Bright Angel

Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon -- my birthday hike below the rim, as planned. (Okay, it was the 31st.) The weather had turned hotter, so Joe and I began going down the trail at 4:30 in the afternoon, after the sun was lower in the sky and a good portion of the trail was in the shade.



The trail follows a fault line that cuts across the canyon. You can pick out the trail in the picture on the right. You can also see how the farther-away side of the canyon is higher than the closer side on the left. This is due to the difference in elevation on either side of the fault line.



We did not go down too far on the trail since we did not want to get caught still out after it turned dark. I think we went about two and a quarter miles down. The trail cuts through this steep escarpment, solid red stone walls. It is impossible for the camera to capture the sheer immensity of these rock walls. Evening is a good time for a short hike in the canyon. The shadows get long and create a lot of depth in the canyon. Very few people take advantage of the cooler temperatures, and so we pretty much had the trail to ourselves. We have been visiting and hiking the canyon for several years now. I learned to hike in the canyon. Most people find it a challenge to hike DOWN first and then go back UP. For me this is the natural way to do it. We have learned by hard experience how to avoid heat cramps and heat exhaustion and dehydration. These can ruin a hike - and a vacation - in no time at all.

Of course, this year I had to do something I haven't done before.



Here I am taking a break before we head back up the trail. This is the beginning of the Trekking Socks. Joe agreed to take the picture since no one else was around to see. I don't suppose many socks get knit while in the canyon. It was also about the only project that would fit in my small pack. You can see the trail below me on the right. The green area down in the middle of the canyon is Indian Gardens, a favorite stopping place of ours. We did not get there this time since the weather turned extremely hot (over 100 degrees in the canyon) and I had some foot problems. (The brace on my knee helps with chronic tendonitis and possibly some arthritis.)

Despite the heat we did get in some nice hikes. Wish it had stayed cooler, though.

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. I've got a zillion bloglines to catch up on as well as laundry and repacking for our trip out East on Wednesday. When I get the chance, I'll post about the yarn I bought in Flagstaff and the lovely "surprise" box that was waiting when I got back home earlier today.