May, 2018 – Grand Canyon Rim2Rim
Grand Canyon – Rim2Rim – South Rim to North Rim
My aunts Terri and Fran have hiked the Canyon many times, it was finally my turn to join them! We flew into Phoenix and arrived in Flagstaff on May 19. On the 20th we drove to the South Rim where we spent the night before beginning our hike down on the 21st. We were at the Bright Angel Trailhead by 4:45am. Our plan was to hike down the South Kaibab Trail but the taxi was running late so we made a quick change of plans.
It was a beautiful morning and it was incredible to see the sunrise in the canyon. We hiked through Indian Garden, Bright Angel Campground, had our lunch at Phantom Ranch, went through Cottonwood Campground and lastly Manzanita before beginning our trek up the North Rim. The hike up was exhausting, by farm the most physically demanding activity I have ever done. On the way up, it began to get dark and we put our headlamps on. We finally reached the Supai Tunnel and at that point I knew we weren’t too far from the finish. I kept pushing on. My Aunt Fran was leading, Terri was in the middle and I was bringing up the rear! Eventually I heard Terri yell, “Courtney, you’re there!” I thought she was kidding! Turns out she wasn’t kidding and I DID IT! I finished Rim2Rim in one day around 8:15pm!
We finished the hike and it was still about a 2 mile walk to the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. I had it set in my head that I was NOT walking any farther. I flagged down a car and the driver was nice enough to give us a ride. We made it to the Deli at the Lodge just before closing time and we were able to get some pizza. The best pizza ever!! (not really, but after that hike, anything tasted amazing). We got into our cabin, took showers and got a good nights sleep.
The next day we walked to the Camp Store and hung around the lodge. They had amazing Adirondack chairs on a patio that overlooked the canyon. I honestly sat there for most of the day! The original plan was to hike back to the South Rim on May 23rd. I was exhausted and Terri’s hip was bugging her so we opted to take the Trans Canyon shuttle back to the South Rim while Fran did a SOLO Rim2Rim!
Overall an incredible experience, absolutely amazing views and many memories made!
