Southern California - My Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Dayhike 5/16/07

EDIT: I ADDED PICS INLINE, BECAUSE IF I'M LAZY, THEN I KNOW YOU PEOPLE ARE LAZY.

Way off-topic...but I'm not a member of any hiking forums...and there IS a picture of a cyclist somewhere in there.

As a few of you know, I hiked the Grand Canyon last Wednesday with my dad. I'm no hiker, but my father was determined, and there was no way I was going to let him go by himself. As it turns out, it was as much a life-changing and father/son bonding experience as a physical test.

The trail from the North Rim to the South Rim via North Kaibab and Bright Angel trails is 24.1 miles, with roughly 7000' total descent, and 6000' total ascent. GPS's don't work so well in the canyon due to the shear rock walls. Ours kept going out, so statistics are sketchy.

It was AS HARD as I expected it to be. I knew I was going to hurt, and I did. I think it's difficulty took my father by surprise as he suffered a little heat exhaustion. Thanks to cycling long-distances, I had learned to fuel and hydrate correctly for an all-day effort. Even though dad routinely runs 10-15 miles every Sunday, he doesn't have much all-day experience...I needed to keep reminding him to eat and drink. It got a little hairy with about 3 miles left (and about 2.5K' elevation), when he couldn't stomach the taste of water. He was taking baby sips of Heed and Gatorade, and sucking on Sport Beans.

In the end, we made it with only a few blisters. Headed to the bar for a much-deserved beer, even though neither of us could finish it, and came home the next day.

I have over 100 pics in this Photobucket folder (http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/), which were taken with my camera, so they don't have many shots of me in them. I did, however, add captions so you know what you're looking at.

My dad has pics in this Photobucket folder (http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/), which has pictures of me.

Take a gander...here's a preview:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon29.jpg

ps. Click 'View as Slideshow' for...well...a slideshow.

Wow is that your dad Mo.........He's HOT.....Just teasing. You are definitely a fine specimen can't wait to view the rest of the pics. Congrats to you and your dad on such a hard hike. I have been waiting for this report :)

Why was your Dad carrying a stick? How many times did he have to prod you with it?

Nice pictures.

Frank...Thankfully it was not a cattle prod. It was a combination telescopic hiking pole, snake flicker, pull-me-from-the-abyss tether, mule tripper.

Ny: Thanks so much!

ps. I'm hesitant to post all the pictures here as opposed to linking them. I don't know why I'm opposed. James posts inline all the time. Maybe I'll do that. Opinions?

post post post...its much easier for us lazy slugs that way :) clicking the link and then clicking on slideshow is taxing :)

post post post...its much easier for us lazy slugs that way :) clicking the link and then clicking on slideshow is taxing :)

:(

Okay...I'll get 'er dun.

As requested:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/1.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/2.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/3.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/4.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/5.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/6.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/7.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/8.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/9.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/10.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/11.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/12.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/13.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/14.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/15.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/16.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/17.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/18.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/19.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/20.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/21.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/22.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/23.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/24.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/25.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/26.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/27.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/28.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/29.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/30.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/31.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/32.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/33.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/34.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/35.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/36.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/37.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/38.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/39.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/40.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/41.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/42.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/43.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/44.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/45.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/46.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/47.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/48.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/49.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/50.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/51.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/52.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/53.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/54.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/55.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/56.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/57.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/58.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/59.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/60.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/61.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/62.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/63.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/64.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/65.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/66.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/67.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/68.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/69.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/70.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/71.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/72.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/73.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/74.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/75.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/76.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/77.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/78.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/79.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/80.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/81.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/82.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/83.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/84.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/85.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/86.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/87.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/88.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/89.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/90.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/91.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/92.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/93.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/94.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/95.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/96.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/97.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/98.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/99.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/100.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/101.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/102.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/103.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/104.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/105.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/106.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/107.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/108.jpg

awesome stuff, paul. first time i went to zion, i also couldn't get over how massive things were. can't imagine how much bigger everything must be in the grand canyon. thanks for sharing that with us!

Paul, I'm at work and just taking a quick break (and peek in here), but I'm going to pour over those pics later as I am drooling. I have got to visit the Grand Canyon in my lifetime. How amazing. Thank you for sharing.

That's great. I LOVE GC. I did south rim to south rim in 1 day a few years back. Link:http://www.minkim.com/fandf/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=gc

Some pics:

http://minkim.com/albums/gc/DSC_1273.sized.jpg

http://www.minkim.com/albums/gc/DSC_1296.sized.jpg
Thats me

http://www.minkim.com/albums/gc/DSC_1305.sized.jpg

Wow, your Colorado was running brown. We opted for Bright Angel for the 3 water stops...as there's no water on S. Kaibab at all. Which do you think was the more scenic?

great pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mo those are fantastic pictures. I plan on taking my daughter there this year. She won't be able to do the whole hike in one day. Is there a midway point to stay? or do you have to camp out?
BTW your dad is hardcore!!!

Awesome, just awesome, Mo! :beer:

Thanks Joy and Jeff!

NY: Like all the signs say, it is absolutely NOT recommended to hike to the river and back in a day. Unless you train for it, it's a really really hard hike. Also, with a day hike, you're not carrying things like a tent or sleeping bag, so if you were to injure yourself, it could make for a rather unpleasant night.

