Bright Angel Trail

Roger did not want to leave the park without hiking on the Bright Angel Trail. This is the parks most popular trail going down into the canyon to Indian Garden and then on to Phantom Ranch. We hiked about a mile - it is steep and narrow in many spots but we enjoyed the challenge. We met a couple about our age with big back packs on their way back from Phantom Ranch – they were on the trail 4 days and 3 nights camping – carried all their food, water, clothing and camping gear! They said it was arduous but they were glad they did it – and survived! She had had 2 hip replacements! It was in the mid 70’s at the rim of the canyon yesterday afternoon and 105 at Indian Gardens! They told of others down at Phantom Ranch that were not doing well and were worried about how they were going to get out. One man was trying to hire a mule to carry his wife out and was told he needed to hike out and come back with a mule train and an extra mule for her! They do have a helicopter pad for extreme emergencies. There is a sign at the beginning of the trail that tells the story of a young woman, a Boston Marathon runner, that died in the canyon in 2004. She and a companion left for what they thought was a 15 mile hike – without a map – actually were on a 27 mile long trail – they ran out of water – the temperature in the bottom of the canyon was 105 degrees and she died of dehydration. Scary stuff!
We have to leave this place tomorrow and get some rest! Megan and Carlos are meeting us in Zion National Park next week and we have to have enough energy to keep up with them! But, what a wonderful week we have had here in this awesome national park!