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The Grand Canyon is awesome. Mike and our two oldest children hiked down the South Kaibab Trail one day and back up the Bright Angel Trail the next. These pictures show off some of the journey, which we'll remember the rest of our lives. We all had a great time at Grand Canyon National Park. |
Grand Canyon sunset, another view
Mike and two oldest ready to hike, 7 a.m., 7200 ft. (top)
Still near the top of South Kaibab Trail, 7.1 miles to bottom!
South Kaibab Trail, not yet to Cedar Ridge (6060 ft.)
Looking down from South Kaibab Trail at ~6200 ft. above sea level
Kids at Skeleton Point, 5200 ft.
View of Colorado River from South Kaibab Trail, 5200 ft.
Energetic after water/jerky break, ~9:52 a.m., 5200 ft.
Mules moving up trail as we hike down
One switchback of many on the hike down
Looking west from Tipoff, 4.6 miles in, 3870 ft., 10:22 a.m.
Looking up from where we'd hiked at Tipoff
Looking down to what's left to hike from Tipoff
Resting at the last flat spot (and toilet) at Tipoff
Moving below 3500 ft. and closer view of Colorado River
Black bridge over Colorado River visible further down trail
At entrance to cave by bridge by Colorado River, 6.7 miles in, 11:50 a.m.
Cooling off in Bright Angel Creek (arrived ~12:20 pm.), 7.1 miles, 2546 ft.
Bright Angel Creek with kids framed by Canyon
Proof we made it to Phantom Ranch (is it really there or a mirage...)
Our campsite, where we slept on tarp under the stars with bats overhead
Next day, hiking up Bright Angel Trail, after crossing silver bridge, 6:16 a.m.
Still cool in the shade, 7:33 a.m. (total trail length will be 9.6 miles)
View from Bright Angel Trail across to North Rim
Moving up through switchbacks, ~3000 ft.
Getting hotter in the sun, 7:51 a.m.
View up from Indian Gardens at 9 a.m. (hiked 5.1 miles, 4.5 to go)
Leaving Indian Gardens refreshed at 9:30, 100 F. in sun....
Trail up to top all in sun now, hot! 10:30 a.m.
Refreshing water break in shady spot on trail
Looking down on green Indian Gardens Campground
3 Mile Rest House, 4760 ft., 11:07 a.m. (hiked 6.6 miles)
Refreshed from water dunking at 3 Mile Rest House, hiking up....
Big horn sheep above 1.5 Mile Rest House (less than mile to go)
Pair of big horn sheep on Bright Angel Trail
Less than mile to go, Bright Angel Trail, 1:47 p.m.
We made it! At South Rim, 6860 ft., 2:20 p.m.
Looking back on Bright Angel and Plateau Point Trails from South Rim
Indian Gardens Campground in green along trail, 4.5 mi. from rim
Sunset looking at South Kaibab trail
Cactus flower from prickly pear cactus
Early morning departure from Grand Canyon
View of South Kaibab trail which followed ridge line
Beautiful wife at beautiful overlook
Oldest daughter at canyon's edge
Distant view of Colorado River from South Rim
Diane and oldest daughter by Desert View Tower at east edge of South Rim
