We left the hotel in Grand Canyon Village fairly early on Wednesday to head back up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. After a quick stop at the General Store to pick up crampons we headed to the South Kaibab Trail. The trailhead starts at the top of the South Rim and works its way down switchbacks towards Ooh Aah Point followed by Cedar Ridge, Skeleton Point and Tip Off before meeting up with the Bright Angel Trail at the Colorado River. After snow fell on Monday night the trail was covered with snow and ice (hence the crampons). As we descended into the canyon we passed by two different mule trains which was pretty amazing. We headed down to Ooh Aah Point and after a short break we continued on a little further. The real challenge began after deciding to turn around and head back to the rim. What seemed to be fairly easy going on the way down became quite challenging on the way back up. To put it another way 1.6 miles took close to three hours of hiking. Once back at the top we headed to the Bright Angel Trail Overlook followed by Pima Point to watch the sun set over the canyon. Tonight we’re staying at the El Tovar Lodge right on the rim of the canyon. Tomorrow we head towards Arches.
The South Kaibab trailhead at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A mule train makes its way up South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A mule train makes its way up South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Hikers make their way down the snowy switchbacks of South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Richard Phillips makes his way down South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A second mule train makes its way up South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Richard Phillips makes his way down South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A look back at the top of the canyon after coming down eight switchbacks on the South Kaibab Trail at the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Icicles melt off of the canyon wall along the South Kaibab Trail at the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Snow and ice covers the South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Hikers make their way down South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The South Kaibab Trail continues past Ooh Aah Point along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Ooh Aah Point along the South Kaibab Trail at the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from Ooh Aah Point along the South Kaibab Trail on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from Ooh Aah Point along the South Kaibab Trail on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from Ooh Aah Point along the South Kaibab Trail on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
One of the switchbacks along the South Kaibab Trail as it descends into the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A raven soars over the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A raven soars over the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from South Kaibab Trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The South Kaibab Trail continues to descend along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A raven soars over the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The hike back up South Kaibab Trail towards the rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Richard Phillips hikes up South Kaibab Trail past Ooh Aah Point on his way back to the rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Bright Angel Trail as it cuts down the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
A view of the Grand Canyon from the Bright Angel Trail Overlook on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon as the setting sun casts shadows from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Clouds obscure the sun as it sets over the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon as the setting sun casts shadows from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
The setting sun casts shadows across the Grand Canyon from Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park watch the sun set over Pima Point on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.