The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim; Where Big is Beautiful
Hiking down into the Grand Canyon from the North Rim starts with some fabulous views.
And they only get better. Notice the trail off in the distance. There we will be in only a few hours time.
The immensity of the place is overwhelming and the deeper you descend, the larger the red rocks loom.
The trails wide and well maintained but the terrain can make you feel a little like a mountain goat from time to time.
The canyons and gorges are ... well gorgeous.
You wind your way along sheer walls
and down steep but steady trails.
With an amazing view around almost every corner.
When you have passed through the red rock zone and enter the green your walking terrain starts to flatten out.
and the canyons start to get narrower and steeper. Walking through the little box canyons along streams and gullies was my favorite part of the hike.
Each time you turned a corner it seemed like a new ecosystem opened up; from desert with prickly pears to swamps with reeds and birdlife.
Until finally the canyons neck down very quickly
only to open up completely to Phantom Ranch and the bridge across the Colorado.
Crossing the Colorado starts your hike back out to the South Rim.
On the south rim trail there is a good view of "The Great Unconformity". A gap in geologic time where curiously, no rocks or fossils are preserved. It is still quite a mystery to science.
The south trail seems to have a great deal more vegetation.
and more people.
But the views are still fabulous.
Oh yes, and mules! There is a pack coming up the trail in the center of the picture. As long as you stay in front of the mules you will never know they are there but they do make a steady pace so you have to keep going.
Until finally near the top on the South Rim you can look back out over the canyon and marvel at the view, the trail and the fact that you made it in one piece!
Check out our website at lunasara.com
And they only get better. Notice the trail off in the distance. There we will be in only a few hours time.
The immensity of the place is overwhelming and the deeper you descend, the larger the red rocks loom.
The trails wide and well maintained but the terrain can make you feel a little like a mountain goat from time to time.
The canyons and gorges are ... well gorgeous.
You wind your way along sheer walls
and down steep but steady trails.
With an amazing view around almost every corner.
When you have passed through the red rock zone and enter the green your walking terrain starts to flatten out.
and the canyons start to get narrower and steeper. Walking through the little box canyons along streams and gullies was my favorite part of the hike.
Each time you turned a corner it seemed like a new ecosystem opened up; from desert with prickly pears to swamps with reeds and birdlife.
Until finally the canyons neck down very quickly
only to open up completely to Phantom Ranch and the bridge across the Colorado.
Crossing the Colorado starts your hike back out to the South Rim.
On the south rim trail there is a good view of "The Great Unconformity". A gap in geologic time where curiously, no rocks or fossils are preserved. It is still quite a mystery to science.
The south trail seems to have a great deal more vegetation.
and more people.
But the views are still fabulous.
Oh yes, and mules! There is a pack coming up the trail in the center of the picture. As long as you stay in front of the mules you will never know they are there but they do make a steady pace so you have to keep going.
Until finally near the top on the South Rim you can look back out over the canyon and marvel at the view, the trail and the fact that you made it in one piece!
Check out our website at lunasara.com
