Grand Canyon Hike: 2006

Hello again! I realize it has been months since I've even looked at this blog so I thought it was time for an update. I have a few photos to post from my trip to the Grand Canyon back in the summer.




Here are Randal, Zach, and Dad heading to the South Rim. Notice how well they wait for me?




Randal sitting on a rocky point — probably contemplating the beauty of it all (and how far we have yet to go!).




Ansel Adams getting ready to take a photo.




Heading down some steep switch-backs.




Dad coming down the South Kaibab trail.




Yeah, but it's a dry heat!




Zach and Randal taking a break at Skeleton Point.




More wicked switch-backs. Note my shadow at the bottom of the image...




You can see the trail heading out to Plateau Point (a spur off of Bright Angel Trail) about a third of the way down the image.




Here we are taking a break in one of the few shady spots on South Kaibab.




The massive rock formations and deposits are so much more impressive in person. I wish my photographs would do them justice. Zach looks impressed, doesn't he?




Our first really good view of the Colorado River and the campground (that patch of trees just above the river). Even though it's a long way off yet, it motivates to know the end is in sight.




Dad and Zach cross the bridge to the north side of the river.




Looking back up.




The view from Black Bridge, looking down-river toward Bright Angel Campground.




Zach and a deer face-off. It's amazing how close we could get to some of the wildlife. I guess they're used to hikers and don't get too worried about us.




Our wonderful, air conditioned accommodations at Phantom Ranch. Dad is checking over equipment and getting ready to head out. We don't want any wardrobe malfunctions on the trail!




Refilling water bladders before heading out in the morning. You can never have too much water. From here it's a leisurely 9.8 miles on the trail and 4,460 feet straight up to the rim!




A couple of the wild turkeys roaming around the campground. They liked to spend time on the roof of the dining hall. Which ones are the real turkeys? Yeah, yeah. . . I get it. Very funny.




Heading out on Silver Bridge.




Dad making a photograph back across the bridge.




Shooting back toward the campground.




We followed River Trial quite a ways until we actually headed up toward the rim on Bright Angel.




We really liked the criss-crossing streams on the hike up. They provided much-needed cooling!




I never got tired of the views, no matter how tired I was of hiking and climbing. We were getting close to the half-way point here.




Indian Garden. We stopped for lunch and a little down time. 4.6 miles and 3,060 feet below the rim.




Almost at the top! I was getting too tired by this point to make many images. I think Zach and I had stopped to catch our breath and take a drink — this view of Indian Garden and the trail out to Plateau Point was a no-brainer. The skies were amazing but I was really wishing for some clouds to shield us from the brutal sun.




A ram, just off the trail. There were a couple others in the area but this is the only one I was able to capture.




And here we are, the morning after. I think I can speak for everyone in saying that we were sore and tired but also energized by the experience. After mountain climbing in '05 and hiking the Canyon in '06, I'm ready for something relaxing in '07!