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| Backpack | 20.50 Miles |
6,688 AEG |
| | Backpack | 20.50 Miles | | | |
| 6,688 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | After trying to get advance permits for the past year with no luck, we decided to go for a walk in permit to get this passage done. It worked out great, and we got in just two days after we started the process. We decided to take our time and just do 7 miles each day and lay low during the heat of the day. So we started down South Kaibab before 6am and made it down to Bright Angel Campground in time for lunch. Of course we had to stop along the way to take in the amazing views. It was very gusty on the way down, so we stayed away from the edges!  It was maybe in the upper 40's at the top of the south rim, and in the low 90's down below. So to beat the heat we headed to the cantina to nurse a lemon-aide for a few hours and stay cool. Oh, and a word of warning about those squirrels in the campground - I had my pack sitting on the bench right next me while I took out my food bag, and a squirrel managed to get into my hip pouch and steal my snack (macadamia nuts and dried cranberries!) and my salt tabs (but they left those laying on the ground) in a matter of seconds. And I later found a hole in my camelback near the top (thankfully) and some bite marks on the compactor bag it was in. Lesson learned.
After a warm night camped right along the creek, we packed up for an early hike on to Cottonwood Campgound. It was a lovely hike along the creek, and again we beat the heat and rested in the shade near the camp. I was amazed at how green it was along the way. Lots of deer too. Unfortunately the bridge to Ribbon Falls was out so we did not go that way, but did see it from the trail.
Day three we hiked up to the north rim. We got up there by 11:30 and decided to go up toward the entrance and hike back to the rim to get part of the next passage done. A nice couple from Canada that we had met along the way gave us a ride. We told them they are what is known as trail angels and they were so happy to learn that. Really sweet people. Anyway, we did come across some snow piles, but not much at all, and the trail was not too muddy either. BUT, there were lots of downed trees along the way, so we opted to walk the dirt road that went along side the trail for a little bit. It was getting very windy and cold by the time we got back to the rim, and the walk to the campground was cold. We had heard there may be some rooms open at the lodge since they had just opened (earlier than expected), so we walked over there with high hopes. They DID have rooms, but said they are not going to fill them because they were short staffed (I get that, but really? I was a paying customer and begged them not to send us out in what was now a blowing snow!). Long story short, we just camped out downstairs in the lounge, which they said was fine (even if not the best move from a customer service standpoint). We had the place to ourselves at least, but did not get much sleep. No worries, we just had to catch the trans-canyon shuttle back to the south rim the next day to get our cars and drive home.
All in all an epic journey through the canyon. Just an amazing place, and our favorite passage for sure. |
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