Hike into the Grand Canyon

RandyWayne · #1 10-12-2009, 12:53 PM

Well, we finally did it and lived to tell the tail. This past Friday, starting out at 6 am we hiked down the Bright Angel trail into the Grand Canyon. We made it to the official midway point of Indian Gardens which is half way between the trail head and Phantom Ranch some time between 10 and 10:30. We didn't go down to the river but we're directly above it at Plateau Point another mile and a half from Indian Gardens.

About 10-15 minutes into our hike. The sun is still rising.

Still dark

We weren't in a spot to see the sun crest but could see its effects on everything else

RandyWayne · #2 10-12-2009, 12:57 PM

The 2nd of two rest stops along the way.

A view of were we're going.

A view of were we came from. Note: The very top.

*AQuietPlace* · #3 10-12-2009, 12:57 PM

Beautiful! I love to hike! I'd like to hike that some day.

RandyWayne · #4 10-12-2009, 12:59 PM

They tell you not to feed the wildlife.

Because of this!

At one point, we stepped off of the trail at Indian Gardens to make room for a mule train. Literally 7-8 feet behind me, we saw this guy just standing there. He did not run.

RandyWayne · #5 10-12-2009, 01:00 PM

The moon is just peaking out.

A rest stop for some people on their way to Phantom Ranch

RandyWayne · #6 10-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Plateau Point. Another 1400 feet straight down just two feet beyond Gails feet. It made my head spin getting anywhere near that edge.

A California Condor swooping over our heads

Digging4Truth · #7 10-12-2009, 01:13 PM

Wow... those are some amazing pictures.

Thanks for sharing them with us. And keep them coming.

RandyWayne · #8 10-12-2009, 01:40 PM

Only a few minutes into the hike. Me, taking a pic.

About 2/3rds of the way down.

On our way to Plateau Point. You can still see our starting point WAY behind us -and a few thousand feet higher.

MawMaw · #9 10-12-2009, 02:14 PM

Absolutely breathtaking photos! Are you a professional photographer by any chance? Thanks for sharing!

RandyWayne · #10 10-12-2009, 02:19 PM

Not a professional by any means, but am practicing -a lot.

The last four pictures I posted were from Gail's camera. Obviously, I am in most of pics on hers and she is in most of the pics on mine.