TripLeader
Explorer
I've had the good fortune to hike in the Grand Canyon several times. The first time was in November 2007. Here's a report on that trip.
2007
Part 1 [Introduction]
A good friend of mine had been backpacking in the place a couple of times before. We both worked overnight together. He would talk fondly of the "Big Ditch" and think of other routes to try. I was lucky enough to hang around him enough to get invited. A group of four was made. Two of us had never been. The other two had done some Arizona and Utah trips together.
We needed to make the most of our time, so we drove the 20 hour trip overnight. We arrived around noon, if I remember correctly after all these years. I was 12 years younger then, and a night-shifter, so my youth and excitement kept me fueled. I'm not so much keen on overnight drives these days.
But we got there--the south rim in the national park. We used the rest of the day to do the typical touristy stuff. We went to the rim, looked at Kolb Studio, the Maswik Lodge, and so on.
Among my first views of the Grand Canyon.
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A mule train headed down.
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We found dinner and went to our "economy" motel room on the rim. I'm not sure if Xanterra is still the official park concessionaire, but they were at the time. Ah, such found memories of finding the dead mouse behind the mini-fridge. Or was that the next year? But, it did not hamper our enjoyment of the trip. A bed at the top was nice after being up for over 24 hours. Tomorrow would be the big day.
2007
Part 1 [Introduction]
A good friend of mine had been backpacking in the place a couple of times before. We both worked overnight together. He would talk fondly of the "Big Ditch" and think of other routes to try. I was lucky enough to hang around him enough to get invited. A group of four was made. Two of us had never been. The other two had done some Arizona and Utah trips together.
We needed to make the most of our time, so we drove the 20 hour trip overnight. We arrived around noon, if I remember correctly after all these years. I was 12 years younger then, and a night-shifter, so my youth and excitement kept me fueled. I'm not so much keen on overnight drives these days.
But we got there--the south rim in the national park. We used the rest of the day to do the typical touristy stuff. We went to the rim, looked at Kolb Studio, the Maswik Lodge, and so on.
Among my first views of the Grand Canyon.
-----
-----
-----
-----
-----
A mule train headed down.
-----
-----
-----
We found dinner and went to our "economy" motel room on the rim. I'm not sure if Xanterra is still the official park concessionaire, but they were at the time. Ah, such found memories of finding the dead mouse behind the mini-fridge. Or was that the next year? But, it did not hamper our enjoyment of the trip. A bed at the top was nice after being up for over 24 hours. Tomorrow would be the big day.