USVI-On-Line

I've written a Trip Report for the Tripadvisor Grand Canyon forum, and thought I would share it here. It's probably a wee bit too much text for those of you who aren't thinking of visiting that area, but if you'd like to take a look, it is located here http://tinyurl.com/cbhvl68
The main focus of the trip was hiking down to the bottom of the canyon (and hopefully getting back out), but we added Sedona as bookends to the trip; 3 days prior to the Grand Canyon, and one day between the Grand Canyon and flying back home from Phoenix. For those of you who don't want to read the report and prefer photos, I've selected a few of the hundreds of images we took, and you can just look at the pretty pictures!

Our first hike in Sedona. This was taken at the base of Courthouse Butte.


Same hike in Sedona. Near Bell Rock.


Later in the day we climbed up Cathedral Rock. I loved this hike; we were rewarded with great views from the top.


One of the views from Cathedral Rock.


Just one of the many Sedona panoramic scenes.


The place is so photogenic that I just kept snapping!


We've arrived at the Grand Canyon! Late afternoon at the rim on our first day.


We'd booked one of the historic Bright Angel Cabins right on the rim. This is looking out of our window; the Grand Canyon is right there!


The morning of our descent down to Phantom Ranch. It was probably about 50 degrees, and there was a little bit of snow on the upper part of the South Kaibab trail from a storm 4 days earlier.


The South Kaibab trail has many switchback sections. This section was near the beginning.


As we continued down the views just got more expansive. We took it at a steady pace, and stopped often to take pictures.


Ooh ahh, indeed!


The trail is in great condition all the way down and the view changes at every turn.


We were nearing the half way mark, and having a great time. Time to snap a self portrait! Happy people!


Another panorama; this time with hubby in it.


I just liked this tree. It has such character.


All supplies to Phantom Ranch are delivered by mules. These mules were coming up the trail, bringing back the trash and recycling.


These mules were carrying tourists. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed that trip, but I guess it would have been a little less physically taxing.


Hubby along the trail.


Our first view of the Colorado River!


We've made it down to the river! Crossing the black iron bridge.


Our home for two nights. Cabin #6 at Phantom Ranch. Pretty basic; four bunks. But, it had a toilet and a sink and we weren't camping!


On our rest day, we walked up the North Kaibab trail towards the north rim to Ribbon Falls. A beautiful spot for a picnic.


Another view of the falls. This "rest day" entailed a walk of 12 miles. Although it was easy, I was pooped at the end of the day, and soaked my feet in the creek behind our cabin.


It's my 52nd Birthday and I'm hiking out of the Grand Canyon. Woohoo! This section of switchbacks is called the Devil's Corkscrew. It's early in the day, so we were pretty fresh.


Our climb out of the canyon was on the Bright Angel trail. The views were beautiful and I was feeling pretty doggone good!


Climbing higher and higher. This picture doesn't show it, but for the first 30 to 40 minutes of the day, the skies opened and we were pelted with a cold rain. At the time, we worried that we'd be rained on all day. Not to worry, the weather blew through, and it was gorgeous.


Woohoo! At about 1:30pm we get to the top of the canyon. We'd started at 6:30am; 7 hours total. 9.5 miles, 4400 vertical feet. Two rest stops, zero blisters! Time for a drink and elevating our feet.


Another beautiful day at the Grand Canyon! On our last full day we just explored some of the rim path. We didn't want to leave! In the end we drove back to Sedona for the night so that we'd be closer to PHX for our flight home late the next day.

Very cool! How far in advance did you book your lodging? We are thinking about a family trip with my mom and her husband in a few years when our son is old enough for us not to worry he will tumble down.

I was at the Grand Cayon back in the 80s in May and it snowed!

PA Girl wrote:How far in advance did you book your lodging?

Well, that's the trick. You have to book waaayyy in advance, especially for the Phantom Ranch. For lodging at the bottom of the canyon you need to book one year in advance. Specifically, for any dates in March of 2012, you had to call the Xanterra reservation line on March 1st, 2011 at 7am Mountain Time. That's exactly what I did. But, I met many people who told me they'd been trying to get a cabin at Phantom Ranch for many, many years. So, perhaps I was just lucky. Lodging on the rim is not quite so difficult to get, but suffice it say, you want to book with a large lead time.

We stayed at Bright Angel. Loved it!

Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures. What a trip you have had! We have just been visiting mountains in Oman, which are called the Grand Canyon of Oman, but it seems as if the real Grand Canyon are even more beautiful, and I would love to see the area once. Unfortunately we are not in such conditions that we can do a hike like yours, so perhaps we need to try the mules

Linne

What a great trip report! I have been to the Grand Canyon many times but never had the guts to hike to the bottom. I can't believe that it only took 7 hours to hike out! I could barely walk after hiking halfway down. Thanks for sharing - hope to make it to the bottom some day...

Beautiful photos!

Nice! But my legs were sore after I read your report and saw the great photos.

I just uploaded all 300 and something photos to Shutterfly, so head on over if you are experiencing insomnia. I didn't do any editing, so there are a few duds there. You've been warned!
http://sedonathegrandcanyonmar2012.shutterfly.com/

Gotta Dance? Read your report on TA today as we were planning to go to the Grand Canyon this fall. Unfortunately, I waited too long and can't get the accommodations I wanted, so we'll go next spring or fall.

Great report.

Just gorgeous! Thank you!

Your pictures are stunning! It looks like you had a great time. And happy birthday. I'm six days older than you. My 52nd was on 3/20. I did not climb in the grand canyon that day but I did sit at Lake Michigan with my toes in the sand for a couple hours. That was a birthday first for me. We usually still have snow and icebergs in March!

michigancouple wrote:My 52nd was on 3/20. I did not climb in the grand canyon that day but I did sit at Lake Michigan with my toes in the sand for a couple hours. That was a birthday first for me. We usually still have snow and icebergs in March!

Happy belated birthday! I envy you for having your toes in the sand, but I wouldn't trade the thrill of my 52nd for much. It was exhausting but fab-u-lous! We missed 80 degree weather here in VT while we were gone.