Spring Break 2009 (Grand Canyon)

Last year, when we hiked the Grand Canyon with Sam, we thought it would be fun to take Jessica, Sebastian, and Jacob to the Grand Canyon. I also wanted to hike to the North Rim. I applied for permits on November 3rd, and secured permits to camp four nights under the rim. We camped on the rim at Mather campground on the 14th, Bright Angel campground on the 15th, Cottonwood campground on the 16th and 17th, and Indian Garden on the 18th. Since Jessica already blogged most of my pictures at jessandseb.blogspot.com, I thought I would add a few more pictures.

Here is a shot near the East entrance to the Grand Canyon.


Here is a Google map of our trek from the South Rim to the North Rim.


Here's a satellite view.


Condor #80 dive bombed us on the 15th.


On the 17th, Cel and Jacob hiked with me to the North Rim. Here is a picture of Jacob with the National Park Service helicopter. The ranger let Jacob take a shower in the cabin.


The views from the North Rim are different. Here is a picture of the vertical stripes in the rock.


Here is a picture of me at the Coconino overlook climbing up the cliffs.


To prove we really made it the the North Rim, we took some pictures. Here is Jacob and I near the trail head with a stop sign. Look at all the snow, yet we would be camping in the 70's to low 80's in the canyon!


I found this awesome snow angel at the North Rim.


Here is an exhausted Celestine, after hiking for 3 days with little rest. She is the toughest woman I know.


Here is my favorite view in the North Rim. I really enjoyed seeing the verticle stripes. I think I'll call this the "rock of many colors."


Our last night in Cottonwood, Celestine and I saw a ring-tail cat. I tried to get a picture, but all I got was the tail. I put an inset picture of a ring-tailed cat so you can see what was outside our tent!


All in all, it was another unforgettable trip to the Grand Canyon!