Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015

1 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Weather situation - Rim high/low: 69F/46F (21C/7C); Phantom Ranch: 89F/66F (32C/19C)	2 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trail info	3 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Ready to Roll at 7:10am! Elevation: 7,260 ft. Forgot my hiking poles; not a good sign. Wearing two layers at this point.	4 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 What a beautiful day!
5 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Great view of the very aggressive descent	6 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Great view of the very aggressive descent	7 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Another fantastic view showing the trail at multiple levels	8 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Spectacular view; note the trail in the foreground
9 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Spectacular view; note the trail in the foreground	10 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Ominous warning sign	11 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 A relatively flat section	12 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Another breathtaking view
13 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Tree clinging on for life	14 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	15 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	16 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Ooh Ahh Point
17 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 simply, Wow	18 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trail can be seen in the far distance, zig-zagging down the slope, left of center	19 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trail visible on the left	20 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
21 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 One of the steeper bits	22 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	23 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Indication of the trail location on previous picture	24 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Great shot of trail following the spine of the outcrop
25 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Spot the hikers lower down on the trail	26 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	27 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trail close-up	28 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Cedar Ridge rest area visible below
29 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Cedar Ridge rest area; trail continues upper center-right	30 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Cedar Ridge. Elevation 6,120 ft (1,140 ft below rim; 1.5 miles from rim)	31 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	32 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
33 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Leaving Cedar Ridge	34 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	35 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	36 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Steep section, looking back up
37 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	38 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	39 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back ...	40 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
41 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	42 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	43 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	44 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
45 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back ...	46 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Easy section; time to take in the view	47 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	48 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
49 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	50 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Possible view of Bright Angel trail - below left of center (trees)	51 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	52 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
53 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	54 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Skeleton Point. Elevation 5,220 ft. (2,040 ft below rim; 3 miles from rim; 2,740 ft above Phantom Ranch; 4.4 miles to Phantom Ranch ... so not yet half way there	55 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	56 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
57 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	58 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 At least 10 switchbacks visible	59 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Close-up of switchbacks	60 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Close-up of switchbacks
61 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Close-up of switchbacks	62 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trail visible in the shadow; could be Bright Angel, Tonto, or S. Kaibab	63 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back ...	64 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back ...
65 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 A rare flat section	66 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 More fantastic switch-backs ahead	67 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Post shows 4,700 ft - 2,560 below rim; 2,220 above Phantom Ranch. 3.5 miles from rim; 3.8 miles to Phantom Ranch - basically half way	68 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
69 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	70 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back - lots of people on the trail	71 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	72 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
73 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	74 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	75 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	76 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
77 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	78 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Tip-Off Point rest area in the distance	79 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	80 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
81 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Rare shaded spot for a snack break	82 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Tip-off point - emergency rescue helicopter rescuing runner with twisted ankle. Mule train on the left	83 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Tip-off point	84 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Mule train leaving tip-off point
85 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Mule train	86 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Tip-off point. Elevation 4,000 ft (3,200 ft from rim, 1,520 ft to Phantom Ranch; 4.4 miles from rim, 3 miles to Phantom Ranch)	87 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Emergency phone; no cell phone reception down here!	88 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 People visible on trail
89 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	90 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 First sight of river, about 1,500 ft below	91 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	92 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
93 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	94 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	95 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	96 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
