The Elite One Percent

No I did not win the lotto but I did make it to the bottom of the Grand Canyon! About 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. Ten percent of those visitors get below the rim of the canyon and only one percent make it to the bottom of the canyon. Only about 10 (or less) children make it to the bottom of the canyon and we had the coolest 4 year old come with us who walked at least 14 of the 23 miles we did total.

Here we are at the trail head of the Bright Angel Trial
After a 4.5 mile walk down hill we were welcomed into Indian Garden by prickly pear cactus, beautiful red bud trees, cottonwood trees, lush green scape, birds chirping and an awesome cabin for us to stay in. We went to a ranger program and she focused on sound scape, pretty much sit down, shut up, and listen to what is around you! After that we hiked another 1.5 miles out to Plateau Point where we watched a mother condor and her chick fly around at sunset. It was simply amazing. After the sun went down we headed back to the cabin for a spaghetti supper and reflection on the day.

We were up early on Monday to head down to Phantom Ranch!

The split for Plateau Point or head down to Phantom Ranch!
It was another 5 miles down to Phantom Ranch which included a few side trips to see trilobite tracks, an old mine, and an archeological dig site. The Bright Angel trail included the Devil's Corkscrew seen below. After 3 miles we hit the river and spent about a half hour splashing in the little cove and watching Regan play in the sand. Then we continued over the bridge after watching some rafters, a kayak, and a canoe go through some rapids. A few pictures later and we were at Phantom!
We had a great sacked lunch packed with lots of carbs and yummy trail food, mailed some awesome postcards, dipped our feet in the stream, then started our hike back to home base. We made it back to Indian Garden ate an awesome burrito made by Jay and then we pretty much all went to bed early.

We left Indian Garden around 9:30 in a few packs. Some people who wanted to hike out for exercise made it out in 2.5 hours! Sam, Jay, Regan, and I got out of the canyon around 2:30 which is not bad for a 4 year old and a pulled muscle in my left foot.

It was a fantastic trip and the canyon looks entirely different now that we have been down into it and have dipped our feet in the Colorado =)