There are 3 campgrounds on the route we took. If you start at the South Rim (the most populous area), the first camp you come to is Indian Garden. This is a true campsite, where you must bring your own tent. Next is Phantom Ranch, (adjacent to Bright Angel Campground) right on the Colorado River. PR has cabins you can rent...but normally you have to make reservations at least 1 year in advance. Further North is Cottonwood Campground, which, like Indian Garden, is a true campsite.

Check Pic #99 for mileage and elevations of the aforementioned camps.

Holy crap a year in advance for reservations :eek: ........hmmmmmmm, well she certainly isn't camping out in a tent. I could suffer with nature if I had to but she won't. Now you think of it I couldn't either, who the hell am I fooling. Well not sure what to do now :(

Going into the Canyon is quite the experience, but I'm no camper. I think you could get the experience by staying on the rim and day-hiking to a few scenic spots. All depends on how much you want to hike. From the S. Rim to the river and back is 18 miles. To Indian Garden, it's about 9.2. To 'Plateau Point' above and to the West of Indian Garden that looks down onto the river is about 12.8 round trip.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/My_GC/92.jpg

The conspicuous trail leading out to the tip of the triangle plateau in the lower middle part of the pic is Plateau Point. Indian Garden is down and to the right of it.

I'd do THAT day hike again. You'd have 6 water stops in 12+ miles, and it should take you between 6 and 8 hours.

6-8 hours of walking with a 12 year old..........can't wait :cry:
Actually it will be really fun. I will take your suggestion and just hit a few scenic spots this way my nephew may want to tag along. My son has already determined that it's not a cool enough location for him.

Wow, your Colorado was running brown. We opted for Bright Angel for the 3 water stops...as there's no water on S. Kaibab at all. Which do you think was the more scenic?

S. Kaibab was far more scenic. I mean it was jaw dropping!!!



Btw: How did you train for that? I wanted to do a n. rim to s. rim day trip as well.

S. Kaibab was far more scenic. I mean it was jaw dropping!!!.

Good to know...since we were going N to S, there was no way we could do S. Kaibab with no water stops.


Btw: How did you train for that? I wanted to do a n. rim to s. rim day trip as well.

We did one 9 miler and one 14 miler (started at the top of Palomar and hiked Nate Harrison grade down 7 miles). It wasn't enough. If I ever did it again, I'd have a couple of 20 milers under my belt and have all my feet issues worked out prior. IME, you need to put in the hours, and from what you saw, the trail is all different conditions.

And here are the pictures from my dad's camera...most have me in them, cause...well...he's my dad.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon01.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon02.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon03.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon04.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon05.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon06.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon07.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon08.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon09.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon10.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon11.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon12.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon13.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon14.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon15.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon16.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon17.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon18.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon19.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon20.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon21.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon22.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon23.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon24.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon25.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon26.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon27.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon28.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon29.jpg

This one's mislabelled, 'cause I'm dumm.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon30.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon31.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r104/Mo_Phat/Dads_GC/GrandCanyon32.jpg

how did the standoff with the bighorn sheep go? did you have to go head to head to gain passage? it looks like he was waiting for you to make a move?

how did the standoff with the bighorn sheep go? did you have to go head to head to gain passage? it looks like he was waiting for you to make a move?

He just stood there...it was eerie. Luckily, we were at the 1.5 mile resthouse, and there were about 8 other people there. He ended up jumping up the cliff and joining 2 others, just eatin' some leaves. They were behind a bunch of bushes, so none of the pics turned out.

Great pics, Paul! Love the play-by-play. That's so cool that you saw a Big Horn.

Hiking rim-to-rim is quite an accomplishment. I hope to be able (fit enough) to do that one day. Wanna do it again sometime? :p


ps. I'm hesitant to post all the pictures here as opposed to linking them. I don't know why I'm opposed. James posts inline all the time.
And it's a total pain in the ass! It would be SO MUCH easier to just link to a photo album. I do it for greater good. :rolleyes: Eh, at least it gives me something chill to do each day. I still can't believe you captioned every photo.

Great stuff! Thanks for posting!

Ah this is very, very cool, Mo'! Thanks so much for sharing... I've been looking forward to seeing the pics/reading about you and your dads adventure. A time I'm sure you'll never forget. :)

WOW!!!! That is one fantastic trip Mo'Phat!!!! Thanks for posting about the trip w/the pics... btw, the pics are awesome :p and what a wonderful opportunity to spend time w/your dad!

trac'

Awesome! :beer: Thanks for sharing.


I have got to visit the Grand Canyon in my lifetime.

Definitely a must visit. Some weekends, when I get out of the lab early on a Saturday, I'm tempted to make a weekend trip of it. One of my favorite spots anywhere. And easily within weekend trip distance.

Thanks everybody!

Wow nice pics, I am thinking my son and I should take a trip to the GC next year.

Wow nice pics, I am thinking my son and I should take a trip to the GC next year.

Cool! If you need any information (logistically...my dad did tons of research), let me know!

Where's Voltman to do his duty?

.....sheesh, OK someone has to say it....


Great rimjob Mo!

:groan:

If it didn't hurt so much, I'd love another rimjob. But, alas, too painful to consider a repeat.

Great pics!

:groan:

If it didn't hurt so much, I'd love another rimjob. But, alas, too painful to consider a repeat.


Some people say that if you do something over and over again, it gets easier.

Then again... Greg Lemond said, "It never gets easier. You just go faster."

:groan:

If it didn't hurt so much, I'd love another rimjob. But, alas, too painful to consider a repeat.

:roflmao: