There is so much blowing snow and clouds that we cannot see the canyon. Luckily, we did see it yesterday and are confident it is probably still there! We hope that if we can get down low enough, we'll find warmer temperatures. We just don't know if there will be rain, or what weather we'll encounter.
As we carefully head down the steep trail, we begin to see the snow diminish...
Far below us we see our first mule train coming up the steep trail. You can see in the photo below that the trail has steep switchbacks. Can you see the mule train?
They will have the right of way once we meet.
The trail is steep, but eventually we catch a glimpse of the Colorado River.
As the time and miles pass, and we get lower in the canyon, we start to hear thunder and see that a rain storm is headed our way. We hurry our pace and see the bridge below us. Our timing is perfect to shelter in the tunnel during the worst of the rain, and we decide to have our lunchbreak.
Unfortunately, as we are comfortably settled in the tunnel, we hear an approaching mule train. The leader rounds the corner of the tunnel...
...and tells us we need to get out of the tunnel and cross the bridge to give his mule train room to come through. We throw everything in our packs and head across the bridge.
It's a short walk to set up our "fort" in the Bright Angel Campground, next to Bright Angel Creek. We have hiked 7 miles and dropped 4700 feet in elevation.
We explore the campground, the National Park Service mule stables and the Ranger station.
Thursday we take a 13-mile round trip day hike to see Ribbon Falls. The hike up the canyon is beautiful as we walk beside the creek, and cross it several times. It's a beautiful day for a hike.
Just before the falls, we meet a pissy rattlesnake just beside the trail. We are warned by his rattling, and carefully back off, and then take a detour around his part of the trail.
Lunch is enjoyed at the falls... actually behind the falls since there are about half a dozen college-age kids playing in the lower falls.
Once back at the campsite, we enjoy dinner AT A TABLE!! And pack up for an early start in the morning.
Friday morning we leave early to cross the Colorado River again and go up the Bright Angel trail back to the south rim.
It's a long, hard, steep trail.
After 9.5 miles and 4400 feet elevation increase, we arrive at the top. We're back in civilization. Our journey is done. And what a journey it's been!
