Hiking and Biking the Grand Canyon

We made it to Hermit's Rest

John enjoying the view on our hike

The last two days the weather has been next to perfect. Temps are in the 60s with sunny skies. Tuesday we headed out to hike the rim trail. We took the shuttle eastbound to Yaki point which is the most eastern spot that the shuttle will go. We just wanted to see this spot. The rim trail starts one stop earlier at the South Kaibab trailhead and we thought we’d see this area and then jump onto the shuttle again and go back one spot. However, the westbound shuttle skips that stop on the way back so instead we went one more stop and started our hike at Pipe Creek Vista. The rim trail is just what it says: a walk along the rim of the Grand Canyon. It is easy hiking and is paved for most of it. We walked to Bright Angel Lodge. The views were beautiful and when you would get far enough from the visitors center, the crowd would thin out some but it is a very busy trail. We hiked about 4 miles, but it seemed longer. At Bright Angel Lodge there are tons of people but inside there is a little bar so we crashed for a little while and had a beer and an appetizer, then headed back on the shuttle.

A friend on the trail

Bike Ride with a view!

Today we decided we would bike instead. We mistakenly thought it would be an easy day. Our goal was to use the multi-use trails and roads to ride out to Hermit’s Rest. Since it followed along the rim trail but just to the west of yesterdays hike, we expected the same terrain. We quickly knew we were in for a different ride that we originally thought. As we left the Bright Angel area the first thing we hit was a very long uphill grade. This part of the road is only for the shuttle buses; bikes are allowed but the rule is that bikes must yield to the buses by stopping and pulling off the roadway, and before we reached the top, that is exactly what we had to do. It sucks to have to stop in the middle of a hill and this one we found out on the way back (road sign) is a 6% grade and long. The only good thing is we got to catch our breath. We definitely felt the elevation on this ride, you start breathing hard on the hills and it was like you just couldn’t get enough oxygen in. We kept going and though it was an exhausting ride, it was also one of the most beautiful rides we have ever done. How can you beat a bike ride where the scenery off to your side is this amazing wonder of the world. So in case you visit the GC and want to do this ride be advised it is a work and about 22 miles round trip from the trailer village. 

People hiking the Bright Angel Trail

Now we are just relaxing and watching some tv; we don’t seem to have the energy for anything else. Tomorrow we may take it easier, but who knows.

The End (this one's for you Judy!)

Happy Trails..............