97 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 People visible on trail	98 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Beginning of the final descent to the river	99 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 First view of the bridge, and the extensive switch-backs to the river	100 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Spectacular view of the switchbacks going down to the river
101 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Another great view of the switchbacks	102 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	103 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	104 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Second suspension bridge visible on the river, and the trail to Bright Angel campground and Phantom Ranch (north side of river, upper-left quadrant)
105 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	106 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 "Freight" mule train approaching bridge, carrying supplies, waste, etc from Phantom Ranch	107 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Mule train emerging from the tunnel. Mule at the rear is 'training' - no load on this run	108 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 'Freight' mule train. All hikers must stop and move aside while mules pass
109 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Entering the (totally dark) tunnel to the bridge	110 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 At the river - Elevation 2,480 ft (4,780 ft below S. Kaibab trailhead, 4,370 ft below Bright Angel trailhead)	111 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 River from the bridge, looking west	112 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 River from the bridge, looking east
113 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Suspension bridge, from the north end	114 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Hiking along the north side of the river, towards Bright Angel campground and Phantom Ranch	115 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Black Bridge information sign	116 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Black Bridge information sign (detail)
117 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Bright Angel campground	118 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Phantom Ranch - Elevation 2,480 ft. 7.4 miles from S. Kaibab trailhead (7,260 ft), 9.9 miles to Bright Angel trailhead (6,850 ft).	119 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Phantom Ranch, private cabins	120 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Phantom Ranch - main dining room
121 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Current water situation. As you can see, the situation changes and you can't assume water is available on the trails (major upgrade of water system is in progress)	122 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Interesting menu (considering that everything you see is brought in on mules). Only registered overnight guests can order 'meals'; beverages and snacks are available to everyone. Note today's high temperature is 89F at Phantom Ranch, 71F at South Rim. You can also mail postcards!	123 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Phantom Ranch cabin	124 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Leaving Phantom Ranch/Bright Angel Campground area - 9.9 miles, 4,370 ft of elevation to Bright Angel trailhead (just over 5 hours to go)
125 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Silver Bridge information sign	126 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Silver Bridge	127 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Silver Bridge	128 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back (east) at the Silver Bridge and the Black Bridge
129 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Starting on the Bright Angel trail, along the river	130 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Yet another mule train!	131 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 River resthouse - 8 miles and 4,370 ft of elevation to go!	132 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Stream crossing trail; useful for soaking shirt, hat, bandana in water to cool down during the hardest, hottest part of the hike
133 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Trying to keep cool	134 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Rim Runners - people running rim to rim with minimal gear	135 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	136 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 The Devil's Corkscrew - the hottest, hardest part of the hike
137 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Approaching Indian Garden	138 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Approaching Indian Garden	139 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Approaching Indian Garden	140 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Approaching Indian Garden
141 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Indian Garden. 3,800 ft Elevation (1,300 ft above the river; 3,050 ft below Bright Angel trailhead; 3.2 miles from Phantom Ranch; 4.8 miles to Bright Angel)	142 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Leaving Indian Garden	143 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back, lovely shaded canyon	144 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Steep canyon walls ahead as you start to climb to 3-mile rest area
145 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back from 3-mile resthouse, multiple switchbacks	146 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Leaving 3-mile resthouse - decided I didn't need to rest here. Elevation 4,748 ft. (2,268 ft above the river, 2,102 below the Bright Angel trailhead - about half-way, elevation-wise - but only 3 miles from the rim, and 6.9 miles from Phantom Ranch)	147 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Looking back at 3-mile resthouse, and Indian Garden below (cluster of green near the edge of the valley below)	148 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
149 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Hikers visible on multiple switchbacks ahead	150 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 30 minutes past the 3-mile resthouse, resthouse visible below, and the tortured trail	151 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 1.5 mile resthouse (actual resthouse is up behind the restrooms). Cell phone reception available here. Start to see a number of casual day-hikers, trail gets busier. Elevation 5,729 ft (3,249 ft above the river, 1,121 ft below the Bright Angel trailhead; only 1.5 miles to go, and 8.4 miles from Phantom Ranch).	152 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Leaving 1.5 mile resthouse. The next 1.5 mile segment to the rim is the steepest section of the Bright Angel trail - 1,121 ft of elevation in 1.5 miles. But the temperature is lower and the trail is mostly in shade. Almost there!
153 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Afternoon shadows creeping in, creating welcome shade.	154 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Final ascent - hikers can be seen winding their way up the sloped section center-left	155 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 So near, but yet, so far! How do you get up there?!	156 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
157 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Civilization! Building visible left of center, and the final tunnel on the trail to the right	158 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	159 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015	160 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015
161 Grand Canyon, Oct 10, 2015 Back at the top! Bright Angel trailhead. Elevation 6,850 ft. 4,370 ft above the river; 7.8 miles from the river; 9.6 miles from Phantom Ranch