Desert Southwest - The Checklist Edition - Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Traverse, Day 3 - Cottonwood Campsite to North Kaibab TH - September 2014

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An intense burst of short switchbacks ended in a dark hole - a tunnel - that led through a point of Esplanade Sandstone that jutted out into the canyon. This was Supai Tunnel, and immediately on the far side of the tunnel (which was quite short), we arrived at the Supai Tunnel rest stop: standard Grand Canyon 3-post chemical toilet, water fountain, seats and benches. Time for a nice break!

Switchbacks below Supai Tunnel

Supai Tunnel

As we enjoyed our mid-morning snacks and relaxed in the shade of some large trees, we noticed something else here at Supai Tunnel: a hitching post. And tracks - animal tracks - hooved tracks. And yes, the smell of pack animals. On the other side of the trees from us were a group of mules, along with some park visitors atop them.

Given the complete lack of indications on the trail we had just come up (ie - the trail had been pretty much in beautiful condition), I was pretty sure that no mules had been on the North Kaibab below this point. This implied that Supai Tunnel was the turnaround point for mule activity from the North Rim. I wasn't thrilled to see them, frankly, since I was pretty sure what would come next for us: a chewed-up trail and lots of poop and pee.

courtesy PChen

Supai Tunnel Rest Area

Mid-morning break

Refill time

courtesy RHanel

Water Station

Start of Final Push

After a nice, long forty-minute break (based on our current pace and the time, we weren't really in any hurry), we kitted-up and pushed on up the trail.

Now at nearly 7,000 feet, we were firmly in a new climate zone. A thick forest of pines and juniper trees began to mix with a variety of higher altitude deciduous species, along with a few really large ponderosa and lodgepole pines.

Lusher and lusher

Shade Break

Splashes of Fall

Our 10-strong group started to spread out a bit as we climbed up the final thousand feet of switchbacking trail. A periodic break-in-the-shade helped to re-assemble us - save for Pu and Stephanie, who had once again sprinted ahead out of sight.

courtesy RHanel

Nearing the final layer

Mule Sign

Roland's Lizard Closeup

We caught up with Pu at the shady, tree-lined Coconino Overlook, where he had stopped to take in the view. From here, we could gaze down at the length of Roaring Springs canyon, which we had just finished (or rather, nearly finished) climbing up. Sitting at the overlook under the shade of a big pine tree, a startingly chill breeze blew right through our sweaty hiking clothes. After being in the canyon for three days, we were not used to temperatures such as this!

Rounding 6th-last switchback

Coconino Overlook

Coconino Overlook marked our arrival at the top of the white cliffs of Kaibab Limestone - the highest layer on our way up to the North Rim. From here, it was simply a matter of traversing up a few more switchbacks through the forest to the rim.

courtesy PChen

Pu at Coconino Overlook

Shady Final Ascent

The final leg

We rounded the final switchback at about 11:30 a.m. and continued up through a wonderful forest of tall, mature trees. Just shy of the trailhead, we encountered Stephanie, who had graciously waited for us to catch up before topping out. In turn, we did the same, waiting for the tail end of our party to reach us.

Finally, at about 11:40 a.m., we hiked past a series of trail signs and arrived at North Kaibab trailhead and parking lot. We had reached the edge of the Kaibab Plateau. Our rim-to-rim traverse had come to a successful conclusion.