My brothers flew out from Phili for a long weekend, and they asked me to plan a camping trip with a bit of Arizona hiking. After laying out a couple of different options, we settled on a particular canyon that I’ve been wanting to explore more thoroughly. I’d hiked into a lower section of it before, but had wanted to see the upper end of it.

Between the hiking and time spent around a crackling fire, the weekend was over before we knew it, and I was shuttling them back to airport. There is something special about the bond we have as brothers, and despite the time and distance apart, it always remains strong. We parted ways vowing to plan more trips like this one in the future.

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Since moving to Arizona. it has been my dream to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I put in for a backcountry permit and somehow my request was “lost.” So this year on our spring break, my wife and I drove up to the Canyon to apply for the few last minute walk-in permits. We camped for two nights and were lucky enough to snag two nights at Bright Angel Campground at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Our plan was to hike down the South Kaibab Trail and two days later hike out on the Bright Angel Trail.

Below you will find a photo barage from the trail. I have also included my own trail notes on time and breaks for those that are looking  for a bit of info before they head down the trail.

Temps – When we broke camp in the morning on top of the South Rim it was 27º. The day was overcast, but by the time we made it to the bottom it was 76º

Pack Weight: My packweight was 43lbs and my wife was carrying around 32. We were staying for two nights in the bottom and so brought a tent, food, and water to make it down the trail

• 8:45 – Started our descent
• 9:10 – Ooh Aah Pt.
• 9:25 – Cedar Ridge (took 15 minute break)
• 10:10 – Rock Pile below Cedar Ridge  (10 minute break)
• 10:35 – Skeleton Pt
• 10:50 – 3.5 mile sign on steps   (10 minute break)
• 11:40 – Tipoff (20 minute break/lunch)
• 12:50 – Break within sight of bridge (10 minute break)
• 1:20 – Arrive in campsite

Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes

Break Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Hiking time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Total distance is approximately 6.5 miles

The post The Grand Canyon: Hiking the South Kaibab Trail appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Michelle and I live not far from the White Tank Mountains. As a matter of fact, you can see Barry Goldwater Peak, the highest point in the White Tank Mountains, from our back yard. Since moving to Arizona, I have said on more than one occasion, that I would like to hike to the top of those mountains. So, we did. The 13 mile round trip hike was a heck of a workout, but extremely rewarding. Here’s some images from our journey.

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