Let me start by saying one word to describe the Grande Canyon. GRANDE! In every way possible. I’ve seen it before from the top but Acacia Davis had never seen it. Plan was to hike it today and head home tomorrow. Well, after the disappointing results of her show Friday, I rented a pack for her, two sleeping bags, 2 sleeping blow up pads, a tent, and an ultralight camp stove from REI. I brought my pack for the hike so i was good. (I sure was missing my ultra lite gear I use though lol)
We left out of Phoenix at 4 am and got to the back country info center at the Grand Canyon national park in time to grab a highly sought after permit to camp below the rim. (Got lucky to snag one). Her and I threw our gear on and headed down 4.5 miles and 3200 foot down to camp. As beautiful as this canyon is from the top, it will leave you in awe as you decend. Once at camp we set everything up and had lunch. Enjoyed a nice shower come through and listened to extremely loud thunder rumble and roar off the canyon walls. Next stop, the river! Only another 3.3 miles and 1200 foot down.
Once at the river we took our boots off and dipped some toes in the icy frigid water. Unfortunately, it’s the rainy season so the river was very chocolate. Tossed our boots on and headed back up to camp. Tired by this point was a major understatement. We got back in time to eat some mountain house meals and walk down the trail a few hundred yards to see an amazing sky full of stars and the Milky Way. Then off to bed.
Day 2. Woke up at 5 and made our way out to plateau point. 1.5 miles further. We enjoyed the sun breaking over the rim and lighting up the side of the canyon wall. The river was right below is and we could see the south rim 6 miles above us (where we came in at) and the north rim much further than that. The East and west views went for miles and miles. It was one of our most favorite views. Off to break camp and head out.
At 9:00 we headed up. And let me tell you, gaining 3200 feet of elevation of basically stair stepping with 45 pounds on your back (Caci with 25) SUCKED. That’s the hardest hike I’ve
ever done. The last 3 miles were absolutely brutal! Never the less, we made it out at 12:15. Hot, tired, worn out, and hurting. In all, over 18 miles hiked and a loss of 4400 feet down only to gain it all back..
Hiking the grande canyon has always been a bucket list to do. Caci has always wanted to see it. I couldn’t think of a better way and better person to experience this with. It makes me incredibly happy to have been able to give this experience to my wife! She is my adventure buddy and i love each and every adventure we share!
Looking down from the top
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We left out of Phoenix at 4 am and got to the back country info center at the Grand Canyon national park in time to grab a highly sought after permit to camp below the rim. (Got lucky to snag one). Her and I threw our gear on and headed down 4.5 miles and 3200 foot down to camp. As beautiful as this canyon is from the top, it will leave you in awe as you decend. Once at camp we set everything up and had lunch. Enjoyed a nice shower come through and listened to extremely loud thunder rumble and roar off the canyon walls. Next stop, the river! Only another 3.3 miles and 1200 foot down.
Once at the river we took our boots off and dipped some toes in the icy frigid water. Unfortunately, it’s the rainy season so the river was very chocolate. Tossed our boots on and headed back up to camp. Tired by this point was a major understatement. We got back in time to eat some mountain house meals and walk down the trail a few hundred yards to see an amazing sky full of stars and the Milky Way. Then off to bed.
Day 2. Woke up at 5 and made our way out to plateau point. 1.5 miles further. We enjoyed the sun breaking over the rim and lighting up the side of the canyon wall. The river was right below is and we could see the south rim 6 miles above us (where we came in at) and the north rim much further than that. The East and west views went for miles and miles. It was one of our most favorite views. Off to break camp and head out.
At 9:00 we headed up. And let me tell you, gaining 3200 feet of elevation of basically stair stepping with 45 pounds on your back (Caci with 25) SUCKED. That’s the hardest hike I’ve
ever done. The last 3 miles were absolutely brutal! Never the less, we made it out at 12:15. Hot, tired, worn out, and hurting. In all, over 18 miles hiked and a loss of 4400 feet down only to gain it all back..
Hiking the grande canyon has always been a bucket list to do. Caci has always wanted to see it. I couldn’t think of a better way and better person to experience this with. It makes me incredibly happy to have been able to give this experience to my wife! She is my adventure buddy and i love each and every adventure we share!
Looking down from the top
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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