As I had written before, my wife and I had hiked down the South Kaibab trail and stayed two nights at Bright Angel Campground. After a wonderful day fly fishing Bright Angel Creek, we woke early to prepare for our hike out of the Grand Canyon. After a hearty breakfast, we broke camp and started to ascend the Bright Angel Trail. Although the Bright Angel Trail is longer than the South Kaibab Trail, there is water at the Indian Garden Campground which is roughly the halfway mark. We started early and hiked most of the day in the shade of the surrounding canyon walls. We burned through the first 6 miles of the trail rather quickly, but the last three miles of Bright Angel Trail is mostly switchbacks. We were forced to slow and take our time, pausing often to rest and drink plenty of water. Below is a photo journey of the sites along the trail. Bright Angel Trail is very beautiful and I was happy that we were able to see both South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails on our trip.

As I did with the South Kaibab Trail, I took notes of our times and stops along the way (although the last three miles were filled with many stops.

• 7:20 – Left Bright Angel Campground
• 7:55 – River Rest House
• 8:20 – Short Break on creek (10 minute break)
• 9:05 – Top of the Devil’s Corkscrew (5 minute break)
• 9:40 – Tonto East Trail Junction
• 9:50 – Indian Garden (refilled water, ate, and rested 35 minute break)
• 10:55 – Break before 1st set of switchbacks
• 11:20 – 3 Mile House (15 minute break)
• 12:30 – 1.5 Mile House (many breaks from 3 Mile House to the top)
• 1:17 – 1st Arch (still 7/10ths of a mile to the top)
• 1:45 – 2nd Arch (2/10ths of a mile to the top)
• 1:50 – Trailhead

Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes

Break Time: over an 1 hour 30 minutes

Hiking time: Roughly 5 hours

Total distance is approximately 9.5 miles

The post The Grand Canyon: Hiking the Bright Angel Trail appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

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.