more interesting geology in Red Canyon

natural rock art

The Colorado River – Hance Beach, Hance Rapids

I must have been somewhat dehydrated from the very beginning of the hike, because I had drank four quarts on the decent alone. I only had two quarts remaining, to last for the entire hike uphill to the rim. Not good.

Thunder rumbled on the south rim as I made the return ascent, wondering about the potential for flash floods in Red Canyon.

The final miles to the rim were extremely taxing, as evidenced in the above photo. I rationed the remaining water best I could, but the last stretch was so excruciating. I had to stop and lie down on my back to catch my breath at least once every few minutes – very dehydrated and exhausted. The trail took quite a bit of concentration to follow, and I strayed off of it a number of times.

I’ll never forget that there was this little songbird following me. Each time I stopped to rest, it always landed on a nearby branch, as if to encourage me to the top.

I only saw one other human being on this day, about halfway up the return ascent.

I managed to successfully hitchhike after dark, back home to Grand Canyon Village.