After a cooked breakfast at the campsite and a rather cold night, we headed to our first hiking trail of the day. On the way were a bunch of Elk having a munch on the side of the road by the entrance to the campsite, pretty neat how you could walk right by them and they didn’t care.
We opted for North Kaibab trail which promised good views inside the Canyon.
So this is what the locals keep warming us about! Elk crossing
It started with steep switchbacks in the side of the cliff, and then levelled our along the side a cliff face. It was surprisingly still really busy even down in the canyon! The trail was really well maintained, mules are still used on these trails for getting supplies down into the canyon and various other jobs.
The switchbacks on Kaibab trail
We didn’t go much farther than 3kms, for fear of the way up being unpleasant… We were quick though and it wasn’t bad at all.
We then drove back to the village and took the bus to Hermits Rest, a no traffic area, then hiked along the canyon rim for the rest of the day. This was the least crowded part of the whole area by far! Most people got in and out of the buses at the viewpoints and didn’t hike in between. We enjoyed long stretches of trail to ourselves, with some basic rocky trail at times running right along the cliff of the canyon rim.
One of the many stunning views from the south rim
We saw sections of the Colorado river poking out, all in all the scenery was stunning and I’m glad we saw more then just the section from yesterday near the visitor centre. Lots of outcropping rocks made for good photo ops. We hiked a little over 10miles at the end along that route.
South Kaibab trial heading into the Canyon
After that it was back to the very well stocked general store to pick up a few extras for dinner, then back to camp to cook/shower.
We also joined the ranger’s evening astrology presentation from visitor centre. Again very crowded but a funny guide and a nice hour hearing stories about the stars.
Then we had to get back to camp to thaw Tanguy out, funny I thought it would be me who would struggle more with that!
–Zoe
Such beautiful pictures !! The one above looks like it has been pictured from an helicopter. Real cool
Tanguy ? Koude voetjes ?
One day at the grand canyon, not too short, or simply not more time in your very packed schedule?
On Sunday we helped Marcello Primo get re-elected as Prince in Seborga.
Sure hundreds of photos still await posting or organizing!
Baci mille