Parking is not allowed at the trail head at this time, so we need to shuttle. I checked the shuttle schedule online and the first one leaves at 5am. We get up early and have an easy drive into the park. Purchase park ticket from after hours machine, stash car in visitor parking, run to the bathrooms, then head to the shuttle stop.
As we come out of the bathrooms, a bus is leaving.....we get to the shuttle area, where the sign says the bus leaves at 4:45 and we just missed it. No one was on it. The next one leaves at 5:15 and by the time it arrives, the sun is coming up and there are at least 15 people waiting in line.
The ride is quick and there are a variety of people on our shuttle. Once we arrive at the trail head, I'm a bit turned around, since it's been dark the last couple times I have been hit that trail. So, it takes us 5 long minutes, and a bathroom break, before we start down South Kaibab. I am a little worried about starting after the sun has started to rise. We were hoping to finish up around lunch time if we mosey down and up without pushing ourselves too hard.
The first view drains away all the stress of a late departure and we start our shuffle to the bottom.
Shey wears proper hiking attire. Work pants, cut off into capris, and a cotton tshirt. Most importantly he keeps his head covered at all times and applies sun block repeatedly.
Sunrise
On my last hike here, the trail was saturated and full of puddles. I fell several times on the run down, but it was also cloudy all day, which was GREAT. This time the trail was clear and not washed out, but I knew the sun would be on us during our ascent.
Lovely morning.
After 30 minutes or so, we were stripping our jackets off.
We were caught behind these mules, along with three other college age guys. It wasn't so bad. They were quick on the rock sections and it forced us to slow down and enjoy the hike.
It was quite a ways before the mule train pulled over and allowed us to pass. We continued on behind the college guys. At one point a mostly full pack of cigarettes falls from the sky and hits one of the guys on the head. He looks up the sky and is shocked. It was hysterical. They pick it up and we joke about how it will make for good currency in jail, or it may get them a lemonade at Phantom Ranch.
The guys move along as I stop to take pictures and we reach the river alone.
Bridges are always cool! We pass, very close, around another pack of mules and take a small break at Bright Angel trail head.
Then head out on Bright Angel in hopes of hitting the rim before it gets too hot. Bright Angel suspension bridge.
The river! Bright Angel had a good bit of shade and I was thankful. It didn't feel as steep as South Kaibab. We stopped for water twice. The last three miles were tough for me, with the last mile seriously messing up our average. There were quite a few people on the trail for the last two miles, who had come down to check out the views. Shey was a trooper and was cool about me stopping when needed. We finished in time for lunch and weren't any worse for the wear.
Done!!! We caught an easy shuttle back to the parking lot and headed out of the park with no traffic issues. The drive back was fun and we enjoyed looking at the landscape.
We showered and hit the streets for a quick walk to Hoa's cafe. We ordered one of everything and Hoa did not disappoint! The food at Streetside Saigon is amazing! Even though Hoa was slammed with work in the kitchen, he took a few minutes to come out and visit. I invited him to hike, but the trip was last minute and he has to make plans way in advance with the cafe being so busy, so he kindly declined.
Hoa in the kitchen.
We went for a nice walk around Flagstaff to work off some of our lunch, then headed back to the hotel to put our feet up in preparation for another hike tomorrow.
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