Hiking Day - North Kaibab Trail

On our second day at the Grand Canyon we decided we'd walk down the North Kaibab Trail. This trail goes all the way to the bottom of the canyon, but we are just going down about 500 feet which is about 1 1/2 miles each way because of the switchbacks. The first photograph will have information about the North Kaibab Trail if you would like to read it. Remember to double click on any photo if you would like to enlarge it to fit your screen.



The going down is not too difficult, but I was concerned about coming back up the trail. We are pretty much "flatlanders" and this altitude is almost 8800 feet. I did not get really out of breath as I have done when I hiked in Colorado, but of course those hikes were above 10,000 feet (climbing up some of the 14-ers (peaks at 14,000 feet). I felt like I needed oxygen, but I digress...

One must remember to take enough water so as not to become dehydrated as it is very dry here and this is a somewhat strenuous hike. I hope you will enjoy this first trail we took.

Starting out...

I discovered if I focused on something in the foreground
the distance & expanse of the canyon
in the background gave more depth & understanding
of how immense this canyon really is.

I love the beautiful foliage as we do not get
to experience many color changes where we live.

In central Texas the leaves are green, then they turn brown and fall off.
We have no real dramatic seasonal changes.

...so I have gone nuts taking photos of the changing colors.

Most of the trees with brilliant gold and red leaves are aspen trees.
Aspen can also be recognized by the white bark on the trunks.
There are many aspen in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado
and I was pleased to see them here as well.

Aspen grow where there are few evergreens.
The evergreens as they grown larger shade the aspen
and they can't survive in that environment.

Aspen are usually the first trees to grow back after a forest fire
which kills the evergreens thus opening up the sky for the aspen.
The aspen regenerate from the root system if they are not too
damaged by fire.

We are still wending our way down the trail.

Looking at the view & trying to capture it to use in my blog.

We met the mule train on their way back up the trail.
They left the lodge at 7:30 this morning and will be back around 11:00.
Their route went past our destination and on down another 500 or more feet.
It's around 9:30 and we meet them on their return.

Down there is where we are going.
Two couples have made it down and are exchanging pleasantries.

They also are resting for the hike back UP the mountain.

The G-man did really well even though he doesn't walk as much as I. He experienced no cramping of the legs as he sometimes does when he walks the hills with me & Gertie in our neighborhood. We have made it to the point we wanted to reach and are taking a little rest.

Here's Lizzy looking over the edge into the canyon below.
Beautiful view!

More beautiful foliage.

Stunning.
Now we are starting back up the trail.

First rest stop on the way back up.
Walk a ways & stop in a shady area.

Another rest stop, but we are almost back to the top.
When we started out the temperature was in the 30 degree F range,
but it quickly warms up and of course there is the exercise!
Soon I shall show you the other trails we walked,
but now I need a rest just thinking about what we did!