Grand Canyon R2R2R
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:37 pmHowdy All 
I carpooled with Marilyn and David Deeter last Friday. We left Riverside fairly early and arrived at 3 PM. This gave us time to walk around a bit, enjoy the canyon views in daylight and get an early dinner at the Arizona café.
We picked up other members of our group on the shuttle stops on the way to the south Kaibob trailhead. It was fun to start in the dark and see numerous headlamps switch backing below. The sky started to lighten and we were treated to exquisite views.
Near Skeleton Point, I took the "obligatory" shadow photo
before continuing to descend. If only my legs were as long 
We were passed by several mule trains before beginning the final descent to the Colorado river.
Four of us (Marilyn, David, Valentina and I) reached Phantom Ranch in three hours and took a short break before hiking into the Box -- one of my favorite sections of the R2R2R hike. The trail crosses back and forth over the Bright Angel creek under the high walls of the Box canyon. We were treated to welcome shade and the lovely sound of Bright Angel creek. I've never been able to capture the beauty of the Box in pictures.
Upon leaving the box, the canyon widened and we were baked by the morning sun. The temperature was in the high 80's. We took a welcome lunch/water stop at Cottonwood. We resumed hiking at 12:30, knowing that we were now in "sun's anvil." When the trail became steeper below Roaring Springs, my head felt like it was going to pop off my torso and my hip flexors cramped up. The heat and lack of shade were causing Marilyn to suffer as well. Fortunately, we started to hike in shade again. The North Kaibab also cooperated by providing stunning views.
I knew we were getting close when we started switch backing up through pines and deciduous trees. Several folks walked by me going down hill and said "Only five more minutes!" After what seemed like an eternity, I popped out at the North Rim trailhead, greeted by a group of clapping and cheering strangers.
I hadn't experienced anything like that since my last Pike's Peak Ascent
I wanted to hitch a ride to the North Rim lodge but David wanted to walk the additional two miles. When I reached the North Rim lodge, I went straight to the Saloon (bar) and ordered a Lumberyard IPA Marilyn joined me at the bar (she was smart and got a ride), followed shortly by David and Valentina (they'd checked in first). David and I got chewed out by a female bar fly for encouraging Marilyn to hike back the next day rather than take the shuttle 
We ate dinner at the North Rim lodge with our friend Krai and "Krai's Angels" -- he had trained with three R2R first timers. Readied our packs for the return trip before going to bed. The following morning, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we could buy breakfast burritos and other breakfast items at the Saloon. The four of us and other folks took the first shuttle back to the North Rim trailhead and we started hiking down at 5:45 AM.
A bit after passing Roaring Springs, we got our first view of the South Rim.
To our very pleasant surprise, it felt cooler than the day before and we made good time to Cottonwood and the Box. We reached Phantom Ranch at 11 AM and took an hour fuel/water break. Finally saddled up, crossed the Colorado a second time and did the obnoxious traverse through sand along the river.
We were happy to finally turn away from the Colorado and start up to Indian Garden. We climbed. And climbed. My hair grew longer. The wind blew, kicking dust into our eyes. When we reached a riparian area with trees I said, "We're getting close." Not. At least ten minutes went by
Marilyn said she saw a sign. Encouraged, I asked her what it said. She responded dryly, "We're gonna die." Actually, it was a warning sign to remind hikers going down to carry adequate water.
Two hours after leaving Phantom Ranch, we reached Indian Garden and took a badly needed break. Seriously, it felt like someone used the trail stretcher to move Indian Gardens 15 to 20 minutes further up the trail. Must be that joker who moves the picnic tables up Skyline.
Refueled and revived, we resumed our climb. After a short dry and dusty stretch, we were once again climbing in the shade. The cool weather was invigorating -- the views were breath-taking.
Valentina passing through a tunnel near the South Rim.
At last!
This was Marilyn's and Valentina's first R2R2R, David's second and my fourth. We celebrated in the Bright Angel bar and enjoyed another awesome dinner at the Arizona café. After a substantial breakfast in the Bright Angel café, we sadly bid farewell to the Grand Canyon -- until the next time
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
I carpooled with Marilyn and David Deeter last Friday. We left Riverside fairly early and arrived at 3 PM. This gave us time to walk around a bit, enjoy the canyon views in daylight and get an early dinner at the Arizona café.
