Girls Hike the Canyon: Phantom Ranch

 Yeah!  We made it to Phantom Ranch in time for Dinner!

Sign welcoming us to Phantom Ranch

One of the buildings

Camper Stew and Grand Canyon Beer for Dinner.  Delicious!

Girls Hike the Canyon: North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch

After 7 miles of hiking down, down, down, there was 7 more miles of hiking to get to Phantom Ranch.  Although the hiking was easier physically, it was difficult mentally because there were no markers to let you know how much further you had to go.  So many times we thought we would see Phantom Ranch around the next bend and we only saw more trail.  We also saw very few people on the trail.

Weather clearing and the trail is pretty flat.

Cactus Thrive at the bottom of the canyon

The trail goes on

and on

Electricity to Phantom Ranch.  The insulators are still in use.

The trail goes on some more

Ribbon Falls

The canyon narrowed as we approached Phantom Ranch.

Girls Hike the Canyon: Hiking down the North Kaibab Trail [Fossils]

Girls Hike the Canyon: Hiking down the North Kaibab Trail

I can't believe the day finally arrived

On the trail at 6:20 am on a rainy day.

The first mile or so of trail had a river running down it.

Our first views of the canyon looked like this.

Down, Down, Down we go.

Once we walked through Supai Tunnel, the weather started improving.  We could see the trail below.

We had fun despite the weather.

Made it to the bridge you can see in the pic above

Living on the EDGE!

Hiking buddies.

The weather improves as the day goes on

Lower we Go.

More trees than we expected.

Girls Hike the Canyon - North Rim

Many of the girls on the trip would be seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time.  The view from the Grand Canyon Lodge does not do justice to the size of the canyon so the plan was to drive out to Cape Royal.  As we were driving out on the twenty miles of curvy road, I was worried we would not able to even see the canyon for the clouds and the fog.  There were places we could not even see 10 feet ahead of us on the road.  As we passed the first vista, we only saw clouds.  Fortunately, the skies cleared as we continued.  We even saw a rainbow!

Map of the North Rim.  The drive to Wahalla Overlook and Cape Royal are a must!

Chilly photo op on the North Rim.

Clouds started clearing.

Only a few minutes later.

More clouds come in.  Notice a railing on top of the ledge with the window.

Kay standing over the window.

Me as the skies were clearing.

Girls Hike the Canyon: Lunch Stop

We stopped at the Thunderbird for lunch on the way from Zion to the North Rim of the Canyon.  Of course, we had to try the "Ho-Made" pie!

Girls Hike the Canyon: Leaving Zion (East part of the park)

Checker Board Mesa

Girls Hike the Canyon: Zion

View from the River Walk

Trailhead to the Narrows - This is still on my bucket list.

Celebrating with Friends at the Dessert Pearl Inn

Girls Hike the Canyon - Zion: The top of Angel's Landing

Video form the top

Amazing Views

Short rest before heading back

Amazing how much security this chain provided.

This trail is not for the faint of heart

Made it to the top!