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At the top of the South Kaibab Trail
This picture was taken about 7:15 AM So I get up in the morning and immediately feel a sharp pain coming from my right heel. GREAT! Just what I needed when I'm at one of nature's wonders. However after walking around on it for about 15 minutes and getting it iced, the pain was practically eliminated. So I put on the hiking boots and I'm off to the South Kaibab Trail!
You have to take a shuttle bus to the trailhead, or walk over a mile so I decided to wait for the bus. By this point I am certain of one thing....I am going down all the way to the Colorado River and back. Yes, I know this is not recommended that you hike this in one day, but from what I learned by talking to people on my previous hike that there are people that do this everyday at the Canyon.
So with plenty of water, I head down the Canyon via the South Kaibab Trail. I soon learn that this trail at the beginning is quite a bit steeper and narrower. At some points I actually got that woozy stomach feeling from looking over at the steep drop off. The winds didnt help
much either. But thats just me and my issue with heights though. For the most part the beginning of the trail isnt that bad. I told myself if my knee started hurting, which it hadnt this trip at all but in Georgia pretty much prevents me from going more then 5 miles and hurts while walking up a flight of steps, I'd turn around immediately. I think in Georgia I have pain because of the humidity because I've had no problems while hiking out here where its a lot dryer. But anyway about 4 miles down I finally see the Colorado River...its sooooo small! There were several places along the way for a scenic view and I actually made the 6.3 mile hike to the bottom (7000 feet of elevation) in about 3 hours.
I hung out at the bottom of the trail at the Colorado River pretty much just long enough to get a few pictures as I knew it would take me a lot longer to get back to the top since I'd be taking the Bright Angel Trail which was 9.6 miles back to the top from the Phantom Ranch, but it had several stops along
the way for water where as the South Kaibab Trail had no water. Its also getting warm. Where as when I woke up in the morning and it was 40 something degrees, it had to be pushing the high 80's at the bottom of the Canyon by this point, which I knew would be the case.
I'm glad I did take the Bright Angel Trail as I ran out of water (approximately 2 litres worth) just as I reached Indian Gardens, which was 5 miles from Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon.
A little while after Indian Gardens, maybe at the 3 mile resthouse (3 miles from the top of the Canyon) I could feel it hitting me...I was getting tired. It didnt help I brought virtually NO food except some Chex Mix. Very bad move since as it turned out I was in the Canyon for a total of 9 hours. I cant stress enough if you are thinking about doing this, not only bring enough water, but bring PLENTY of food such as energy bars, beef jerky, etc. You'll need it trust me. Luckily just after the 1 1/2 mile rest area some people gave
Another view from South Kaibab Trail
It flattened out here a bit, but there was still a few steep switchbacks to go. me 3 energy bars which got me to the top of the Canyon. To be honest I dont think I would of made it without that small amount of food I was given. I cant remember their names, but if they are reading this I thank you once again my friends.
I'm really glad I did this hike as there is a good chance I'll probably never make it back here again and although I was probably in the best physical condition of my life, that really isnt saying a whole lot. I'll get into that a little bit more on my last blog though. But for me, I had a really great sense of accomplishment that I did something I didnt think I could do. I really havent had a mental and physical challenge like this presented to me in many years. Although I was REALLY tired, I went to sleep that night with a positive vibe but sad knowing my trip was for the most part over.
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