My pack weigh in
Packed the night before our hike and I was sure Amy’s pack weighed much more than Jan or mine’s. But they were 24, 25, and 26 pounds. Not too bad. They did seem to get heavier along the way though.
Gaelyn, Amy and Jan
Left about 9:30am and mid 40sF. FabGrandma drove us to the trailhead so we wouldn’t have to leave a car or walk an extra two miles. Thanks Karen!
View into Roaring Springs Canyon from North Kaibab trailhead
The fall colors of Quaking Aspen and Rocky Mountain Maple were still brilliant as we quickly dropped in elevation through the Douglas-fir forest. The ladies were already in awe. They had driven in the night before and hadn’t even looked into the canyon.
North Kaibab trail into Roaring Springs Canyon
Our route began at 8250 feet (2515 meters) and it’s a 3000 foot (930 meters) drop to the intersection of Bright Angel Canyon.
Packed the night before our hike and I was sure Amy’s pack weighed much more than Jan or mine’s. But they were 24, 25, and 26 pounds. Not too bad. They did seem to get heavier along the way though.
Gaelyn, Amy and Jan
Left about 9:30am and mid 40sF. FabGrandma drove us to the trailhead so we wouldn’t have to leave a car or walk an extra two miles. Thanks Karen!
View into Roaring Springs Canyon from North Kaibab trailhead
The fall colors of Quaking Aspen and Rocky Mountain Maple were still brilliant as we quickly dropped in elevation through the Douglas-fir forest. The ladies were already in awe. They had driven in the night before and hadn’t even looked into the canyon.
North Kaibab trail into Roaring Springs Canyon
Our route began at 8250 feet (2515 meters) and it’s a 3000 foot (930 meters) drop to the intersection of Bright Angel Canyon.
Only 10 miles (16.1 km) across as the Condor flies.
Mule riders on Coconino overlook
It’s .7 miles (1.1 km) to this first great overlook. Many day hikers come this far. The overlook sits at the bottom of the Toroweap limestone deposited some 270 million years ago by an inland sea. The Coconino sandstone was formed by dunes some 275 million years ago.
Mule riders on Coconino overlook
It’s .7 miles (1.1 km) to this first great overlook. Many day hikers come this far. The overlook sits at the bottom of the Toroweap limestone deposited some 270 million years ago by an inland sea. The Coconino sandstone was formed by dunes some 275 million years ago.
Fall colors below the Coconino sandstone
Two miles (3.2 km) down it was almost 60F where we removed layers at the Supai Tunnel, blasted into the rock by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. Also used the services, compost toilet, and topped off water bottles for the 4 miles (6.4 km) to the Roaring Springs Ranger residence where the next water was available. Unfortunately the water spigot at Roaring Springs only 3 miles (4.8 km) away has been broken most of the summer.
Looking down to the Redwall Bridge
The habitat below the tunnel changes to a pinyon-juniper woodland with cliff rose, broadleaf yucca, Utah serviceberry and rabbitbrush. The stair-stepped red rock of the Supai Group formed between 315 and 285 million years ago.
Still a long way to go ladies.
Fossil of possibly a conifer
The Supai reveals a variety of rock reflecting changes in coastal conditions as sea levels fluctuated.
Calcite crystals
Conglomerate of pebbles
Fossil of possibly a conifer
The Supai reveals a variety of rock reflecting changes in coastal conditions as sea levels fluctuated.
Calcite crystals
Conglomerate of pebbles
We crossed the Redwall Bridge entering a desert environment.
I'm sure to post more about this hike to the river. And of course I'll be posting the Colorado River trip, probably for weeks if not months.
Will try to catch up when I return.
40 comments:
I enjoyed the hike and I didn't even have to endure the pounding on my aging joints with the long downhill.
Such beautiful photos of your journey! Its great to see your experience, and brings back memories from when I hiked down. It was one of my first hikes, and I would love to go back to experience it again in a new way! I look forward to seeing more of your adventure!
