To the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

Seeing the PBS series on the National Parks makes me want to get out to a park really soon. We have been to a dozen or more, but one trip that remains in the forefront of my memories was the trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. My wife wanted a significant adventure for a significant birthday. Her choice was to hike in and out of the Grand Canyon from the top of the south rim to the Colorado River and back again.

Her brothers and wives/partners joined us. In May 2006, we headed down the South Kaibab Trail. It is about 7 miles in length and an elevation drop of 4780 feet.

We camped near the Colorado River at the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch. We hiked out via the Bright Angel Trail; it was 9.8 miles with an elevation gain of about 4500 feet. The trip back to the top seemed like 100 miles. We were all glad to have done it. My wife and I plan to do a rim to rim (North Rim to South Rim) hike through the canyon. It is something over 20 miles.