The Grand Canyon

When we checked the weather report Friday, I was surprised and disappointed.  The forecast for Saturday was a 70% chance of rain all day and a 30% chance of snow that night.  Sunday was supposed to be sunny and 45 degrees.  We had plans of arriving at the Grand Canyon's South Rim Park on Friday night, hiking and camping on Saturday, and hiking more on Sunday.  We are from the rainiest part of the country but that doesn't mean that we like rain.  I did not want my first experience at one of the seven wonders of the world to be experienced through the haze of sleet.  So, we decided to sleep in a parking lot on Friday in north Scottsdale (where it was 60 degrees and clear skies) and take our time getting up to the GC on Saturday, stopping in ghost towns and stopping for lunch.  So, we did just that.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon at dusk.  It was snowing and SO COLD!  We walked out to the rim and could just barely make out the edges of cliffs and rocks.  We got back in the van and headed to the Mather Campground, the only site that's open this time of year.  To our surprise, there were about 3 other groups camping that night, so we didnt feel totally stupid.  The snow was coming down fast.  It was about 7pm.  It was too cold and wet to start a fire so we stayed in the van and watched Breaking Bad Season 1 on our laptops and went to bed around 9pm.

We got up early enough to see the sunrise.  We were blown away by the beauty.  We were also the only English speaking Caucasians there.  There were three bus loads of Japanese tourists at the look out point so we stood among them as the sun came up and sort-of chuckled at the predicament.  Again, it was very cold.  I am wearing 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts and a sweater.  Dan wore jeans, a sweatshirt, and a "drug rug" AKA a poncho.

Around 10am: after breakfast, getting lost, walking a mile down "Hermit Road" and never finding the "Hermit Trail" we descended down Bright Angel trail.  The path was icy.  Most of the hikers we passed were wearing crampons but we just had trail shoes.  I only fell once.  About halfway down, the snow was gone.  We had descended about 2,000 feet at this point.  We stopped at the 3-Mile Rest House to have lunch.  We met some blue birds that were so friendly and cute.

The climb back up was surprisingly easier.  It was harder to breathe but our legs were more stable on the climb up than they were on the descent down into the canyon.  We were making good time.  The preposed "4-6 hour hike" only ended up taking us 3:45:00 - with a lunch break, snack break, and two bathroom breaks.  Although I wish we had done more, gone further into the canyon, I am so proud of what we did and honored that we were even there at all.  Someday I want to make it down to the Colorado River but it just wasn't in the cards for mid-January 2012.

I really have no words for how beautiful this place is!  My high expectations were met - and exceeded - and I am so glad we got to see it!  We are already planning on bringing our family here someday in warmer weather to camp and hike for a week straight.  It's really THAT great.  If haven't been, plan your trip.  Seriously.