Hiking The Grand Canyon

Above, the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Backpacking or just hiking isn't really my bag (pun intended), but others who are enthusiasts may find the article posted by the Chicago Tribune on backpacking in Grand Canyon National Park interesting.

I have done some backpacking during my younger days. My legs couldn't handle it at my age. But if one is interesting in seeing the Grand Canyon from below the rims, read on.

The article begins with:

Roughly 6 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park in a year, but fewer than 100,000 of them spend a night in the park’s backcountry. 

My wife and adventuring buddy of more than 30 years had never seen the Grand Canyon, so we figured, why not really visit the place. The only person willing or crazy enough to come along on our wilderness jaunts is my wife’s brother, a physician from Iowa. He joined us with his good humor and roomy van that eased the marathon commute from the Chicago suburbs to Arizona. 

To venture below the canyon’s rim, visitors must walk, raft or ride a mule. We chose the first. Starting at the South Kaibab Trailhead, a few miles east of the touristy Grand Canyon Village via shuttle bus, the trail drops close to 5,000 feet during almost 7 miles of descent into panoramic vistas. The deeper you hike, the greater the visual rewards. But even a casual walker can scamper down just short of a mile to Ooh Aah Point for a stunning view.

Above, hikers on the Bright Angel Trail below Grand Canyon Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.