We drove into Grand Canyon National Park from Laguna. From 85 degrees to freezing and snow in Arizona. From bathing suits to smart wool?
Checked into Maswik Hotel to rest up before before the big hike down the Kaibab to Phantom Ranch.
Going down was challenging, but the views were spectacular! It was hard to hike well, when every turn was more breath taking than the one before.
We finally reached the bottom and we did good. Tome for a hot shower. What? No water? Problem with pipeline. Common occurrence at Phantom. Getting water down through the canyon is logistically difficult. So we dusted ourselves off and carried on. Thank goodness we everyone was a little dirty and dusty too!
We had a wonderful meal, vegetable beef stew with cornbread, salad and chocolate cake. The menu never changes at Phantom. Lee and I set next to someone from his home town area. Amazing! They had RV'ed to Arizona. After dinner we went to our cabin and we were in bed by 8:00pm.
Woke up next morning for breakfast, but could not move. Our bodies were so sore, but after breakfast we were moving a little better. Thank goodness! We decided it would be a good idea to walk off our pains.
Hiked to Ribbon Falls, round trip 15 miles! Did we feel better? No, but it was a beautiful hike, including a picnic, along the Colorado River. Not too hard, until the end and it was more like rock clinging.
Good news! After we returned to Phantom Ranch, WATER! Time for some hot water therapy.
After dinner, back to the cabin straight to bed. Tomorrow we were facing a bigger and more strenuous hike - Bright Angel Trail. Ten miles straight up.
When I woke up colder temps and a rainy forecast. My body hurt worse, but the only way out is up! So up we went.
It was an amazing hike up, the canyon was so picturesque! We reached Indian Gardens and had a great picnic. As we were packing up, it started to rain.
Now when we did the Camino, we were well equipped with rain gear. Thank goodness Lee had his rain jacket and an umbrella. We started up again with an umbrella. That did not work, so Lee gave me his rain jacket and he used the umbrella. We walked in rain for about 45 minutes.
Finally the rain stopped and the trail was icy and a little slushy Not great weather for a strenuous hike. Next step, clamp ons.
Needless to say, we finished! Not one minute too soon as it was getting dark. It took us 10 hours! Lee finished in 8 hours when he did it four years ago.
Oh well, we survived and we can check this hike off the list! Would I recommend... Yes! It was beautiful, spectacular, fabulous, amazing and absolutely breath taking! Mother Nature did good!!!
Enjoy the pics...
