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Grand Canyon 2005
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Grand Canyon Backpack
Journey to the Canyon
It was now time to head out of Las Vegas and on to the Grand Canyon. On our way, we had to drive over the Hoover Dam, meaning of course some obligatory picture stops. We notice a bunch of construction in the vicinity of the dam. Apparently a new bridge, completely bypassing the Hoover Dam, will be built - no doubt for "security" reasons. Wonder if they'll still allow traffic to drive across the it? The dam really is quite a neat and historic place.
The Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam Closeup
Welcome to Arizona
Once across the Dam, we are in Arizona - the Grand Canyon State! Before going too much farther, we had some shopping to do for stove fuel and groceries. We had all brought some dehydrated food and energy bars with us from Ottawa, but there was still more to buy. It really is a dilemma when looking at what food to bring. One wants lots of calories, but not a lot of weight. This was my introduction to the "Jerkies"...beef jerky, and my now favourite - turkey jerky. Yum! Not bad stuff, and a whole lot better than the Protein Plus bars I had (which I vow never to eat again). Andrew assured me that cheese (harder cheeses that is) will last for 5 days in a backpack, and sure enough he was right. And was I ever glad to have it along. In any case, we stopped at a grocery store in in Kingman, Arizona (a reasonably large town - and historic Route 66 goes right through it).
On route 66
Catholic Graffiti
The Graceful Shopper
It took some of us (not naming any names) quite a bit longer to finish their shopping. (Good thing there is no shopping inside the Grand Canyon, or we may never have gotten out!)
Tardy tardy!
After completing our shopping, it was highway time again, for about 3 more hours, through grand and varied northern Arizona scenery. Off in the distance, we could see the highest point in Arizona, Humphrey's peak, covered in a solid mantle of white. Shannon expressed surprise that Arizona could have snow!
San Francisco Peaks
Video Clip: On the way to the Grand Canyon (Driving)
We arrived at Grand Canyon National Park just about dusk. We drove out to the campsite, and decided to forego our first look at the Canyon until morning, as it was rapidly getting dark, and we had a long day ahead. After a quick dinner in the campsite and some re-organizing of gear, we settled in our tents for the night and were ready for an early rise and the start of our hike.
The isolation department
The original itinerary for this backpack was changed shortly before we were set to leave Ottawa . There had apparently been a large rock slide over a section of the Grandview trail, and a letter from the park service informed us that it would be closed for 2 months. And, our itinerary was for us to hike out on that very trail (the Grandview Trail) on the last day of a 4-day backpack. Andrew managed to change our plans (which was a lucky thing, because if he couldn't change it we wouldn't be able to go at all), so instead of hiking out the Grandview trail, we would be hiking out 30km farther west on the South Kaibab trail.
Shannon's final prep
The beginning part of our itinerary was the same: hike down the New Hance trail to the river. On day 2 we were to hike west on the Tonto trail to Hance creek, and this day remained the same on our new itinerary. Day 3 we were going to hike up to Horseshoe Mesa and camp, then on day 4 we would hike out the Grandview trail. Our new intinerary was 1 day longer, and we would camp at Grapevine Canyon on the 3 rd night, and we would camp at the boundary of 2 backcountry zones (a side-effect of the way the backcountry permit system works) on the 4 th night. On day 5, we would hike out. So... .longer, more challenging, but also more scenery! If you are new to the Grand Canyon and/or you are having a hard time visualizing our itinerary, please have a look at the maps and graphs section.
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