Seeing the Grand Canyon could not be more different than hiking one of best the Grand Canyon hikes! The depth and expanse of the Grand Canyon is unbelievable, as it is a mile deep (not fully seen from many areas), around 10 miles wide, and 277 miles in length.
Thinking about how erosion caused by the Colorado River formed the Canyon is almost unfathomable. Sure, it makes sense, but standing in the Canyon and looking up? It’s simply astonishing. How could water do such a thing!?
Hiking Bright Angel Trail
Anyways, enough with my bewilderment. We began our journey down the Bright Angel Trail (a much more level trail, but longer, equaling about 10 miles to Phantom Ranch). At the start, it was -7 degrees, snowy, and icy…so we had to buy ice grips for the bottom of our shoes. As we descended into the Canyon, the scenery constantly switched from the sight of a Canyon with snow, a surrounding of orange-red walls, and then to a desert garden.
Reaching the Half Way Point of This Grand Canyon Hike
Indian Gardens signifies the halfway point (around 5 miles) to Phantom Ranch. It resides on the first part of the Canyon you see from the top, but it’s only an illusion since that’s only half way down. The next decent is slyly hidden by Canyon walls. At least by the time we arrived, it had warmed up to about 30 degrees!
We continued along in what seemed to be a completely different place than we had been in hours before (and only miles behind). A running river trickled down below us as we passed a few large deer that were not scared in the slightest.
Peeping around a corner, I could see the bottom of the next layer of the Canyon. But to my dismay, our destination was still miles away. And miles of mule poop also laid in the way, making the walk a quite smelly one.
After crossing a few creeks and the final suspension bridge hanging over the Colorado River, we had made it to Phantom Ranch. This would be our destination for the next 2 days. Our relief of being able to sit was made that much better with our packs full of food. We had boxed wine, cheese, summer sausage, and peppered crackers lugged down from the top.
This is a Grand Canyon hike that you need to try.
Remember when you’re hiking, be sure to practice Leave No Trace! We want these beautiful places to be around for a long, long time.