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| Mather Campground - GCNP Arizona May 2014 |
May 12, 2014 - This past week is/was, what's turning out to be an annual event. My trip to the Grand Canyon with Jerry and Ken. We planned on riding our bikes around the park, a 3 day hike to Bright Angel campground, and enjoying each others company for a few days. I also wanted to take this opportunity to visit with Ranger Dorothy Utech and the on-duty hosts in preparation for my volunteer work starting the July.
Jerry and Ken enjoyed last night in Williams, AZ. I traveled up Sunday and met them at the Trailer Village campground next to the Mather campground. After disconnecting and a quick set-up, we were off to the Backcountry Office to get our lottery number for a backcountry permit to hike the Bright Angel trail. We were very lucky and had number 6. We decided then that we would go to have pizza and beer at the Maswik Lodge. We had our normal greetings, catching up on each other, along with enjoying pizza and beer. They make a great pizza at the Maswik Lodge.
On Monday (May 5, 2014) we were up early and headed out at 7:30AM to the Backcountry Office for the backcountry permit lottery drawing at 8:00AM. We arrived and along with a few other early birds waited for the doors to open. At 8:00AM the Ranger raised the US flag and the lottery began shortly after eight. We were drawn very quickly due to no-shows and had our backcountry permit in hand for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We headed back to our RVs to map out the days adventures. I attempted to meet with Ranger Utech, but the line of incoming visitors at the Mather campground kiosk was piling up and she was running the window by herself. I left her a message and we made the final plans for a bike ride to Yaki Point and Hermit's Rest.
We had a great ride out to Yaki Point. We circled around and headed out to the Bright Angel Trailhead and the road to Hermit's Rest. The first hill to climb was a real challenge for me and at approximately 6,900 feet elevation it took every breath I had, and many gasp for oxygen, to make it to the top. From there I became somewhat adjusted to the added 6,000 feet in elevation to that of Gilbert, AZ. The ride was a blast and we enjoyed an ice cream bar at the Hermit's Rest food and drink window. We completed 25 miles (give or take a 1/2 mile from the 3 Garmin bike computers between us).
Tuesday (May 6, 2014) we loaded our packs in the truck at 7:30AM and headed to the parking lot D at the Backcountry Office. After parking, we unloaded our packs, adjusted our trekking poles, and finally climbed into our packs for the 9.5 mile hike down the Bright Angel trail to the Bright Angel campground and Phantom Ranch on Bright Angel creek at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
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| Bright Angel Campground |
The hike was a blast despite the windy conditions. We spent the fist night at the Bright Angel campground near Phantom Ranch. We had a nice large site by the canyon wall. The wind was very gusty and made putting up the tents a challenge. But with a few rocks and some work, the camp site was up.
Jerry and I hiked out to Plateau Point on the second day and the views were spectacular. We spent the night at the Indian Garden campground and on Thursday morning we hiked out of the canyon to more pizza and beer putting 23 miles behind us.
Friday (May 9, 2014) was pretty much a day to relax and recuperate. I spent the morning relaxing and around 1:30PM, I walked up to Mather Campground to meet the campground hosts on duty and Ranger Utech. Ranger Utech wasn't available, but I was able to meet with the two current hosts on duty. Both were very helpful and I was able to see the host site in the Fir Loop. This allowed me to understand where I'll be living for 3 months along with the electrical, water, and sewage hook-ups.
Saturday (May 10, 2014) we had dinner at the Yavapai Canyon Cafe and walking back to the campground we said our good-byes to Ken. He planned on leaving at 6:00AM and I planned on leaving at 9:00AM. Jerry was moving to the Ten-X campground south of Tusyan to meet his wife, sister-in-law, and nephew for a few days at GCNP.
Sunday (May 11, 2014) I awoke to snow flurries and temperatures in the low 30's. Ken had already departed, but not before the snow started falling. By 8:00AM there was a dusting of snow on the ground and it was starting to come down pretty heavily. I prepared everything to leave and had a last cup of coffee with Jerry. This also gave me an attempt to warm up before leaving. After coffee, I took off and was home back in Gilbert, AZ by 3:00PM.
I'm prepared to arrive on July 1, 2014 to start my volunteer job as campground host at Mather Campground. I have the host's campsites figured out and even have my library card at the CGNP Community Library.
I AM READY!
