Hiking Grand Canyon Day 4 - To the Top

Just frozen brains

It was hard to get out of our sleeping bags that morning at Indian Garden. Low 13 F! Both of us had ice on our stocking caps. Yet nature and coffee called.

Looking at the North Rim, Home Sweet Home

After breakfast we walked west towards Plateau Point overlook to warm up before heading up 3100 feet (945 m) for the final trek of 4.6 miles (7.4 km).

Yes, that’s Mike in front of that over weight pack

The trail starts up rather gradually across the Tonto Formation. Then Jacobs Ladder switchbacks across the widest band of exposed rock, the Redwall Limestone. Usually an impenetrable rock face, Bright Angel trail was built in an ancient fault zone that creates a break in this sheer cliff. (Note the offset on the light-colored wide layer almost at the top of the Coconino Sandstone.)

Mule train passing below resthouse

Three-mile Resthouse sits at the top of the Redwall, a dividing line between forest and desert-scrub habitats.

From here the trail travels more gradually over crumbly layers of shale mixed with limestone and sandstone. And, of course more switchbacks, with waterbars that are logs across the trail to keep it from washing away. Sort of like unevenly spaced steps with a rise of 6-18 inches (15-45 cm).

Next stop, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, which also offers compost toilets and during summer potable water and sits below yet another steep cliff face of Coconino Sandstone. Both resthouses provide a sheltered place to drop the every growing heavier packs and have a snack. (Eating would seem to lighten the load but didn’t feel that way.)

Plus couldn’t stop for long or the body would start to chill.

Seeing the second tunnel gave hope that we were almost at the top. Well after many more switchbacks and waterbars that is.

By the time we got to First tunnel I was too tired to lift my feet let alone the camera.

But once at the top with no heavy pack on my back I turned to see where we had been. I felt triumph and awe filled with wonder. Plus hunger so strong I was very cranky when Mike said to pick up my pack to catch the bus to where our truck was parked. That was quickly resolved with dinner at the Arizona Room of Bright Angel Lodge where we sat in quiet reflection and watched sunset over the canyon.

Hiking Grand Canyon – Day 3 Up to Indian Garden

Again we didn’t rush to get on the 4.7 mile (7.4 k) trail for the day and headed for the Silver Bridge at a still chilly below freezing 10:30am.

The Silver Bridge was constructed in the late 1960s to support the transcanyon pipeline carrying water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim.

This day, the Rio de Colorado, Spanish for “River of Color,” showed some of its truer ruddy self.

Since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam sediments are mostly trapped behind the dam typically leaving the river a crystal blue/green.

Fishery biologist holds brown trout

In addition, some native fishes adapted to the pre-dam warmer, muddier water, are becoming extinct in the cold, clear water which now supports introduced species.

Mule deer bucks none to anxious to leave the River trail

The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the River Trail, which continues east to the South Kaibab trail and Black Bridge, between 1933 and 1936 to enable hikers and mule riders to reach Phantom Ranch from the Bright Angel Trail.

The 1.6 mile (2.4 km) River Trail climbs above and follows the river passing through a sand dune habitat with vertical walls of Vishnu Schist rising more than 1400 feet (427 m) above our heads.

Where Pipe Creek enters the Colorado River Bright Angel Trail begins it’s slow 3.1 mile (5 km) ascent to Indian Garden where we spent the night.

First following the meanders of Pipe Creek including several shallow crossings.

Next comes the switchbacks known as the Devils Corkscrew and the long traverse through the desert-like Vishnu Schist environment. Every time I hike this part it feels shorter.

This tops out into a narrows through the Tapeats Sandstone showing extensive erosion by Garden Creek.

Groundwater seeping through the rock layers above is stopped by the Bright Angel Shale layer on top of the sandstone and comes out in several springs which have been used by people over a 1000 years.

It’s such a delight to suddenly find myself back in the lush streamside habitat approaching Indian Garden, even with the snow dusted South Rim in sight.

It was an early dinner and quickly into the tent sort of night as we crawled into our sleeping bags to stay warm with a low of 13F and dream of the next day’s 4.6 miles (7.4 km) to top out on the South Rim.

MWT - Last day hike out of Grand Canyon - Part 8

Amy and Jan Indian Garden CampI left camp first, but it wasn’t long before they passed me...(read more)

Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Day 3 - Part 6

Amy on Silver BridgeWe said good bye to new made friends from the trail and began our ascent to Indian Garden camp...(read more)

The BIG Climb - Grand Canyon NP Rim to Rim hike

Today we’ll be climbing up the Bright Angel Trail 4.6 miles (7.4 km) from Indian Garden campground to the South Rim, 3060 feet (933 meters). The dark green patch way down in the bottom is Indian Garden. The switch back part of the trail is called Jacob’s Ladder. Wish us luck!

Hiking Grand Canyon - Day 4

North Rim & Plateau PointAfter I had a sleepless night at Indian Garden it was time to hike the remaining 4.6 miles (7.4 km) 3060 feet (933 m) up...

Hiking Grand Canyon - Day Three

Breakfast at the bunkhouse
After a decent night’s sleep on a real bed at the Phantom Ranch bunkhouse and a great breakfast we hit the trail about 10am...

Leisurely day at Grand Canyon

Home Sweet Home

It took me half of yesterday to get the 5^th-wheel set up and level, then waited for several hours for the phone guy. Never even peaked into the canyon.

Today I went up to the developed area at the end of the road.

Deluxe Cabins

Past the cabins. Must be getting new beds.

Grand Canyon Lodge 

To the east of the Lodge I took the Bright Angel Trail.

Old Utah Juniper along Bright Angel Trail

Western Bluebird

Only saw a few birds.

Brachiopod

Some cool fossils in the Kaibab limestone.

Bright Angel Trail

The park’s not open yet. So I’m alone on the trail and it’s quiet except for the little wind.

Deva, Brahma & Zoroaster Temples at the end of the trail

And of course the Grand Canyon. Hope you enjoyed the walk.

Sure is nice to be back. Tomorrow I report for training at 8am. That sure seems early after a winter of loafing. 

And what is up with blogger? It suddenly has a different mind of it's own. Or is it just me?