Grand Canyon Trip Day 16: February 25.
Backpacking Trip Day 1 from South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch.
My backpacking trip started today. I got up early so I would have time for coffee and breakfast before leaving on my trip. Kate dropped me off at the backcountry permit office and we boarded the orange hiker’s express bus to the South Kaibab trailhead. It was 9F and very cold at the top.
We put on microspikes to give us traction in the snow and ice but didn’t have to wear them long. The hike was amazing… the scenery was so gorgeous and around every switchback a new view exploded into my senses. At times you could look down and see the trail zigzag back and forth. Other times you could see the trail in the distance. We kept descending… descending… descending… almost 5, 000 feet in total.
My first view of the Colorado River was exciting. The green color of the water was mesmerizing. The rapids were beautiful and impressive. Then we saw the black bridge… it has a solid wooden floor and is the one that the mules use to cross the Colorado River.
It was not long and we were crossing the bridge to go to Bright Angel Campground to get our campsite set up. Dinner was beef stew at Phantom Ranch at 7 pm. It was dark and rather chilly but the food was hot and yummy. Back at the camp we sat around for a while and chatted. Since it was chilly everyone hit the sack early to bed down for the night. As I eased into my tent I looked up again to see the amazing stars and Milky Way shining so bright in the dark night sky. Amazing. Just amazing.
@monikozi oh you are so welcome... I was/am overwhelmed by the beauty of this place that I got to visit and share with you... I've just begun reviewing and editing the pictures from my backpacking trip. So far I've only looked at day 1.
@marlboromaam Mags... thanks for coming along with me on my journey... can't wait to return to this magical place... hope to do the rim to rim journey next... it goes from the North Rim to the South Rim and ads another 7-8 miles to the journey.
Yoooouuuuu!!!
Dear me! I love the green of the water. I love the colour palette. Thank you so much for sharing all these superb places.
@marlboromaam Mags... thanks for coming along with me on my journey... can't wait to return to this magical place... hope to do the rim to rim journey next... it goes from the North Rim to the South Rim and ads another 7-8 miles to the journey.
@mittens thanks Marilyn.
@byrdlip thanks so much J A.