Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, Version 2017.2

After leaving Marble Canyon behind, it wasn’t long before we starting gaining elevation again and re-entering the spruce and aspen forest of Kaibab National Forest.  The scenery was beautiful, and I felt like I was back in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  I must admit that I was totally unprepared for this, I guess in my mind I was just expecting it to be a big rocky desert.  I love surprises like this!  As we passed through the entrance to the park, dusk was beginning to set in.  Both sides of the road were lined with very large, lush green meadows surrounded by forest.  The meadows were filled with hundreds if not thousands of Mule Deer, each herd larger than the one before it.  There were also American Bison, including several with young, that gave us all a nice look from the road.

Our group of ten explorers were thrilled by the wildlife and the scenery, but we raced on in hopes of catching the Grand Canyon at sunset.

Fortunately, we made it with a few minutes to spare.  The lodge at the north rim is nothing short of spectacular, nestled on the very edge of the chasm with viewing patios and pathways leading to other lookouts over the canyon.

My first look at the Grand Canyon came from inside, and it almost didn’t even seem real.  I literally stopped in my tracks and snapped this quick photo.

 

I pulled myself away from this view to stumble outside with the rest of the group.  The patio was crowded with people enjoying the sunset and cool evening temperatures, and we barged outside boisterous with excitement and felt like we just interrupted a funeral.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, was quiet and speaking in whispers, just soaking up the awesome display before them.  The reverence shown by the spectators spoke volumes of the beauty and majesty of the scene.

This is what we saw.

Can you see the people sitting on the ledge on the far upper left?  Much braver than me.

Here is a view of the lodge from one of the lookouts below:

We remained outside until it was too dark to see.  For the first time in several months, I felt an uncomfortable sense of fear settling into my gut as I looked over the edge and into the canyon below.  I tried to look across the sky to the other side, and in no way whatsoever could imagine being able to walk through that giant hole in the ground and end up on the south rim.  Of course, I did not even have any idea what I was looking at, if the canyon walls that I saw on the other side were even the right destination.  It sounds really stupid to say that the landscape before me was so enormous that I couldn’t even put my head around it, because after all, it was the Grand Canyon.  But the sheer size and scope of the canyon and the task ahead of me grabbed me by the throat for a few minutes, and I said a prayer for guidance and safety for the next day.

 

The lodge inside was bustling with activity, as people scurried about coming in from their day outdoors and making plans for the next day. I tried to take it all in, but was distracted by the need to find some dinner.  I saw people walking around with pizza that looked like exactly what I had in mind, but my crew had reservations for dinner in the lodge so I would have to wait my turn.  

Eventually we were all seated at a nice table in the corner.  The waitress asked if what we were up to and whether we we ready for some drinks.  As soon as we mentioned the rim to rim, she said “well that means no beer for you guys, let me get you a few pitchers of water”.  The dinner and service was excellent.  With the large windows and beautiful stone walls and decor, having a meal here anytime during daylight hours would be worth a stop.

 

We hustled off to make our final preparations for the big hike, get our gear and water ready, and try to get some sleep.  Dan had reserved enough cabins for us so that we each got a bed, even if it meant a bunk bed.  Poor Dan had to bunk below me, and I have no doubt that my restless tossing and turning kept him awake as well.  At one point I got up to use the restrooms, the downside of all those pitchers of water, and stepped outside to feel the gusty wind on my face.  One look at the sky and again I was overwhelmed by the vastness of this place, the stars greater in number than I can ever recall seeing.  The wind rustled through the spruce trees with a sound I had never heard.  I was in awe.  Now I somehow had to get some sleep, as the early wake up call was just around the corner and I was going to need all the gas in the tank I could muster.