Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
I nearly let the fact that some people run the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (42 miles) in 10–15 hours, while I did my “mere” Rim-to-Rim (21 miles) in 10 hours, diminish my sense of accomplishment, but I got over it. It was a great hike, and comparison really is the thief of joy.
I started at 4 a.m. in the dark with a headlamp, taking the bus to the South Kaibab Trail. Walking alone in the dark felt a little spooky, like the wind itself carried spirits through the canyon. Still, I kept moving. When I paused along the switchbacks and looked down over the edge, I could see a string of headlamps miles below me, tracing the trail like miners working at the bottom of a deep deep mine.
By the time I reached Skeleton Point, the first light of day began to glow pink and blue. Before I knew it, I was down at the river, sitting on the bridge and eating an apple. At Phantom Ranch, I refueled with snacks and then started the long climb up the North Rim. I reached the lodge in the early afternoon, where I rewarded myself with a shower, a meal, and time spent rocking in a chair, taking in the view.
The next morning, I took the shuttle back to the South Rim, then headed to Flagstaff to visit friends before making the long drive back to Phoenix.
