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Southwest 2014
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We soon lost sight of Roland's group around a corner, as we continued along the base of the Tapeats. At around 6pm - fifteen minutes before sunset - we rounded a final corner and came to a larger side-canyon cut into the Tapeats. This was Sumner Wash, and the Clear Creek trail turned north and began a rising ascent up its western slopes. At the top of this ascent, the trail reached the Tonto Platform. According both to my GPS and to the park description of the trail, this meant we were just minutes away from the start of the at-large camping zone.
Arriving on the Tonto
The intermittent rain and the rumblings of thunder now began to fade. Coupled with that, we could see a few bright areas appearing here and there in the clouds above us. It appeared as if the storm was leaving the area - fortunately without having dumped a load of rain on us!
Gateway to Camping
Once atop the Tonto Platform, the Clear Creek trail resumed its eastward direction. We crossed over the dry bed of Sumner Wash, and continued on along the now mostly-level-again trail. In a matter of a minute or two, we came to a gateway-like arrangement of two prominent stone cairns, one on each side of the path. From various descriptions I had read, I concluded that these must be the markers for the start of the at-large camping area. A quick glance at my GPS revealed that yes, this was nearly exactly at the correct distance from the Clear Creek trailhead.
Many tentsites
After shouting back to the others that we were now in the allowed camping zone, we immediately started looking for good spots for pitching tents. This turned out to be a trivial exercise, for immediately to the right was a gently-sloping tongue of the Tonto platform that had several quite obvious tent circles. A bit more poking around revealed several more - more than sufficient for our ten person, five-tent crew. And, nicely, there was no one else here! We had received the solitude that we had been seeking.
Campsite at sunset
So, we had done it. We had arrived at our camp location before sunset - albeit just. It was 6:14pm - literally one minute before sunset.

No matter, we were here.

As we began to set up tents, a break in the waning storm clouds permitted a brief glow of sunshine to appear in the western sky. A final tribute to a successful day!
Setting up before dark
Caroline and Jenn began setting up their tent. Unfortunately, the rest of us couldn't do the same. We had neglected to collect the remaining half of our tent(s) from our tent partners, which through mere chance happened to mostly be in the tail-end group. We should have thought that aspect through a bit more carefully when we had decided to split up.
Second contingent arrives
About fifteen minutes after we had arrived at our camp location, we spotted Roland, Brian, Alana, Sandra, and Chris climbing the slope up above Sumner Wash. In another five minutes, they had arrived. There was still enough twilight left to set up our tents without headlamps. By the time night truly fell, we were all well set-up and ready for dinner.
Bedtime Prep
Breaking out the stoves, we had dehydrated meals by headlamp, discussed the events of the day, and the new day ahead of us. Despite our compressed schedule and tricky logistics, we had managed to achieve what we had set out to do. I apologize to any sore muscles and blistered skin that may have resulted from that achievement.

At around 9pm, we all turned in for bed. The next day's hike was shorter than today's had been, and with much less elevation variance. We therefore decided that a wake-up call right around sunrise was more than sufficient - allowing us a nice long 9-hour window of sleep.
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Grand Canyon Traverse, Day 1 - click map to view
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Grand Canyon Traverse, Day 1 - click to view
Campground to South Kaibab TH - Hike Data
(Track color: )
Start Time: 9:04a.m.
End Time: 10:07a.m.
Duration: 1h3m
Distance: 3.76 km (2.34 mi)
Average Speed: 3.6 km/hr (2.2 mph)
Start Elevation: 7023ft (2141m) *
Max Elevation: 7222ft (2201m) *
Min Elevation: 7022ft (2140m) *
End Elevation: 7222ft (2201m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 190ft (58m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 6ft (2m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Rim-to-Rim Traverse Day 1 - Hike Data
Start Time: 10:07a.m.
End Time: 6:16p.m.
Duration: 8h8m
Distance: 15.77 km (9.8 mi)
Average Speed: 1.9 km/hr (1.2 mph)
Start Elevation: 7220ft (2201m) *
Max Elevation: 7222ft (2201m) *
Min Elevation: 2461ft (750m) *
End Elevation: 3652ft (1113m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 1189ft (362m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 4736ft (1444m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
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[ Return to "The Checklist Edition" Home page | Introduction | Day 1 : South Kaibab to Clear Creek Trail | Day 2 : Clear Creek Tr to Cottonwood Camp | Day 3 : Cottonwood Camp to North Rim | The North Rim | Drive to Zion | Lady Mountain Redux | The Subway | Angel's Landing | Zion in Flood | Valley of Fire | Wind-up and Return | The "Short Report" | GPS Data ]


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