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| Hiking | 13.15 Miles |
4,042 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.15 Miles | | | |
| 4,042 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Months of planning (and a little extra training) and I was able to get in a hike on my Birthday Day at the Grand Canyon!
I have hiked down a few times, but I have never been on the Tonto Trail. So, the plan was to hike down South Kaibab to the Tonto and make it back up via the Bright Angel Trail.
We started in the dark at the South Kaibab Trailhead. The weather was a little chilly at the start, but turned very nice once the sun came up. We put on the spikes for about the first mile until the ice gave way to the dusty dirt. With cloudless skies, the sunrise was very subtle, but the light at Cedar Point for the golden hour was magnificent!
The hike down the South Kaibab was the usual amazing. We made it to the Tip Off and started along the Tonto Trail. This trail was a little up and down, but mostly flat. The views were amazing. I really like the areas that skirted the Burro Springs and Pipe Creek.
We made to the Bright Angel Trail and contemplated going out to Plateau Point, but decided to have a break, eat some lunch and head back up top.
I was a slow mover when the switchbacks started. I was getting some pains in my right hip going down the South Kaibab and it really started acting up on the way up Bright Angel. I am getting older, I wonder if there’s a hip replacement in my future?? It was on the outside, so perhaps it’s just hip flexor from over-doing it lately?
Even with the occasional stops going up, we made decent time and had our celebratory beers at the Bright Angel Trailhead.
One of the best BDay’s I’ve ever had, for sure. Next year, when I hit 60, I am planning a Rim to Rim. |
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"Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee." –Demetri Martin
instagram: @andydilling |
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