05/25/2023
Day 2 of my Grand Adventure started at Bright Angel Campground. I hiked down S. Kaibab Trail late the day before. Made camp in the dark and after an amazing nights rest, it’s time to head back out of the canyon.
I really didn’t want to leave. I wanted to spend another day taking in the roaring sounds of the River, the tall walls of the canyon and just soak it all up for one more day. But my permit was just for one night, so out I go!
I emerged from my tent around 7:00 and the campground was nearly deserted. Most get back on Trail at daybreak and I was taking my sweet time. I had all day to make this trek. Little did I know I actually needed all day…
I filtered 4 Litres of water from the river, made breakfast, broke camp and was on trail by 8:30. A leisurely start to the day.
I knew the first few miles were relatively flat as I meandered alongside the Colorado River. It was beautiful. I just live the sound of the rushing water. And its enormous size is hard to explain.
After about 2.75 miles, it was time to climb. Let the stairs begin! I climbed stairs, and stairs and stairs being sure to turn around once in a while not only to see how far I’d gone, but to take in the ever expanding view of the canyon. The higher I went, the better the views were.
Carrying 50 pounds of gear definitely adds another element to this challenge, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. Stopping for pictures (breaks) every now and then.
The day before I had near solitude on S. Kaibab. Complete opposite today. I was hiking with 50 of my closest unknown friends. We leap frogged back and forth as others took breaks, I would pass, while I rested, they would pass. Always being sure to wish them all the best for the remaining ahead.
I stopped at the 3rd or 4th water crossing and filtered another Litre of water. With temps nearing 100°, I was mindful of continuing to drink plenty of water and eat my salty snacks. I also filtered a few Litres for a pair of hikers I had been seeing repeatedly, they were already getting low and we had a long way to go.
At Indian Garden, the half way point, the temps were 90° in the shade. I didn’t stop for more than a minute or so, wanted to keep plugging along. Slow and steady wins the race!
By about mile 7, or the 3 mile resthouse, my pace was really slowing down. I was taking more breaks and wishing I was done already.
Had some fist bumps and high fives from other hikers seeing me make my way up this trail with a heavy pack. Guess they were impressed by it.
With about 2 miles to go, you could see long shadows, which provided some shade, but the temps were also dropping. And then I heard thunder in the distance.
Before long, it started to rain. Then is started to hail! And now it’s 52° and I have a full mile left to go in a full downpour.
Freezing and wet I was actually moving faster than I had been. Being cold makes you move!
And before I knew it, I was walking up the flooded trail to the top!
I did it!! 10.7 miles. 8 hours. 4,340 elevation gain.
Wow. I was exhausted. Fellow hikers taking shelter from the rain were saying hi and “yay, you made it!”
All I wanted was my car. Grabbed a quick picture and off I went to get my frozen body out of the weather.
Guess a second night would not have been a great idea. My camp would have been flooded. Things worked out the way they were meant to be.
Now to get some food, warm clothes and a shower! What an amazing experience I had.
