I left Phoenix at 4:10 AM and reached the south rim (Yaki Point) at 7:20, just a few minutes before sunrise. The images of the Grand Canyon in the morning a few minutes after sunrise are probably the most beautiful .
Entered the canyon at 8:00 AM. It was quite cold. Descent to Tonto Junction took 2 hours and another 50 minutes to the black bridge across the Colorado River. In the inner Gorge it was much warmer than at the south rim in the morning.
After I had rested for about 45 minutes I started to ascend at 11:45 AM. The first half of the ascent was OK but then it started to become strenuous. It took me almost 4 hours to hike out of the canyon and it was still quite chilly up there.
It is one of the most impressive hikes i have ever done. Though it is 4500 feet elevation gain and, which is probably the most strange thing of them all, that the descent comes first.
If I have more time I will come back and do a 3 or 4 day hike in the canyon.
Resume: GRAND