Getting ready to step off! 6.5 miles to the bottom from this point at the South Kaibab trailhead. We packed only what we needed, carried the latest lightweight backpacking gear but these packs are still full! The weather was beautiful. High in the 60's at the rim.
I think this is the mule train hauling the waste from the composting toilets along the trail. After 3 years of stewing, it's pretty ripe. Or maybe that's just the way mules smell.
Continuing along Cedar Ridge (O'Neill Butte in the background) we ran into one of several mule trains carrying those who don't carry themselves or their gear to the bottom. A lot of dust and fluorescent green land mines. What are they feeding these mules?
Rest stop #1 (Cedar Ridge). About 1.5 miles into the descent at this point. Lots of day hikers go down this far. We got the rock star treatment from the kids who asked "are you going to stay overnight at the bottom?" The adults didn't care.
Rest stop #2, north of the Natural Arch, about 4 miles into the descent. It really felt good to get the pack off the back. A little earlier on the trail two California Condors with their 9 foot wingspan soared over our heads. It sounded like a swarm of bees as they feathered their wings in the thermals.
Ah, the simple things taste so good! A Cliff Bar, string cheese, dark chocolate and homemade trail mix were staple snacks. We are moving to The Tipoff which takes you down the final 2 miles to the river.
She's so pretty! And a trail warrior too! I'm a lucky man. This is Panorama Point. Bright Angel campground is by the river. About 1.5 miles to go.
Ahhhhhhh! The Kaibab Bridge which crosses the Colorado River to get to the campground. Our knees are seriously aching. It took about 4 hours to get to this point.
The finest accommodations for the next two nights.
Bright Angel Creek is a major tributary for the Colorado. The creek is only 50 feet away
from the campsite complete with water rushing over boulders. You'd pay a premium for this at a resort hotel. Our cost, $5 per person per night.
I think this is the mule train hauling the waste from the composting toilets along the trail. After 3 years of stewing, it's pretty ripe. Or maybe that's just the way mules smell.
Continuing along Cedar Ridge (O'Neill Butte in the background) we ran into one of several mule trains carrying those who don't carry themselves or their gear to the bottom. A lot of dust and fluorescent green land mines. What are they feeding these mules?
Rest stop #1 (Cedar Ridge). About 1.5 miles into the descent at this point. Lots of day hikers go down this far. We got the rock star treatment from the kids who asked "are you going to stay overnight at the bottom?" The adults didn't care.
Rest stop #2, north of the Natural Arch, about 4 miles into the descent. It really felt good to get the pack off the back. A little earlier on the trail two California Condors with their 9 foot wingspan soared over our heads. It sounded like a swarm of bees as they feathered their wings in the thermals.
Ah, the simple things taste so good! A Cliff Bar, string cheese, dark chocolate and homemade trail mix were staple snacks. We are moving to The Tipoff which takes you down the final 2 miles to the river.
She's so pretty! And a trail warrior too! I'm a lucky man. This is Panorama Point. Bright Angel campground is by the river. About 1.5 miles to go.
Ahhhhhhh! The Kaibab Bridge which crosses the Colorado River to get to the campground. Our knees are seriously aching. It took about 4 hours to get to this point.
The finest accommodations for the next two nights.
Bright Angel Creek is a major tributary for the Colorado. The creek is only 50 feet away
from the campsite complete with water rushing over boulders. You'd pay a premium for this at a resort hotel. Our cost, $5 per person per night.
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