sitting on the deck with sweeping views of the Grand Canyon.

       The "youngsters", Jackie, Kirky, Jessie, Shannon and Karen, clowning around as usual!

                                         Grand Canyon Sunset

We were in high spirits waiting for the 7 am Hiker's Shuttle to take us to the South Kaibab trailhead.  We planned to hike down the South Kaibab trail,  losing 5000 feet of elevation in 6.7 miles, spend two nights at the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon, then hike up the 9.5 mile Bright Angel trail back to the South Rim.

 The Grand Canyon Nine, ready to start our adventure on the Kaibab trail.

 This is our view from the South Kaibab trailhead.  At this point we can't see down into the Inner Gorge where the Phantom Ranch is located.

 The trail starts right out heading down, with steep switchbacks still in the shade of the cliffs.

 We all had our pictures taken at Ooh Aah Point, and you can see why!

 The South Kaibab Trail follows high ridges in the Canyon almost the entire way down, so there are panoramic views with every step.  The challenge is to look down at the trail once in a while so you don't trip on a rock and make a quick trip to the bottom!

 At Cedar Ridge we stopped for a break, and the "kids" wanted to play on the monkey bars, otherwise known as the hitching posts for the mule trains!  We cheered them on and took pictures . . .

 The rock formations in the Canyon are rugged and beautiful.

 This sign made us wonder who met a deadly fate here, and when, and how???

 As the trail approaches the inner gorge it gets very steep again, as you can see from the many switchbacks on this section.

 Sometimes it's best just to hike in silence to absorb the peace and beauty of the Canyon . . .

As we headed into the Inner Gorge we began to get views of the Colorado River far below, and the bridge we'll cross to get over to the Phantom Ranch.

              Kirky, Jessie, and Shannon strike a pose worthy of the Grand Canyon . . .

       Lemon Yellow Prickly Pear Cactus Bloom

 Kathy Near the End of the Trail

 After five or so hours of spectacular hiking we arrived at the Phantom Ranch, our home for the next two days.

 We had hot and tired feet, so Shannon and Jessie decided to soak them in Bright Angel Creek in front of our dorm.  We all soon joined them.....

Jackie, Kathy and Jessie on the North Kaibab Trail by Bright Angel Creek

On our "rest" day in the Canyon, seven of us started up the North Kaibab Trail for a hike to Ribbon Falls, while Penny and Cathy decided to hike up the Clear Creek Trail to a viewpoint above.  The North Kaibab trail follows the Bright Angel Creek for the six miles to Ribbon Falls, then heads another eight miles up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

 We stopped to admire a huge blooming Agave plant, also known as a century plant.  They bloom only once after many years of growth, then die, but their exit is spectacular with a huge blossom!

 After six miles on the No. Kaibab trail we took a spur trail over the creek to the beautiful Ribbon Falls, which the Zuni people believe is their place of origin.  It cascades off the high red cliffs onto a moss-covered rocky outcrop, creating a red cave behind it.  We climbed up into this cave, where you can gaze out through the sparkling drops of water to the cliffs of the Canyon beyond - a truly magical place.  There we ate our lunch before climbing down the rocks to the bottom of the falls, where we stood in the falling water . . .it was cold!

     Shannon, Jessie and Kirky in the Cave Behind the Waterfall

 At the bottom of the falls there is a small cave where the moss grows out from the rocks underneath.  You can stick your head into this cave if you can stand the cold water on your head!

 We saw many varied and colorful lizards on this hike, like this handsome fellow with a "necklace".

 This deer was cooling off in Bright Angel Creek . . . it was very hot, somewhere in the 90's, so I'm sure it felt good!  We saw quite a bit of wildlife during our time in the Grand Canyon - fox, bats, elk, deer, lizards, condors, ravens, a rattlesnake, squirrels, and some even saw a scorpion.  The ranger told us there are also mountain lions and bighorn sheep, but we didn't see them.

 The next day we got up at 4:30 am, had breakfast at 5, and were on the trail before 6 to try to get in as much of our climb as possible before the heat of the day.  Here we're hiking along the Bright Angel Trail as it follows the Colorado River.  We had just crossed over the bridge in the distance.

 The trail climbs gently at first as it follows the river, so everyone was feeling good!

 Penny and Kathy stopped for a rest as the trail got steeper . . .

 As we started up the switchbacks below Indian Gardens we came upon the elusive Grand Canyon Pink rattlesnake . . . he was on the trail, and rattled at Shannon as she approached, but he wasn't in the mood for trouble and slithered off the trail into the brush.  He looked huge!

 At Indian Gardens, about halfway up, we stopped for lunch and a rest.  With Kirky's help Jackie entertained us by modelling the elegant snuggie she was carrying,  even though the temperatures were in the high 80s . . .

 The last half of the Bright Angel Trail is steep, hot, and long, with lots of switchbacks and little shade.  Our team spread out along the trail, stopping often for water and rest . . .and to look back to see how far we'd come.

 Indian Gardens is the green patch way below!

 This square arch is a sign that you're almost to the top!  And just in time . . . .everyone is hot and tired . .

 Success!!!!  We made it back to the South Rim after a fabulous adventure!

 Looking back down into the Canyon we could see Indian Gardens and the Bright Angel Creek canyon way below.

    Evening in the Grand Canyon

 This is Trailview Lookout, where you can see the entire length of the Bright Angel Trail from Indian Gardens to the top.  From this vantage point it's easy to see why it was so strenuous!

 The Bright Angel Trail as it climbs up the several-thousand foot cliffs to the South Rim

                   Twisted Tree

Farewell to the Grand Canyon!  Until next time . . . .