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| Hiking | 12.50 Miles |
4,320 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.50 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.79 mph |
| 4,320 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | My 10 year old son and I had been preparing for our trip to the Grand Canyon with plans on hiking the Bright Angel Trail as safely as possible, hopefully from the South Rim trailhead to Plateau Point and back. We left from the trailhead shortly after 6AM on the morning of June 30th which is not the most recommended time to hike, but when that's when you're at the Canyon, that's when you have to go. We each had hiking sticks, about 5 bottles of water and powerade, numerous energy bars, and a box of crackers.
We had a smooth steady decent throughout all the switchbacks and were pleased to reach the 1.5 mile resthouse after about an hour. Drinks and an energy bars all around. With every consumed bottle of liquid we made sure to fill up with water and pack it again. We continued at a pace of 1.5 miles in an hour and reached the Indian Gardens at around 9AM. We mutually decided to keep going the 1.5 miles to Plateau Point, even though temperatures would be close to 100 degrees when we would be there. It was hot, but well worth it. It took us only about 20 minutes to make it to Plateau Point and were the only people there at the time. Simply and incredible experience. After about 20 minutes at PP, we started our journey back toward Indian Gardens and arrived around 10AM which was a blessing as it was definitely starting to heat up. The hike back up was tough and without the food and beveridges we packed, we would have been in trouble. At the 1.5 mile rest area, a desert bighorn sheep crossed our trail to add to the excitement as we diligently broke for shade in 2 minute rest-stops whenever we found it. About 1 mile from the top, I was really starting to feel a bit winded and was really looking forward to seeing that quaint little brown artist shop at the top of the trail. My son kept encouraging me which was really quite cute. I had forgotten about the elevation and I guess the lack of oxygen up there, combined with the 11 miles hiked already, was taking it's toll. But we prevailed and are all the better for hiking the Bright Angel Trail.
To those who have never hiked the Bright Angel Trail and plan to, just use your head and go prepared. Take plenty of water and the proper food with you. Wear a hat to keep the sun from frying you out, and I definitely recommend using a hiking stick. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
