With Nataly, South Kaibab, Clear Creek, Bright Angel and Grandview Trails
Nataly and I visited the Grand Canyon during Spring of 2003 with the sole objective of hiking to the Colorado. I had the experience with Sophi in June 2002 to help with planning.
This time we stayed in Tuscayan from the get go. And this time there was no problem getting on the waiting list for Phantom Ranch. In fact, we were going to stay 2 nights in the bunk house and we were to set off the very next morning. We would start at the Kaibab trailhead and return on Bright Angel.
The night before leaving it snowed about 4 inches. Nata and I arrived early enough for the 7:00 shuttle bus to the Kaibab trailhead. The snow added another layer of beauty to the canyon.
Nataly arrived at Phantom Ranch a couple of hours before me. My knees don’t do well downhill and I could not walk fast at all. I arrived at the Cantina at Phantom Ranch happy to have a cold Tecate—the perfect reward for the end of a hike. That night dinner was a hearty beef stew. We learned about some of the things other hikers had experienced that day. It seems up the trail (North Kaibab) a few miles is Ribbon Falls. And, just outside of Phantom Ranch, is the Clear Creek Trail that gives access to Cheyava Falls.
After dinner, Nata and I joined with a father and his two daughters (a bit younger than Nata) to play their home-made card game. I don’t remember the rules very well but it was a nice way to occupy our evening. The following morning we explored the environs of Phantom Ranch and pretty much took it easy and let my knees recover.
The following day Nata and I hiked above Phantom Ranch and a piece of the Clear Creek Trail. We hiked maybe 2 or 3 miles before turning back. This was an “off” day for us to rest up for the next day’s ascent. The next morning we hiked out the Bright Angel.
Nata was satisfied to hang around Tuscayan for the next day. I used the time to revisit the Grandview Trail, this time hiking a bit further along the right arm to a lookout point.
Here are a few photos from our hike.
