We all set alarms to wake up no later than 3:15am on September 18th to finish packing gear, eat the first of many small meals of the day, and head to the trailhead to get underway by 4am. I was able to get my tent stowed in less than 5 minutes, but I felt like the process was so loud in the dark and quiet. We did our best to get ready without waking other campers snoozing in nearby sites. Clara's husband, Marc, and Lorra's husband, Jordan, were kind enough to get up in the early dark with us and shuttle us with our poles and loaded packs from the campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead which was approximately 1 mile away. We arrived at the trailhead and set out right on time!
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| This map details the North Rim showing the campground at which we stayed in proximity to the North Kaibab Trailhead where we began our hike. It also shows the route that we hiked from the North Kaibab Trailhead down to Cottonwood Campground, a total mileage of 6.5 miles with a total elevation change of 4,200 ft! |
North Kaibab Trailhead: Elevation = 8,240 ft, Distance Traveled = 0 miles
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| Scott, Ali, Clara, myself, and Lorra at the North Kaibab Trailhead at 4am on September 18, 2021. |
At 4 am, we started down the trail with poles out, fleece jackets on (the temperature was in the low 50s), poles out, and headlamps on! The trail was dusty as the first two miles of the trail is heavily trafficked by both hikers and mules and there was a steady breeze coming up from within the canyon. It was both exciting and a bit spooky to see the big canyon wall escarpments lit up by our headlamps as we made our way down the switchbacks. The North Kaibab trail is fairly sheltered, does not have many areas with shear drop-offs, and has lots of trees. So we felt very safe despite the darkness. Also, there were many hikers also making their way down the trail at that time. You could look down as well as up and see the headlamps of hikers, like moving Christmas lights, as they were carefully making their way down the trail in the darkness. We saw what appeared to be field mice or other rodents hopping thought the brush next to the trail as we hiked.
Supai Tunnel: Elevation = 6,840 ft., Distance Traveled = 2.0 miles
Our first major stop of the hike took place at Supai Tunnel for a bathroom and snack break. Just after we passed through the tunnel, we saw a centipede! Cool!
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| Ali, Lorra, Me, and Clara passing through Supai Tunnel. |
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| The centipede!!! It was about 6 inches long. |
Redwall Bridge: Elevation = 6,040ft. Distance Traveled = 2.6 miles
We hiked the switchbacks down to Redwall Bridge, which was the point that Derek, the boys, and I hiked to back in May 2021 and turned around. The sun was just starting to come up as we crossed the bridge allowing me views of the canyon that I had never seen before!
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Sunrise!
 | Hiker Headlamp Christmas Lights as seen from just past Redwall Bridge!
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| A look back to the north rim where we started our journey. |
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| Another view of the north rim. |
Roaring Springs Junction: Distance Traveled = 4.4 miles
As we headed down into the canyon, we started to hear the rushing water of Roaring Springs. This is the main source of water for the canyon, both for the north and south rims, and treated water from this source supplies the hiker pipeline within the canyon hiking corridor. The Springs feed the Bright Angel Creek which we hiked next to all the way down to the Colorado River. The Springs were a magnificent site to see! From this point on for most of the remainder of our hike, we could hear the water and crossed it many times via bridge.
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| In the picture, the springs falls look tiny. Trust me, they are really tall!!! |
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| We though that this sign was pretty funny. Here are the falls. No water. Haha! |
Manzanita Rest Area: Elevation = 4,400 ft. Distance Traveled = 5.1 miles
The second major rest stop on our hike was Manzanita Rest Area where we stopped for bathroom and the third snack of the morning. Hiking is hungry business!!!!
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| Clara, Lorra, and Ali grabbing snacks at Manzanita Rest Area |
Cottonwood Campground: Elevation = 4,040 ft. Distance Traveled = 6.5 miles
After a 10 minute rest at Manzanita, we set off again towards Cottonwood Campground to top off our water and electrolyte drinks. The views from inside the canyon during this early-morning stretch were just gorgeous!
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| As we hiked, you could start to see views of the south rim of the canyon beyond! |
Stay tuned for the next installment: Side Trip to Ribbon Falls: Elevation 3,760 ft.
What an adventure!
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