March 20-22nd 2010
| Only 2 weeks after we backpacked at Grand Canyon, we went back there again. But, this time is harder and longer. Doing Rim to Rim to Rim in 3 Days. On Friday evening, 4 of us (Debbie, Arianne, Adam and me) met at Fiesta Henderson. Since there were last minutes cancellation, Adam was called only 4 hours prior to meet for rush to join. We drove down to the Mother Campground on South Rim and camped at there. On Saturday morning, we caught the shuttle bus to South Kaibab trailhead. Trail condition was little bit better than couple weeks ago. There were some snow/ice on the trail for first couple hundred yard, but I didn't use my yaktrax. The weather was beautiful. We hiked down to the Phantom Ranch and took a short lunch break. Our first day goal was still 7 miles past Phantom Ranch...Cottonwood Camp Ground. The North Kaibab trail is very mild uphill. I didn't even feel it was up hill. Trail follows Bright Angel Creek in the canyon for several miles. There were several bridges across the creek. We took a break for several times, but still in good pace. Since, we had enough time, Debbie decided to explore the Ribbon Fall. Its only a half mile side trip. The water fall was amazingly beautiful. We spent long time at there for taking a picture. Cottonwood Campground was only a mile from Ribbon Fall. Little less than 8 hours after we left the South Rim, we finaly got to our 1st day goal. On Sunday morning, we woke up ealy. We were going to bag the North Rim. But, North Rim is covered with snow and if nobody broke the trail, there were no way we could make it. After we passed the Roaring Fall, the trail getting little steeper. Even though its a mild up hill and I could still run up if I want. Trail goes up by the middle of cliff. There were many seasonal small water fall by the trail. Once we got around 6,400 ft, Debbie and Adam has decided to turn around. But Alison and I kept going to the North Rim. Shortly after, we cross the tunnell and there were tons of snow after that. I put the yaktrax on my boots. Snow was about 3-4 ft deep, but it was well packed and we could hike on it. About 1 hour of hiking on the snow, both of us made it to the North Rim. We found the sledge at the trailhead and decided to use it. We slided down the trail for couple hundred yard. It was FUN !! After we got back to the Cottonwood campground, we took late lunch. We were tired and hungry. My boots was soaking wet. But, we still have to hike down to the Bright Angel Camp ground thats where we were camping 2nd night On Monday morning, we woke up very ealy. Our plan was just get out the canyon as ealy as possible before it gets hot. Debbie and Adam left the the camp site without eating anything while Arisonne and I were eating Breakfast. We caught up them around Devil's corkscrew. We took a short break at Indian Garden. I wanted to make it to the peak in 2 hours from there. It took me little over 2 hours when we came 2 weeks ago. I jogged a little and kept hiking in fast pace. I passed lots of another hikers but never been passed. I was getting over heating, but fortunately as higher go, temperature drops. Last mile to the South Rim was icy. Most of the hikers coming down wearing heavy jacket, but I was steaming hot even I wore only a T-shirts. It took me 1 hour 51 minutes to make it to the South Rim from Indian Garden. And it was the end of long and hard 3 days backpacking trip. |
 Entire 3D trail map |
 South Kaibab Trail |
 Phantom Ranch |
 Ribbon Fall |
 Cottonwood Campsite |
 North Rim |
 Bright Angel Trail |
 South Rim |
 Elevation Chart |
| Click here to see 3D trail map on Google Earth |
| Click here to see Google Earth Tour |
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