Bushcamp to North Rim Campgrounds
30.3 miles
Mile 712.4
From Tusayan I followed a paved path that led me the 6 miles into the Grand Canyon.
When I reached the park I swung by the market plaza to grab my last resupply box from the post office and a breakfast burrito from the deli for dinner.
As I was packing my food I met a thru hiker named Nat Geo. He was a cool dude, and since we were both heading the same way we attacked the canyon together.
The views of the canyon were incredible as we descended South Kaibab.
It’s not obvious from the photos, but the trail was packed with folks heading down to the bottom. Fortunately, once we passed Phantom Ranch the crowds died down.
Near the bottom we went through a neat tunnel before crossing the Colorado and arriving at Phantom Ranch.
We dropped our packs out front and headed inside for a beer!
It was a nice treat before beginning the long ascent up the north rim. When we headed back outside I found a squirrel gnawing holes in my pack to get to my snacks. I was extra annoyed because there was a dude standing there watching it happen! He said he tried scaring it off, but it kept coming back…wtf man, it’s a squirrel!
The damn rodent got into my breakfast burrito and trail mix. Oh well, at least he left me some. I used my rage to fuel the 6000 ft ascent up the north rim.
I stopped at Manzanita rest area to top off my water bottle before banging out the final ascent. Somewhere between Phantom Ranch and here I lost Nat Geo.
I passed a couple neat waterfalls and a few other thru hikers as I made my way up the endless switchbacks.
I reached the top just before 6:00 PM. The ground was still covered with heaps of snow, but fortunately the road had been plowed, so I walked it to the North Rim Campgrounds.
Near the admin buildings I found a water tap that was on, so filled up there before finding some dry ground to pitch my tent.
Inside my tent I began my nightly routine only to realize my inReach was missing! Shiiiiiit! I knew immediately where I’d left it where I’d camped the previous night. Looks like I’m heading back to the South Rim tomorrow folks…
Cheers!
Super pictures of the Canyon.
Thanks!
What? A Rim to Rim to Rim? Yout think the InReach is still there? Anyway, nice pictures as always! Even the other thru hikers can’t keep up with you. 😀
It was still there! Woot!
Probably some of the best photos yet. Gotta love that 🐿 cause could have been a 🐻. Almost done so don’t fall off the edge. See ya soon. Lv u G
Thanks!
Wouldn’t that be a rim-rim-rim-rim? Why not a JMT FKT attempt?
That’s right…and not a chance, hiking that fast just doesn’t sound fun to me anymore.