I was 14 when I first hiked the Grand Canyon. It was a place unlike any other--hot, dry, with bright sun, surrounded by rocks that radiate the summer heat and bake like an oven. We hiked from the South Rim all the way to the Colorado River. It was an extreme challenge. I had never done anything like this before.
We left at 6:00 in the morning, before the
sun got high in the sky and the temperature started to rise. Hikers carry a heavy pack, including food supplies, camping gear, and plenty of water. Rangers recommend 1-2 gallons per person. Luckily, on the trail we took, there were spots where you could refill with fresh water. I went with some 6th grade teachers from Delaware. A few of them had done the hike before.
Hikers have to walk down a dusty trail and then climb back up. We took Bright Angel Trail, which is one of the most popular and busy trails. The canyon is about a mile deep, but the trail down is nine miles long. While groups are hiking into the canyon, other groups may be coming back up. Besides hikers, you have to stand aside for the mule trains that take tourists into the canyon. You have to watch where you step!
It's dangerous to hike down and back out in
a single day, so my group stayed overnight at Indian Garden. We hiked down about six miles from the Rim to the campground, dropped off our gear, and headed on down to the river, three miles on down the trail.
It was very hot--about 110 degrees--at the bottom of the canyon. We were really glad to see that river! We took off our shoes and socks, left our packs on the beach, and waded into a protected spot. While I was in the water, some chipmunks got into my pack and ate some of my food. I was annoyed, but they were really cute!
Later that afternoon, we returned to Indian Garden. We set up camp, fixed a simple dinner, and rested. No open fires were permitted because of the danger of forest fires--it was extremely dry that summer. It didn't matter, just as long as it was food. We were starving and very tired.
In the inner canyon, the sun sets in mid-afternoon, but it never cools off. The canyon walls trap all the heat of the day. After dinner, a few of us set out on the trail for Plateau Point, a spot that overlooks the Colorado River. It was hard to sleep that night, but I managed to doze off. We left the next morning at 6:00. I traveled fast. By 10:00, I was back on the rim eating ice cream. It had been a great trip. I couldn't wait to do it again the following year!
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