June 22 - Grand Canyon - Bright Angel Trail

The Grand Canyon. Truly a place you have to see to believe! We woke up at 5 a.m., grabbed Pop-tarts and headed out towards the Bright Angel Trail - voted one of America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the Sept. 2008 issue of Backpacker Magazine. It was cool, so we are thinking that we are really smart. We hiked down to the first water stop - 1 1/2 miles. We still feel good, so let's keep going. We make it to the second water stop - 3 miles down. (This is where the point sticks out in the picture.) We take some pictures - see how far we've come and yet we are not even close to the plateau or river! We decide to go back. Some of the mule trains pass by - leaving 'markings' or 'dust suppression spots' to guide our way back up. We love the squirrels, chipmunks, and lizards. Marjory and Jacob named them on the way down, so they are trying to remember the names on the way back. It is much easier going down than going up!!!!!!! We make it back up to the first water stop feeling success and adventure. By the time, we make it up to the top, we are dusty, hot, tired, and hungry, but we did it!!! The temperature has risen significantly - 100 degrees. The views are beautiful. We return to the campground and veg for a while and see a huge mule deer right next to our campsite. Then return to the edge for sunset photos of the canyon. It is breathtaking to realize how big it truly is.