Bright Angel Trail

Heading down into the canyon means negotiating switchbacks. The Grand Canyon's most popular trail is the Bright Angel Trail which is wide, well graded and easy to follow. It's also a heavily trafficked route that's attractive to first-time canyon hikers and mule trains. We didn't encounter any mules, but there was certainly evidence that they use the trail.

The trail is a steep and scenic 7.8-mile descent to the Colorado River with four logical turnaround spots, including two rest-houses. The first rest-house is about 1.5 miles down the trail, the second is 3 miles. Day hikers are strongly urged to consider turning around at one of them because the next two are 9.2 and 12.2 miles round trip. We opted to hike down to the 3-mile rest-house.

There are two of these arches across the trail near the rim. The second arch is about a quarter of a mile further along. Notice the snow hanging around from the blizzard on Monday.

Going...

down.

Almost a mile down we noticed these petroglyphs on the canyon wall about 20-feet above the trail.

Close-up.

This is a surprise picture - we can't remember seeing this boulder or taking a picture of it. It's kind-of neat!

The canyon seemed clearer today, maybe because of the storm on Monday.

Lunch spot at the 3-mile rest-house. We aren't sitting in the covered rest-house because it was jammed packed with other hikers. We went a little ways off the trail.

Lunch view towards the canyon.

Lunch view towards the trail that we have to climb to get to the rim.

Another of these cautionary signs at the 3-mile rest-house.

Going...

up.

This little guy was resting at the 1 1/2-mile rest-house.

This picture, and the one following are..

taken from the rim after we hauled ourselves out of the canyon.

Today's hike:

Length - 7.6 miles (this is from the car)

Duration - 4 hours, 11 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 2,010 feet (203 floors on the Fitbit)