Maybe I need to set up a group blogger hike for next year.
I still want to hike the Arizona Trail which traverses this stretch. It would be in the Autumn though like now before the big snows come.
Will you be rangering here again Gaelyn in the next north Rim Canyon Season?
Do you have any photos of Supai Tunnel? I have especially been wanting to see that. I am loving the photos of your hike, thank you for taking us all along with you.
fantastic. I'm forward to Part 2!
Fantastic!! Brilliant!! Thanks Gaelyn. I can't wait to see the rest. Is the PC okay now.
Beautiful vistas, Gaelyn! I love all that red rock (no red rock in Holland)! U can tell you have done this many times :)
Laughed at Martha's comment; my sentiments exactly. What can I say that you don't know already? Breathtakingly beautiful scenery, a geological adventure, and woweee, what a photo op. I will definitely come again one day to the Grand Canyon. Well named, it is.
What a wonderful hike, I love all the red rock. Your photos are awesome as usual and I love your new header photo.
Looks like a great hike! That tree fossil is fascinating.
I just can't get over the fasinating views.
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L
Looking forward to see the rest of the hike.
Wowee WowWowee!!! Need I say more?
The views and geology make it all worthwhile eh? MB
I liked the weight of my pack on this hike.
Gaelyn: That was one brave girl in the shorts. Really neat photos of the walk, what fun.
enjoying the hike ... i know i will not like lugging the 20 some extra pounds back up though.
beautiful weather you had.
There you are! What fun. I'm just reading Nevada Barr's Winter Study. The agony of backpacking...I spent two hours on my feet at CranFest, as I wrote, my back is still hurting. I'd rather be moving! Lots of fun.
Really fascinating hike this must be. Many people would consider it a once in a lifetime chance! I always enjoy your commentary on the rock formations.
I have never been there and would love to. I enjoyed your photographs and post about the hike so much.
i would love to do that hike without those bags coz i know they'll become heavier as the travel goes. Love the pics you took along the hike. Your header pic is really beautiful!
What a great time of year to hike into the Grand Canyon! My knees are sore just reading about it though. I enjoy climbing up better than going down. ;-)
Gorgeous images, the views, fall foliage and red earth colors are just breathtaking!
Am considering swimming to America... I love how everytime you post about the park, you find something new to tell us.
The scarce water is what would make me the most nervous. And some was unavailable?
Gaelyn, these photos are stunning and your post enthralling. Look forward to the next posts. Hope the puter is fixed. Mine is still in "dry dock" ! (((Hugs))) Jo
Great photographs. I really enjoyed reading this.
What did you need such heavy backpacks for or will you be camping out? Beautiful hike, lovely photos.
Your brother is right - Vegas has been hit hard by the recession.
A group blogger hike sounds awesome! This looks like so much fun (and hard work).
Great looking hike! I've been on almost all of it, spread out over 20 years! Just missing the stretch from Roaring Springs to the Ribbon Falls turnoff
I kind of agree with Martha too! Although, seriously, now - I'd love to have been along with you. Look forward to seeing the rest of the photos. Yet more stunning scenery from your part of the world.
Janice.
You do need to set up a group blogger hike! Your post brings back fond Canyon memories for me.
Wow, that's quite a beautiful hike. Too bad I'm not closer to AZ -- I'd love to participate in a blogger's hike like this!
Beautiful photos and great scenery! Smart to keep the pack weight down.
I am enjoying your hike vicariously! love all the photos!
Looks like a great hike into the canyon.
Hope you have a wonderful river trip experience. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
cool hike~ look forward to hearing about your river trip~
I commented last time, but will do so again. It must be one of the most awesome experiences hiking in and around the canyon. You truly are fortunate to be right there.
Nice post.
Regards!
I'm glad I'm hiking along in cyberspace. It looks beautiful.
ahhh! FUN FUN FUN! So jealous. I was supposed to hike the PCT next month for 3 weeks and am not able to now - totally bummed. Have fun! :)
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