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| From Grand Canyon 2011 |
Feb18
I got up early, early to drive up to the South Rim. I didn't leave until I called to be sure that I would be allowed to hike with he winter storm on it's way in. I was told no problem.
Last time I parked at the backcountry office and took the bikers express shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead. This time I was arriving too late for that. Besides the hiker shuttle let off like 40 people who start hiking all at once. Where is the solitude in that.?Not that hiking the Grand Canyon is a solitary endeavor. However. I prefer not to be on the hiking highway.
Anyway the regular shuttle is supposed to come ever 15 minutes. It was a cold wait and a very long 15 minutes in which I contemplated the amount of clothing I was wearing. It turns out that this was the most clothing that I would wear all trip.
There were two men and their sons aged about 12 waiting for the shuttle as well. They were equipped (or so they thought) to camp at the bottom. Once the van picked us up they started discussing their equipment and they realized that they had left behind their tent poles. Lucky they realized at the top but they had to get off the shuttle and catch another one back to their car to get the poles.
I continued on and transferred shuttles at the visitor center and eventually made it to the south kaibob trailhead.
The sun seemed to be burning off the clouds. There was some snow and ice present but not enough for Yaktrax. I just picked my way around it.
As I descended it warmed and I stripped layers. I almost wished for shorts at one point. The sun was just right. It wasn"t too bright washing out the amazing colors of the rocks and it wasn't dark behind clouds.
I made it to Phantom Ranch in a little over four hours including many photo stops, restroom stops and lunch. The only unfortunate thing was my knee it started hurting towards the end. I feel like the tin man.
After I checked in I ran into a bunch of photogenic deer who begged me to take their photos and I obliged. Then I ambled down by the river to take more photos down there.
Dinner is at 6:30. It is served family style. I have ordered veggie chili. I think there is chocolate cake for desert. I will also (at an extra cost) a beer to round out he day.
The sky is blue now at the end of the day. Maybe the rain and snow that are supposed to start tonight at 11 are delayed. Otherwise I expect a wet hike out in the AM. I have lovely purple and as yet untested purple rain pants. Their biggest problem is the foot openings. They can be put on over boots so I think that I will have to start the day wearing them. The question is should I wear them over my regular pants. I will have to ponder this tonight.
The veggie chili was amazing. It was made with garbanzo beans and black beans. The tecate that I had with it went down a treat.
Feb 19
I left at 6am wearing the purple rain pants over my hiking pants. It was still dark but I was trying to beat the storm to the top. It started raining before I even got to the Colorado River. I was over dressed in my multiple layers and rain pants. I had to strip down a number of times before Indian Gardens. Finally I was wearing a short sleeve shirt, hiking pants, gaiters and my rain jacket and I was very comfortable. Although it was raining, it was a light, intermittent rain and was really no problem. I also still had some nice views. I made it to Indian Gardens at 8:30 and had a long break. From there it was up up up.
The first stop above Indian Gardens was 3 mile house. The trail became very sloppy with a river of water and several lakes instead of steps. At 1.5 mile rest stop it began pouring and there was ice on the trail. I put on my Yaktrax and had little problem. At some point above 1.5 mile rest stop there was an stone arch over the trail. On one side of the arch it was raining and on the other side is was snowing. It was very odd. The snow increased as I approached the top. I realized that the roads would be getting bad very soon. I struggled to get out of my shoes, Yaktrax and gaiters but my hands were frozen. I finally got my footwear off and used my rather new ice scraper to clean the very snowy windshield and headed out.
The roads were getting tricky fast. The subaru (now named Faith) did a wonderful job. I saw cars very out of control. One did a 180 right in front of me. I made it to Williams and decided to hop the freeway before it closed. Almost as soon as I got on I saw a car in the median. A little farther on there was some kind of accident on the east bound side. Traffic was backed up for miles. I only had to go about 20 miles and the snow lessened and driving became much easier. I made it home in the late afternoon. I have to say that hiking for 5.5 hours immediately followed by 4 hours of driving does not a comfortable body make but I am home safe and sound and happy.
