South Rim - Day Four

Elevation gain: 3100 feet
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Today we started hiking at 7:30. Our backpacks were the lightest yet, thankfully! It was up and steep the whole way. The views were the best on the trip and it was an incredible hike. I was overwhelmed with emotion the whole day! Near the top there were many short day hikers asking us about our hike, taking pictures of us and a man even videoed Billy and I and interviewed us about our journeay!! The trip was rewarding on so many levels.  I was able to clear my mind and appreciate the beauty and nature around us, and we were blessed with new friends who we became so close to by the end.  I never expected the emotion I felt on the last day. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done and I am so glad we did this.

Plateau Point - Sunset Day Three

Tonight we hiked 3 miles out to Plateau Point and back for sunset and dinner. We hiked without backpacks so it was easy!! We had 360 degree views of the Canyon and were overlooking the Colorado River. Our guide, Chris, cooked us a fabulous pasta meal. The views were magnificent. The best so far! We hiked back from dinner in the dark. We noticed more blooming flowers at night! It was fun.

Chris cooking us a delicious dinner!

 

You can see the path we walked today.  Wow!

 



Indian Garden - Day Three

Today we hiked a little more than 4 miles, our shortest and easiest day. We left camp at 9:00 and arrived at Indian Garden at 12:30. Our group hikes so fast. We were the last group to leave camp and were one of the first groups to the next camp. The weather has been perfect!! Sunny and 70's today. The campground was so enchanting. We all saw a shooting star together at night!

We passed several groups on mules. 

Phantom Ranch - Day Two

Today we hiked 7 miles. We started at 7:15 and got to Phantom Ranch at 2:30. In the morning we noticed beautiful flowers that bloom at night called the moon flower. We hiked to Ribbon Falls for breakfast. The food has been delicious. We are camping right near the ranch. We had a cold beer and mailed a post card. The views and terrain have been breath taking the whole way! We have a beautiful creek next to us. Everyone swam in the Colorado river except me. 45 degrees!!!

The moon flower that blooms at night. 

 



North Rim - Day One

Elevation loss: 4300 Ft.
Miles: 7 miles

We hiked 5 hours and it was steep and hard at end because our backpacks are so heavy! We are hiking with Gayle from Seattle, Tom and Karen from Nebraska, and our guide Chris. The views have been incredible! We are at cottonwood campground camping. It's really neat camping and we have bathroom.

Grand Canyon

This is our first day! We are driving to the north rim to start hiking and we just stopped at first bridge over Colorado River and our first view of the Grand Canyon. Our backpacks are heavy!! The people in our group are all nice.

Temple Mountain NH

Date: September 14, 2013
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 2084 feet
Backpacks: me light, Billy 30 lbs.

Today we hiked Temple Mountain in Sharon, NH with my mom and dad. It was a nice easy hike with nice views in many spots. We could see Boston. My parents are in great shape! 10 days until the Grand Canyon!!!!!

Mount Chocorura NH

Time: 6 1/2 hours
Elevation: 3475 feet
Miles: 7.4
Backpacks: me 17, billy 30, at top billy both!

Today we hiked Chicocrura. It was hard at the top. Huge rocks and scrambling. At the top 200 feet, Billy took my pack up and down.

Mount Washington

Mt. Washington Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
Date: August 23, 2013
Elevation: 6288 feet
Elevation gain: 3200 feet up
Time: 3:55 up
Backpacks: me 12 pounds, billy 30 lbs.

Today we hiked Mt. Washington and took the Cog Railway down. It was a beautiful day. We could see Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. It was steep the whole way up! But we are both in much better shape and it didn't seem hard except at the very end.

Mount Eisenhower

Date: August 16th
Elevation: 4700 feet
Elevation gain: 2900 feet, 5800 total
Time: 5:40 hiking, 6:10 total
Backpacks: 18 lbs me, 30 lbs Billy

Today we hiked Mt. Eisenhower in the White Mountains NH. It was a good hike and had some steep sections. It was our hardest hike yet. The views were magnificent.

Mount Pierce via Mitzpah hut

Date: August 8, 2013
Distance: 6.8 miles
Time: 5:05 hours, excluding breaks
Elevation: 4300 feet
Backpacks: me 18 lbs, billy 32

Today we hiked mt. Pierce in the White Mountains of NH. It was a nice steady hike up and down. We went up via Mitzpah hut and stopped for a cookie.