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May 30, 2008

After hiking as much of the Rim Trail as possible, it was finally time to venture into the canyon. The choice of trails was obvious – The Bright Angel Trail is the most accessible, most heavily traveled, and most classic Grand Canyon trail.

The mid-afternoon start coincided with a ranger program along the rim about the endangered California Condor. These mammoth, prehistoric-looking scavengers have been raised out of certain extinction, thanks to a unique habitat like the canyon. This is one of the few places in the world where they can commonly be seen soaring in the breeze.

Kolb Studio sits perched on the canyon’s edge. It’s a beacon of
hope (Or dismay!) as viewed from the trail’s upper reaches.

From below the first tunnel – there are two dynamite-created tunnels on the Bright Angel Trail. This one can be seen from the rim.

The first miles of this trail are always relatively crowded, but it made for great photo opportunities to compliment my first-timer’s eye.

Maintainers are always hard at work clearing away the frequent rock slides.

The lower tunnel sits at the base of the convergence of two towering walls of Coconino Sandstone.

Grand Canyon trails are all about switchbacks.

Switchbacks, switchbacks, and more switchbacks.

Did I mention switchbacks.

Look at the scale of that white wall of Coconino Sandstone as it compares with the rest of the canyon. Pictured here is only about half the canyon’s depth, maybe less.

Now check out the scale of that same cliff in relation to these hikers, especially the ones below.

This butte is a dominating feature along the Bright Angel Trail, crowning the battleship formation.

The 1.5 mile rest house – reminiscent of the lean-to’s on the trails back east, these shelters are primarily for shade, and are strictly for day-use only.

The Rock Squirrel – the most fearsome predator of Grand Canyon National Park. I am not kidding. The clinic sees more visits as a result of these little guys than any other wildlife in the park.

See the way he puts on a show, begging for a snack? Feed him, and I’ll likely lose a chunk of my finger. Not only that, but these guys operate like velociraptors. This one puts on a show and poses for all the photographs, while his brothers-in-crime sneak behind my back and try to make off with my Snickers.

one of my favorite photos from this day

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