Phoenix seemed boundless from our vantage point in a Tempe RV park, but we were there only long enough to pick up our daughter(flown in on her semester break) and head to the Grand Canyon to see what all the fuss is about!
We took the train to pick up our Ivy from PHX, then as soon as we were back to the park, we loaded up and drove the four hours into a nearly deserted Mather Campground. Here’s Denver showing his love to Ivy after not having seen her in five months. Believe it or not, it’s a game!
With the sun already failing us, we detached as soon as we could wedge ourselves into a snowy site and made for the South Rim trail. It’s paved, and the lookouts are easily accessed from the visitor’s center. Pictured is Bright Angel Canyon, a trekker’s dream with the terminus of the Kaibab Trail some 21 miles in.
The Rim was draped with camera toting nerds and wannabe influencers when I made it back for the sunset snapping. The shot was followed shortly thereafter with dinner: Sean’s Famous Cast Iron Skillet Prime New York Strip. Smoked up the trailer mightily!
The next morning, we set off bright and early (well,as early as you can get after feasting on Sean’s Famous Garlic Cheese Grits with Red-Eye Gravy) for our trek down into the canyon via the South Kaibab Trail. The goal was Skeleton Point: 3.5 miles in and a good 2500′ elevation change. The ice on the switchbacks was a bit daunting, but gave me a great chance to hold daughter’s hand!
Here’s the view from Ooh-Aah Point, about 1000′ down. Featured is the bluff that must be rounded to get to Skeleton Point, another 1500′ below. Far, far below that, the river.
With the easy part done, we stopped for an MRE lunch of petrified ham and composition shingle (with cheese sauce, of course). We could hear the roar of the mighty Colorado even here, 4000′ above the banks.
I tried walking up backwards, but it didn’t really help.. That’s Ooh-Aah Point, just to the right of the reef. Calf muscles, engage!
The icy trail up involved our full attention and much mouth breathing. Here’s the femmes looking delightfully poised as they smile through the pain.
Look! I made a snow angel (like, 19 years ago)!
Shot from the rim shortly after reaching it. A full day’s hiking is best rewarded with a stuffed belly. To that end, I made my Sean’s Famous Rebeccurgers! 1/3 lb patty, cheddar cheese, tomato, bacon, beets, roasted pineapple, and a fried egg on an onion bun! So mighty you have to use three hands to eat it!
Got in a parting shot from the rim. That’s snow flurries falling on the far end of Bright Angel Canyon. With that, we shut the doors on another fantastic National Park outing!
