I have a friend who is super adventurous, and he hikes the GC a couple times a year. I would have joined in a heart beat if I still wasn't recovering from my last foot surgery. As it is, I volunteered to be a driver, to get the car from the north rim to the south while the hikers traversed 24+ miles of unforgiving desert.
Friday morning, I left with the first group and we headed up to the north rim. Arriving at about 5 pm, we decided to do a short hike from the campsite to the grand lodge. Now, since my surgery 6 weeks ago I haven't walked any long distances, and any walking I've done was on concrete and flat ground. I wasn't so sure about an almost 3-mile round trip on dirt and rocks and tree roots, but surprisingly the more I walked the better my foot felt! The lodge is beautiful! It is situated literally right at the edge of the cliff, and in the large front sitting room there are three huge bay windows with the most breathtaking views of the canyon. I could have sat on those couches all day. There's also a sitting area outside with more chairs, all facing the canyon. I would have given anything to sit there and just relax and read a good book.
Shortly after dark we headed back to the campsite. Since there wasn't much to do and we didn't have firewood and it was quickly becoming freezing cold, we made our beds and attempted to sleep. All I can say is I wish I had brought a foam pad and another blanket to put on top of my sleeping bag! I was freezing most of the night, even all bundled up in my clothes, and although I'm used to sleeping on the ground I guess I'm getting old because I could not get comfortable! Haha. As it was, not much sleep was had by anybody that night, especially the other group because they arrived at around 1 am.
Morning dawned cold and a little foggy. The 5 hikers seemed nervous but excited to get going. After packing up camp, we all drove the short distance to the Kaibab Trailhead. After some pictures and a prayer, they were off! I was almost nervous seeing them go. I know how dangerous the canyon can be, but I also had no doubt they would all make it out to other side in one piece.
Stephanie (the other driver) and I hiked a short distance down the trail to get a glimpse of the canyon, but the trail was in the trees for some distance so we decided to drive to the lodge instead. Once there, we hiked out to Bright Angel point (half mile round trip) and enjoyed the amazing views.
Around mid morning we left the north rim (which I was really sad to leave, it is gorgeous!) and arrived in Jacob's Lake. Of course I had to buy a cookie (or two) and we also needed to fill up on gas for the journey to the south rim. Since Stephanie hadn't really been to any of the popular stops along the way, I took on the job of tour guide. We stopped at some good lookout spots and then at Navajo Bridge which has awesome views of the mighty Colorado as it winds its way towards the GC. The river was as muddy as I have ever seen it, no doubt to all the rains in recent weeks.
After Navajo Bridge, there aren't any more scenic spots so we set our sights on the south rim. When we arrived around 2 pm, it was already fairly crowded. We stopped at some of the early lookout spots, and even braved the crowds at the Grand Canyon Village. Around 5, we decided to get to Bright Angel Lodge and Trailhead and await our hikers. The walkie talkies that we had finally worked when we were at the trailhead, and they told us they were at what was called 3-Mile House. Another hour or so and they'd be out!
Once Luke got cell service, he texted me and said him and Dave were behind the other three, as they were both having a rough time. Stephanie and I hiked down the trail a short way so we could see the switchbacks and watch for the other 3. We cheered them on when we saw them, then hiked the rest of the way out with them. Another hour or so later, the last two straggled out. They were both miserable but happy to be out.
After showers for the hikers, a meal in the small town just south of the park, and lots of caffeine for me, we were finally on our way home. I was exhausted but somehow we all made it home in one piece, arriving around 1:15 am.
Even though all I did was drive, I still had a total blast! Steph and I had fun exploring both rims and pretty much just being tourists. The crowds of foreigners were crazy but very interesting. I heard a lot of different languages, mostly French. Anyway, here's a picture dump! 
1 comment:
Totally gorgeous! I really want to do that hike one day! Btw come visit us some day!
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