Archive for the 'Grand Canyon' Category
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
If you’ve never been hiking in the Grand Canyon before, then this is the place to start. The Bright Angel Trail is one of the two superhighways of the Grand Canyon, the other being the South Kaibab Trail. Both of these trails are well maintained and offer some spectacular views of the Canyon. The Bright Angel Trail has the advantage of offering considerable amount of shade (depending on the time of day) of which the Suoth Kaibab Trail offers virtually none.
The Bright Angel Trail was originally an Indian trail used by the Havasupai Indians to commute between the rim and Indian Garden (4.6 miles from the rim). The trail was improved by prospectors in the late 1800’s. The elevation at the rim is 6860 ft.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
At the start of this trail, my fear of heights kicked in. Needless to say, I was hugging the inside of the trail for the first 30 minutes of the hike.
The upper section of the trail looks easy enough on the way down. Nice wide trail, long switchbacks and some incredible views. This section of the trail can be a killer on the way back up, depending on how far you went down. There are some petroglyphs along the top stretch of the trail near the first tunnel
The Bright Angel Fault is also quite obvious along this section of trail as you will discover by examining the rock layers on either side of this side canyon.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
The is the first of two tunnels on the way down the trail.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
Almost one hour into the hike.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
At the Bright Angel Mile and a Half Resthouse, 5720 ft, the squirrels will walk up within a few inches of your feet and beg for food. Having used up half of our water supply, we decided it was time to head back up the trail.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
In addition to the friendly squirrels at the Bright Angel Mile and a Half Resthouse, 5720 ft, there is an emergency phone as well as water and some benches to rest on.
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
This was taken on the way back up the trail. The view was incredible.
