8.23.22 Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Last time I was at the Grand Canyon was when my motorcycle fell on me while I was camping in the Kaibab forest and it left a BIG GIANT BRUISE on my thigh. So what did I decide to do? Hike the Grand Canyon Rim trail in shorts of course! Ha ha! You should’ve seen the looks I got!
I no longer have my motorcycle but I still go to the Grand Canyon – minus the big bruise.
Sunset in the Grand Canyon? Don’t Mind If I Do!
Heading up from Seligman and Route 66 I landed in the Kaibab Forest for a few days to rest and work among the trees.
I love camping in the Kaibab Forest up by the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s quite the trek in an RV on a dirt road for the 15 miles but well worth the quiet and beauty!
After a couple of days of that I decided to venture into the Grand Canyon.
I wanted to see the sunrise over the canyon so I left camp super early in the dark. Gosh, I hate driving in the dark, that’s when some critters are active and, well, I’d hate to hit one, especially a big one like elk. Luckily, this time they were a no show.
Parking in the Visitor Center parking lot I headed to Mather Point. I heard this was one of the best places to see the sunrise.
The sunrise, I hate to say, was less than spectacular yet when you’ve watched some pretty magnificent ones in Arizona all the rest lose their luster. But still, you can’t beat an early, quiet morning with 50 other tourists in the Grand Canyon.
What Stopped Me from Hiking in the Grand Canyon
Moving from Mather Point I parked my RV by the backcountry office closer to El Tovar hotel and the Bright Angel Trailhead that heads down into the canyon.
I ate some breakfast, eggs and toast, packed my backpack with water, snacks and sunscreen as well as the other hiking essentials, and trekked over to the Bright Angel Trailhead.
Excitement filled my head! I was going to hike down the canyon! Maybe not all the way but maybe a mile or or 2. Then it happened.
The views going down are absolutely breathtaking! But I wouldn’t know because about 1/2 mile into the hike I got a bad case of Acrophobia! I froze!
Trying deep breathing techniques and convincing myself that this is a relatively safe trail as well as watching children walk the trail with ease didn’t work at all. Thinking about not thinking about how high up I was seemed to make the fear heighten!
I eventually got my knees to guide my legs and body back up the trail to safety (in my head).
I can’t begin to express how disappointed in myself I was at this point. I’ve hiked worse and got through it. Seems the fear can hit me at any time. I wasn’t about to attempt it again for a while (I will again some day). I moped back to the RV.
Lunch for Me and the Elk
Cleaned up and hungry I found myself wanting a cheeseburger. The high priced El Tovar’s restaurant help with that craving.
The service at El Tovar restaurant is 5 star and so is the food! One of the best cheeseburgers ever!
What do you do after a heavy lunch? Take a nap. Just kidding. I walked around for a bit along the rim then went for a bike ride. I didn’t want my disappointing hike attempt to stop me from enjoying the beauty of the park.
This is when I was treated to something not everyone gets to see! A mother elk and her baby right off the bike trail! But that’s not all! The calf began to nurse. Wow! I felt like I was intruding on a private moment. I kept as far back as I could but still able to watch, maybe 60-70 feet. Neither mother or baby seemed to pay any attention to me.
When they were done I was hoping they’d move along yet mom wanted to continue to graze in that area. I’m not supposed to get too close to wildlife but I decided to simply ride past them quickly and cautiously to give them back their space.
Despite the failed attempt at descending the Grand Canyon, I’d say it was a pretty good day. I decided to head back to the Kaibab forest for a couple more days.
Want to see some video? Check out my Instagram post below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjOLX7ep-UN/
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I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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