We picked up other members of our group on the shuttle stops on the way to the south Kaibob trailhead. It was fun to start in the dark and see numerous headlamps switch backing below. The sky started to lighten and we were treated to exquisite views.
Near Skeleton Point, I took the "obligatory" shadow photo
before continuing to descend. If only my legs were as long We were passed by several mule trains before beginning the final descent to the Colorado river.
Four of us (Marilyn, David, Valentina and I) reached Phantom Ranch in three hours and took a short break before hiking into the Box -- one of my favorite sections of the R2R2R hike. The trail crosses back and forth over the Bright Angel creek under the high walls of the Box canyon. We were treated to welcome shade and the lovely sound of Bright Angel creek. I've never been able to capture the beauty of the Box in pictures.
Upon leaving the box, the canyon widened and we were baked by the morning sun. The temperature was in the high 80's. We took a welcome lunch/water stop at Cottonwood. We resumed hiking at 12:30, knowing that we were now in "sun's anvil." When the trail became steeper below Roaring Springs, my head felt like it was going to pop off my torso and my hip flexors cramped up. The heat and lack of shade were causing Marilyn to suffer as well. Fortunately, we started to hike in shade again. The North Kaibab also cooperated by providing stunning views.
I knew we were getting close when we started switch backing up through pines and deciduous trees. Several folks walked by me going down hill and said "Only five more minutes!" After what seemed like an eternity, I popped out at the North Rim trailhead, greeted by a group of clapping and cheering strangers.
I hadn't experienced anything like that since my last Pike's Peak Ascent I wanted to hitch a ride to the North Rim lodge but David wanted to walk the additional two miles. When I reached the North Rim lodge, I went straight to the Saloon (bar) and ordered a Lumberyard IPA
Marilyn joined me at the bar (she was smart and got a ride), followed shortly by David and Valentina (they'd checked in first). David and I got chewed out by a female bar fly for encouraging Marilyn to hike back the next day rather than take the shuttle We ate dinner at the North Rim lodge with our friend Krai and "Krai's Angels" -- he had trained with three R2R first timers. Readied our packs for the return trip before going to bed. The following morning, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we could buy breakfast burritos and other breakfast items at the Saloon. The four of us and other folks took the first shuttle back to the North Rim trailhead and we started hiking down at 5:45 AM.
A bit after passing Roaring Springs, we got our first view of the South Rim.
To our very pleasant surprise, it felt cooler than the day before and we made good time to Cottonwood and the Box. We reached Phantom Ranch at 11 AM and took an hour fuel/water break. Finally saddled up, crossed the Colorado a second time and did the obnoxious traverse through sand along the river.
We were happy to finally turn away from the Colorado and start up to Indian Garden. We climbed. And climbed. My hair grew longer. The wind blew, kicking dust into our eyes. When we reached a riparian area with trees I said, "We're getting close." Not. At least ten minutes went by
Marilyn said she saw a sign. Encouraged, I asked her what it said. She responded dryly, "We're gonna die." Actually, it was a warning sign to remind hikers going down to carry adequate water. Two hours after leaving Phantom Ranch, we reached Indian Garden and took a badly needed break. Seriously, it felt like someone used the trail stretcher to move Indian Gardens 15 to 20 minutes further up the trail. Must be that joker who moves the picnic tables up Skyline.
Refueled and revived, we resumed our climb. After a short dry and dusty stretch, we were once again climbing in the shade. The cool weather was invigorating -- the views were breath-taking.
Valentina passing through a tunnel near the South Rim.
At last!
This was Marilyn's and Valentina's first R2R2R, David's second and my fourth. We celebrated in the Bright Angel bar and enjoyed another awesome dinner at the Arizona café. After a substantial breakfast in the Bright Angel café, we sadly bid farewell to the Grand Canyon -- until the next time
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
I know other folks who've done it but doubt that I could.