Gand Canyon - South Rim

There isn't a picture in the world that can capture the awe of the Grand Canyon. I think both Amy and I were absolutely stunned silly by it's enormity and the depth of the canyon. Seeing it for the first time is one of those events I'll remember forever. Humbling is another way to describe it...

At certain points, the canyon is over a mile deep. If things look miniscule in the picture, assume it is large if standing next to it!

Across from where we were (south rim) is the north rim, approximately 10 miles away. The south rim sits at 7100 feet while the north rim is 1000 feet higher.

One of the great things about the Grand Canyon is that you can actually hike down into it. There are 3 maintained trails leading from the south rim. Pictured is Phantom House, a small lodge down in the canyon that actually offers up cooked meals. Trick is you have to make reservations 2 years in advance!

Although Phantom House is only about 8 miles away, it would take up to 4 hours to hike to it. Further, to get back would take twice as long for a physically fit person. In the summer, the canyon acts like an oven with temperatures going above 50 degrees celsius, so the only time one should hike is before 10am and after 4pm.

The Forestry Service rescues over 250 people per year who thought they could hike the trails, only to fall victim to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the occasional death.

The Park Rangers use pack mules to get supplies down to Phantom House. Can you see them?

One of the suspension bridges that crosses the Colorado River as part of the Kaibab/Bright Angel trails.

The trail below is part of the South Kaibab trail.

The South Kaibab uses many switchbacks to get down/up the canyon. It is highly recommended that unless you are Lance Armstrong, go down the canyon via the South Kaibab, do not try to get out of the canyon via this ruthless trail.

Later in the day appears to be a better time to take pictures, the haze of the afternoon is burned off, and the sun in the west makes for more vibrant colours. Amy and I spent the better part of 10 hours visiting the south rim, so we got to see the canyon in the morning, afternoon, and at sunset.

See the tower? We are heading there, slowly making our way east along the rim trail. We had long given up any thought of getting back to Flagstaff at an early hour, the canyon had us not wanting to ever leave.

The watchtower at the farthest eastern point of the south rim.

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