Here is our trail map. Down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail. Follow along as you read the recap.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
We left Carmenita Middle School @ around 8:30 and drove 91 east, 15 north, 40 east, crossing the Cali/Ariz border and then 64 north to Grand Canyon. It was about 500 miles going there and it took almost 8 hours. We met all kind of weather while we drove. First rain and then saw snow as we elevated. On 64 north, we experienced snow as it snowed on us as we entered the park. That was a blast. Entered the national park and checked in at Mather campground. It was snowy as we set up our tents. So that night, our tent was cold. My legs were frozen but I still survived. We couldn't see Grand Canyon. It was more like "White Canyon". I saw a elk and took a picture of it on the road. It was a COLD night, under 32 degrees.
Our snowy Mather Campground that we camped in the 1st night.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday. We took down camp and packed our gear up into our backpacks and then headed on the shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The sun was out by then and the snow was melting. So we hiked down from about 6800 feet. Our goal was the Bright Angel Campground, adjacent to the Colorado River, about 2000 feet. The weather that day was perfect as 75 degree. Not too hot or not too cold. It was awesome. Going downhill was the hardest. Those steps were killers and it made your knee painful. We stopped many times for breaks and even had a lunch break. We saw the colorado river and knew that was our goal but we just kept walking. It seemed forever until we reached the Kaibab Bridge, crossing the river to the otherside. Again, the switchbacks and all downhill made my knee sore. The Bright Angel Campground was really neat. We attended a program at night as it talked about the different animals of Grand Canyon. That was neat. Also sunday night was the best sleep I got at Grand Canyon. I did not wake up the whole night. Just fell asleep. We hiked 6.3 miles in about 5-6 hours, 10:30 to around 3:30-4. Restroom there was almost like home. Flush toilets and mirrors with light and sink in the campground. We should go to National Park everytime we got backpacking.
Imagine going down these steps for 6.3 miles..
The Kaibab Bridge.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Day 2 of the hike. We were going from Bright Angel Campground to Indian Garden Campground. Went on the Bright Angel Trail. About 1000 feet elevation uphill. We unpacked camp and headed for trail. First stopped by the Colorado River and took a picture right next to it. This way we have exact proof we reached the bottom. Those rocks on the bottom are billion years old. On the top rim, it is about 270 million years old. I illegally took a small rock home. Haha. Anyways so we hiked along the river for a while before starting to gain elevation and turning inland. Started going up. It wasn't that tough at first but that one set of switchbacks killed us. It was really steep and I just managed to go through it. Reached camp around 2:00, hiking for about 6 hours and about 4.3 miles. Indian Garden, I don't like that campsite. So many bugs and insects. Also lots of fiber or pollen from the trees that fell as the wind blew. We were about 3100feet elevation. We played cards together at night too. Also, the freeze dry food was the best freeze dry I had ever eaten. Perfect food. I also found signal and called home that evening.
Me right on the shoreline of Colorado River.
The trial leading to Indian Garden.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
My birthday, I turned 15. I got my card from my parents that they gave to Mr. Prana, who gave it to me. That card had a mountain one. IT was a great motivation. Woke early and unpacked campsite again. We left around 8 AM and started the final stretch of the hike, about 4.9 miles. It first went smooth as it was all flat and gradual increasing uphill. We had to gain about 3100 feet elevation that day. Then it was switchback time as I counted 7 sets of switchback. First set wasn't that tought as it was gradual increase and we reached the 3 mile resthouse. Rested there and then went up a few more switchbacks which became tougher and tougher. Reached the 1.5 mile resthouse and we saw our destination, the top but it seemd forever in going up. Kept going uphill back and forth. It was tough. My calf and quads were extremely sore. Finally reached the final switchback and then made it ot the top. I was really happy and energetic that I completed this hike. Called home from there. Then, we went to eat food at this restaurant which was the best. I had spagetti for lunch and fish for dinner. It was a nice birthday. That night became really cold and windy and we still had to camp out. I was cold again.
We have hiked this much so far, as viewed from 3-mile resthouse. The green trees is Indian Garden, where we started from.
The 1.5 mile resthouse.
I finally made it!!!
The final leg of the hike.
Spagetti, which was the best food we had in 3 days. It was delicious.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Travel day as we came back home in just under 8 hours. Total mileage we traveled was just less thatn 1000 miles, 997. It felt good sleeping on my bed that night.
Overall, this trip was ablast. Celebrating my birthday and being less thatn 1% of 15 million people, its a honor. IT was challenging but WE MADE IT.
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