Grand Canyon Adventure--Part One

I can't say it enough.  This was an AMAZING trip.  A truly awesome adventure!  What better way to see the GRAND CANYON than to go for a 20 mile RUN through this beautiful 7th wonder of the world?! My runs along the dreary canals here in the desert will seem boring compared to the exhilarating sights from the Grand Canyon.  We ran down the South Kaibab trail, and ran/hiked up the Bright Angel trail. Let me break down the experience for you.

(I apologize in advance for the long post... but there's just so much to share! I'll break it up into a two-parter. The adventure DOWN, and the challenge of getting back UP! )

We drove up on Saturday morning, arrived in the late afternoon.  Just enough time to set up camp,
do some small sight seeing, and eat at the cafeteria near the campsite (you know, really "roughing it").  Then it was a small glass of wine/beer before bed.  Because we're classy that way.

 

It was warm during the day, in the mid 70s... but at night it got COLD!  I was bundled up enough to get a little sleep in, but next time, I'm going to bring more layers.  It would be the same for our run the next day... chilly in the morning, much warmer as the sun rose.  Thankfully I had my arm warmers and were easy to pack away as soon as it got hotter.

We woke up around 5am to get all our gear ready.  The main thing was to make sure we took plenty of water.  The trail down there would be no chance for water, but plenty of water stops on the way up.  Also, we'd be burning through calories fast... so we packed plenty of GUs, bars, etc.

 I fueled up with some PocketFuel Cold Brew Coffee, and hydrated with my Cocogo. Then we were off to take the bus to the trail!

The view on the way down was AMAZING! The trail wasn't too treacherous, but there were still some unsure footing and the decline was steep.  We were already booking it down... any faster and we'd risk toppling right over the edge.  The views put all other runs to shame.  It was cool and breezy and the perfect weather for a run down the canyon.

At the major "sight seeing" points we'd stop, snap a few pics, grab some water, and then it was back to the trail!



THIS was the trail... check out just how DOWN it went!  Scary but fun!

Doug was our fearless leader.  Guiding us where we needed to go.  HE is the TRUE beast!  
Just keeping up with him was tough!

One of my favorite parts was the bridge over the Colorado river.  The water was green, the cliffs red and brown... and it was just spectacular.  Plus, I just have a fascination with bridges. LOL

We "rinsed off" our clay-covered feet in the river,  drank plenty more water, and headed over to "Phantom Ranch".  A little shop at the very bottom of the canyon. There, we re-fueled with bagels, coffee, lemonade, and re-stocked our dwindling supply of cliff bars and trail mix.  I thought I'd brought plenty of food but we were burning through calories so fast I was downing as much as a could stomach!  Next time, definitely gotta bring more to eat!

After we re-fueled and had rested a bit. It was time for the REAL challenge: going back UP!  I'll save that for part 2! 

Hope you enjoyed the experience thus far... I know I sure did!
 Stay tuned for more awesomeness!