2008
Grand Canyon Adventure
Hike the Grand Canyon and you’ll never be the same…in mind, body and spirit. For three nights and four days we enjoyed, and dreaded, difficult conditions along the trail.
Day 1: Hermits trail…well that’s where we were supposed to start. Unfortunately, due to some miss communications we missed the tram, and we were forced to shuttle our way to Walden trail instead. But after only 1.5 miles we rejoined Hermits Trail and continued our 3060 foot descent along a rocky 3rd rate trail for the next 8 miles.
We set camp, prepped and ate our dehydrated meals, then licked our wounds for dessert. Some of us more than others…the descent has a way of jamming toes into the boot time and again …just asked brother Bob, who I believe now holds the record for most toenails lost on any one hike!
Day 2 along the Tonto trail was just a
short 4 miles to our next camp site. Others, still more energetic, started
the day with a 3 mile round trip, to the Colorado River, before returning
to the main trail to join the rest of us at Monument Creek. 
The steady flow of snow melt fed the creek with a moderate amount of water. Many of us enjoyed a quick rinse in the cold water, while others, UPSTREAM replenished the group water supply using our newly acquired water purification system…pretty cool stuff! With an “early to bed, early to rise,” attitude we readied ourselves for what we anticipated to be a difficult hike on Day3.
From Monument, we reengaged the Tonto Trail and headed east toward Indian Garden. Although the trail was relatively flat, only rising and falling 200 – 400 feet, we knew day 3 would test of our collective capabilities. There was little to no shade on this 10.7 mile hike, which offered some awesome views of the interior of the Canyon and the Colorado River. With temperatures often exceeding 85F, we hauled our 32-40 lb packs, carrying our own water as both Salt creek and Horn creek along the way were deemed “unworthy” with minimal runoff and intolerable levels of radioactive contaminants.
Once we arrived at Indian Garden, we found plenty shade, and fresh potable water. A few of us found refuge in the cool water of our portable shower. Much like a camel back, just fill it with 2-3 gallons, hang it in the sun for a while, then turn on the tap! You learn to be light on the water use and leave some for the next person…which is smart if you plan on hiking with them the next day.
During our brief respite before dinner, we were visited by the Ranger Mullen…which happened to be the same Ranger we met at Bright Angel camp a year earlier. And just as before, our conversation with her was uplifting and entertaining. After she inspected Bob’s blackened toenails,(see photos), she was bewildered to find Jim Sturnot hiked with STEEL TIPPED RED WING WORK SHOES. At more than a pound a piece and a slick sole, these are considerably less than the ideal when you should be wearing something, light weight, breathable, which offers a solid tread to prevent slippage.
This year, Greg “shared” Chuck’s “flying chicken” with Ranger Mullen…(last year it was Chuck’s “flying monkey”). And for two years in a row, he had her sign off his Homer Simpson tent with a sharpie he brought along….never know when you’ll need a sharpie?!
That evening, Jim, Clayton, and Tom snuck out for a spooky little 3 mile night hike to Plateau Point and back. The Canyon’s mighty silhouettes and starry backdrop were visible; however we dare not challenge ourselves with a peek over the cliff to the river. As we hiked back, “the bullfrog serenade” at the creek and water trough peaked our interest. Clayton grabbed a few of these suckers, flipped them over and had them belch for us. Amazingly they sound like lost sheep. As always we could count on Clayton for a few entertaining moments each evening.
Day 4: Ascend 3,040 feet along 4 miles of the Bright Angel trail. If all goes well, we’ll be suckin’ on cold beers in 4 hours…for Bob and Tom that is…Jim, Chuck, Heather, Clayton and Greg, took a couple extra hours to enjoy the views and the amateurs making there way down the trail. What these people and their poor children don’t realize is that hiking down is optional while returning to the top is mandatory…yikes!
All in all we completed the journey, our bodies fatigued, our minds at peace, and our spirits lifted. It was our great 2008 Grand Canyon Adventure.
Submitted By: Thomas Nowak (Santa Barbara, California)