Grand Canyon Trip

“This past weekend my son and I hiked down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon. We spent the night at the Phantom Ranch and were able to catch a great meteor shower on Saturday night at the Colorado River.

The weather was perfect and my son, who doesn't normally enjoy hiking, really enjoyed the trip.

Here are some pictures I took:

I posted some pictures of our Grand Canyon trip. My pictures on the way down the South Kaibab Trail came out better than the ones up the Bright Angel Trail. If you haven't done this trip, I recommend it - especially this time of year.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1395621&a=14011307&f=0”

“wingdingO, when did you get your permits? I'm heading there this weekend, not sure what hikes to do though. I'm hoping to be able to get a walk-in backcountry permit but my hopes are not set too high.”

“Looks like it was a great trip! We went down the Bright Angel during the summer, its so much hotter and dryer then. What were the temps like for you?”

“That is a beautiful hike. Thanks for the memories!!”

“We did that route about ten years ago -- in mid-August, *yikes*. It was that 'dry heat' we'd heard so much about (112 F). Words cannot express how good that beer at Phantom Ranch tasted.

Sanity returned and we came back up to Indian Gardens in the dark. What does that Devil's Corkscrew look like in daylight? I quit counting the switchbacks at 40-something.”

“Great pictures Wingding. Looks like you guys had a great time!”

“What does that Devil's Corkscrew look like in daylight?
Mule sh!t.

Nice pics WingdingO”

“Yep! At least it wasn't baking in the sun! Actually it was the mule p!ss in full sunlight at 100 degrees that was so very aromatic.

Funny, the things one remembers...”

“How could you forget??!!”

“Those #@##@ mules and their waste products were the only bad part of the trip.

How do I make a link?”

“We had reservation over a year in advance because our plan included meals and a bed at the Phantom Ranch. They say November is the dryest month. It was Sunny and in the 70's at the bottom during the day (down to the 40's at night). The rim got down to 20 something at night, but warmed up to the 60's during the day. I think it's hard to get a camping site at the Bright Angel or Indian Garden Campgrounds from March through November. If you plan on going down one of the less traveled routes (my plan for the next trip), I don't think it's that hard to get a permit. Also, they said that you can get a bed at the Phantom Ranch pretty easy in January. You'd have snow along the trail that time of year, but not at the river.”

“Wow, the weather sounds like it was about perfect for you! We went in June and we have pictures next to the thermometer at Indian Gardens with it reading 118. And, I don't think I would ever again hike any of the trails that are used by mules. That was nasty.”

“The Thanksgiving weekend thing might make it a bit harder to get a permit. Usually this time of year there is plenty of room. Read up and have a back up request or two ready and you should be able to get a permit if you are not too picky. The rangers will not suggest anything to you that might be open but will only check what you ask for.

My sister and I used to have a song about those mules to the tune of how about them tummy gummers.”

“How did that one go, MP?”

“Hi, I am hijacking this thread rather than create a new one.

My family and I just got back from a trip to Phoenix to see my sister. We went all over the place, down to Tucson, up to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, and Zion. We did a little bit of hiking but nothing big since it was really hot. Phoenix was 109 and I couldn't stand it. We did decide to backpack in Zion in the future sometime, although I don't know when we could get back there. The whole northern AZ, southern Utah area was pretty awesome. There was a phenomenal lava flow near Cedar Breaks that we never got the story on. Lots of dead pine trees due I think to the bark beetle, that was pretty heartbreaking to see.

Anyway, I want to live in Sedona some day. Very nice art community and beautiful scenery.

My kids really enjoyed the trip. They were very inspired by the "real" mountains out west. The towns of Kanab and Carmel were really nice, near the North Rim and Zion. Lots of water there compared to most of the area which was extremely parched.”

“That's a GREAT part of the country. The last two times I've crossed the Mississippi, I've wound up at the Grand Canyon both times!”