I haven't been to the Grand Canyon since 2008. I joined friends from the San Jacinto hiking club to hike R2R2R last Sunday and Monday. Carpooled with Marilyn Tomsha and Ivy. We made the mistake of buying gas in Needles -- $5.30 per gallon
OK, not stopping there on the way back. Checked in at the Yavapai lodge in the Grand Canyon village and grabbed the shuttle over to the South Rim to watch the sunset and have dinner in the Arizona Room at the Bright Angel lodge.
By combining the blue and orange shuttle routes, we were able to start down the South Kaibab trail about 5:45 AM. Met two really nice SoCal guys --John and David -- and keep leapfrogging with them for the remainder of the trip. This was Marilyn's first time hiking in the GC and Ivy's first time on South Kaibab. The contrasting colors and shapes and play of light and shadow is just breathtaking. We took a short break at Phantom Ranch, then Ivy and I continued on North Kaibab and Marilyn headed for the Bright Angel trail.
I love the area called "the box." The high walls of Bright Angel canyon are close to the creek and the trail snakes back and forth across the creek via wooden and metal bridges. Then, the canyon opens up and the trail traverses along the east side of the creek, gradually climbing to Cottonwood. Although it was sunny, it was cooler than I expected.
I arrived at Cottonwood around noon. Just as I was finishing lunch, Krai, David and Ivy rolled in. The four of us continued on up past Roaring Springs and started the rigorous climb up to the North Rim. At least we were finally in shade and occaisionally had a breeze. I think the hike from Roaring Springs to the North Rim is the prettiest section of North Kaibob trail, though it seems to take forever -- reminded me of looking at Coffman's Crag from the middle of the Never Ending Ridge.
We arrived at the North Rim a bit before 4 PM. Unfortunately, Krai and I couldn't get anyone to give us a ridge so we walked to the little store about a mile away from the North Rim Lodge. We got beer and food and were able to snag a ride to the lodge. Ivy and David walked the whole way -- our new trail friends John and David got a ride from the TH.
When Ivy and I checked in, we found that our room connected to our new trail friends' room -- talk about serendipity. I was in my birthday suit and getting ready to shower when I realized that we had no soap, shampoo or conditioner
Someone had removed the bottles from the holders on the wall 
I told Ivy, she told the guys and they passed their supplies through the connecting door (fortunately they'd already showered).
We enjoyed a great food and companionship at dinner -- thanks to Krai for making the reservations. Ivy and I hit the sack with our North Rim roomie Muku a bit after 9 PM. Although tired, I slept fitfully and woke up about every hour. We got up at 4:30 AM, packed up, and headed over to the Saloon to grab coffee and pastries (our room had a coffee machine but no cups). Took the second shuttle over to the TH and started down about 6 AM.
We took our time going back down to Cottonwood. Krai, David and other San Jacinto club members took the side trip to Ribbon falls. I was really starting to suffer from the lack of sleep and kept on going to Phantom Ranch. I arrived around 11:30 and wanted to take a good break before heading up Bright Angel. Ivy and Muku arrived, then Krai, David and Sharovi. Poor Muku was having gut issues
After an hour, I realized I needed to get going again. Krai headed out with me -- we were both dreading the hot climb ahead.
Krai pointed out a deer -- it had crossed the bridge over the Colorado and was grazing on the north side of the river. We had fun going over this masterpiece and were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in shade. This changed to direct sunlight when we started heading up and away from the Colorado. We were able to keep ourselves from overheating through frequent short drinking breaks. About a half hour from Indian garden, we dunked our heads and got our shirts wet. Took about a 15 minute break at Indian Garden. By the time we started up the final half of the climb, we were hiking in shade -- yea!
Krai kept me entertained as we made our way up to the 3 mile resthouse and then the 1.5 mile resthouse. The temperature dropped as we ascended, which really helped. It was wonderful to finally see the trail switchbacking up below the Kolb studio. At the last switchback, we heard our San Jacinto friends calling our names
Alan had brought us a few cold ones. I was starving and Marilyn kindly kept me company and bought me dinner at the Arizona room. Muku perserved in spite of being ill (the defination of True Grit) and ground her way up the trail, accompanied by Ivy, Sharovi and David.
Unlike the previous two nights, I slept soundly. Marilyn, Ivy, Alan, David, Krai and I enjoyed breakfast at the Bright Angel lodge before heading home. This time, we stopped in Kingman for gas and also found a In-and-out Burger
Thanks to Marilyn for driving and to my roomies and hiking buddies for their fabulous company and support. My favorite quote of the trip belongs to Ivy: "This was my FIRST and my LAST R2R2R!"
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
