Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon

We got underway early this morning and hit the trail about 9:30.  It was, of course, another glorious day to be outside.

Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim Village area, just past Bright Angel Lodge, is one of the most popular hikes in the park.  There may be hundreds of people on that trail on any given day from late spring through summer.  The trail leaves the south rim and descends 3000 feet to Indian Gardens campground then on down to the river and Phantom Ranch.  Indian Gardens is the destination of many people on the trail for a day hike.  It is the most popular route up for hikers who went down South Kaibab Trail to spend the night at Phantom Ranch.  At Indian Gardens, Bright Angel Trail intersects with Plateau Point Trail which leads across the plateau for 1.5 miles to great views of the Colorado River below.  This is the destination for many taking mule rides into the canyon.

We followed the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon for 3 miles to the 2nd water and bathroom rest area, a descend of some 2000 feet.  What goes down must come up, of course.  We got down in about 2.5 hours with a long rest break at the first water and bathroom rest area and several stops for picture taking.  It took about 3.5 hours to get back up to the rim again with a long rest break at the upper water and bathroom rest area and lots of short stops at any shady spot we could find.  We waited several times for mules to pass.  To hike this trail you really have to be able to tolerate mule pee.  It may be several days before I can get that smell out of my nose.

Finally, a bathroom

Our highlight of the day (besides being in the Grand Canyon) was a mother mountain goat and her very little kid.  We met her on the trail about a mile down.  She didn’t stay put long enough for a good picture, but I did the best I could.  It’s always thrilling to us to see wildlife.

Bright Angel Trail as it switchbacks into the canyon