What an amazing trip. The weather was perfect and I was pretty much better from my previous cold. My hubby, on the other hand, went through the whole trip still feeling under the weather, but was stellar none the less. I have to say, that the Grand Canyon from the rim is quite grand, but getting an inside view is absolutely breath taking. No words can describe its beautiful depths.
We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Tuesday and camped on the rim at Mather Campground, woke up at 5:30am on Wednesday morning and met our friends at 7:45 at the top of Bright Angel Trail head. It was a 10 mile hike down to our camp/Phantom Ranch at the bottom. I have to say, that for me, the hike down was the worst part. I have really bad knees and by the the end of the hike, I could barely walk. Because of the whole knee problem, I didn’t get as many pictures going in as I wanted )lots there and coming out). I had a knee brace on, and two hiking sticks, which seemed to help some. Plus my wonderful hubby, carried almost everything (45 lbs worth) except my snacks and water. It took us 7 hours total to hike down.
On Thursday, we spent most of the day resting and recovering our achy muscles and bones. My left knee was swollen so I spent a lot of time sticking my knees in the icy Colorado River and Bright Angel creek. Just as good as real ice.
On Thursday we got up at 4 in the flippin’ morning, packed up and were on the South Kaibab trail at 6am. The hike out was incredibly stunning! My knee pain completely went away (I’m a pretty good stair climber) and we were able to hike out in 5 hours, on a very steep 7 mile, 5000 feet hike up. I feel so accomplished, like I can do anything now.
Now if I could just get my knees in better shape. I’m still pretty young and so are my boys, so I’d like to take them on this trip someday. Any tips on strengthening my knees?
Anyway, I’ve put several of my favorite pictures in this post. If you are interested in seeing more, check out the slide show. The two little girls in the pictures are my little friends Grace(9) and Claire(7). They are two very amazing little hikers. Had absolutely no problems at all. My two guys stayed home with their grandparents, but Super-E is planning for us to take him next year. We’ll see.
Surprisingly, I’m not as sore as I thought I would be. It’s my calves, mostly. I thought I’d be using a walking stick to hobble about for at least a week. It’s amazing what our bodies will tolerate. I have lots to share this week, so I’ll be seeing you again real soon.
Way to go! sorry about the knees though!! gorgeous photos! My hubby wants to do this hike some time!!!
Sounds like a great trip! I’m always the opposite– pretty good at hiking downhills, but the uphills kill me because I get so out of breath!! (I blame geography– I come from a very flat state!) And yes, hiking sticks are the best things ever. I don’t ever want to go back to not using trekking poles!
I have never been… but now I have to. Your photos are stunning…
I’ve been having knee problems as well, and at 25 that is a little ridiculous to me! I have heard that for every pound you put on your body its like 5 pounds to your knees. Don’t know if its true, but I did feel better last year when I lost some weight. Maybe it’s time to lose some more and help my knees out a little… You don’t look like you could stand to lose any weight though, so I don’t know what to tell you! I was hoping yoga and pilates would help my knees, but not true so far.
so pretty! i haven’t been there yet, but i hope to go one day. Going down is the worst- there’s a hike here in town that I’ve only done once because I decided to take the “short cut” (ie. steep path) down and by the time I reached the bottom my knees were shaking like crazy. I’m not sure what, besides practice, helps with that.
Looks like a wonderful trip. I’m not sure I could do it and I know that one of my girls (the princess) would not be pleased about all of that walking. lol The pictures are fabulous!
Those shots are amazing…someday I’ll make it to the Grand Canyon.
oh!! your photos are breath-taking Regina!! I was lucky enough to see the Canyon in a snowstorm…it was my birthday in Feb. a few years ago and I can’t describe the beauty of seeing a wall of snow and fog suddenly lift and reveal that gorgeous Canyon.
You are brave and strong willed to make that hike…hats off to you!!! xx
i did that hike about twenty years ago! it was spectacular, and so other worldly at the bottom. did you get to see the stars at night?
i also have bad knees. i’ve found that riding my bicycle helps them. something about strengthening the rest of the leg helps to support the knee. . .
WAUW, wauw, wauw, I totally respect you! What a great job you did. You have to be so proud about yourself! Congratulations!!!
Wonderful place and gorgeous photos!
After many hikes in and out of the Grand Canyon,
going up is defintely easier!!! I usually start taking arnica tablets a week before and use arnica gel generously at the end of the day. Lot’s of stretching during rest stops and lay down and put your feet as straight up as you can (against a rock wall) for 5 or 10 minutes, really helps. Try it next year!!!