Rim to Rim: Day 2- North Kaibab Trail to Cottonwood Campground

Big fan of the heart shaped prickly pear cactus pads.  We found one that looked like Pac Man too!

The Cantina at Phantom Ranch.  An air-conditioned oasis at the bottom of the canyon.  We enjoyed a beer and some M&M's the night before.

A view of one of the cabins at Phantom Ranch.  The easier way to do the hike down is to have a cabin at the ranch and order food from the Cantina (although it has to be done in advance and is kind of expensive since everything is brought down by mule).

Oddly enough we found this on the second day, being about 10 miles in.  Obviously, it took this woman that long to realize her lipstick was probably worthless...

There was an arrow drawn in the dirt pointing to this poor little guy.  We then wondered if the cactus was part of his demise, or if someone just found him along the path and placed him there....we'll never know.

Not a lot of elevation change on the second day.

Frog sitting alongside a stream at Ribbon Falls.

Ribbon Falls is about a mile round trip from the main trail and worth the little extra work it is finding the right to get up in to it. 

Looking out from Ribbon Falls

Dave and I waited out the heat of the day here.  I ate lots of pretzels and laid on this very comfy rock enjoying the solitude.

View from behind Ribbon Falls

Wetting down before we continued on our hike

Remember the frog?? Well, these three white blobs are his friends scaling a rock.

Once we got into Cottonwood Campground, we laid out our thermarests and took naps.  Apparently, this little guy was watching me quite closely as I slept.

The North Rim Lodge (where we staid once we got off the trail the next day) ,is up on the right...trust me.

Rim to Rim: Day 1- South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground/Phantom Ranch

We started the hike just before 6am.  Day 1 was a series of switchbacks getting us to the bottom of the canyon.

The canyon ahead.

Resting the feet and eating a salty snack...two very important things to remember to do on this hike.  And drinking lots of water too, of course!

Pretending to mind his own business, but planning an attack!  I'm not kidding...this squirrel wanted our cashews BAD...I feared for my life.

Dave probably feeling pretty good.  Candi smiling through the pain of jammed toes....new boots are definitely in order.

Oh geez...that's a lot of switchbacks!

This squirrel was eating this prickly pear fruit like he hadn't eaten in months. 

More switchbacks, Colorado River and the bridge we would eventually cross to get to our campground.

Looking back at the bridge tunnel.

It's hot at the bottom of the canyon  in August!

Luckily a crisp, clear creek runs through Phantom Ranch and the Campground. Dave is demonstrating the "horizontal hiker".

We were told this was a pink rattlesnake.  Luckily it was several campsites down.

We saw lot's of lizards on our hike.

View of the bridge from Bright Angel trail into Phantom Ranch area.  Unlike, the South Kaibab, Bright Angel has potable water along the way.  Bright Angel is longer, but if we were to do it again, we would probably take Bright Angel down.  Water's heavy!

Grand Canyon National Park August 2010

Our next adventure took us to Grand Canyon National Park.  Dave and I have been "planning" to do this trip ever since we have been together.  Our goal:  Hike the entire Kaibab Trail (Rim to Rim). These pictures are our first views of the canyon and a preview to our hike.

My first impression...."It looks so fake!" Yeah, I said that.  Turns out, its awesomeness is real!

First tourist stop: The Watch Tower. 

A view from the Watch Tower

The grayish colors in this photo are actually green..several different shades of green.  Needless to say, both of us were a little surprised to see so much of that color in the canyon. 

Dave has to see the sunrises and sunsets...I enjoy them too, but I mean, he really has to see them!  Here is our sunrise.

Dave was much more impressed with the sunset.  Notice the rain streaks off in the distance.

Sunset

Sunset

Yeah, we really enjoyed the sunset!