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My
first sight of the Grand
Canyon was quite awe inspiring, but could not prepare me for what
was to come. I was able to check out the Bright
Angel Trail, which I was due to ride on the Mule, and saw the
half way point at Indian Garden.
The day ended with a lovely sunset. |
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The
guide, called Dave, led us down the Bright
Angel trail, doing his best to make us keep up with him. On
the way down, we passed a beautiful
red cliff. Near the bottom, we passed by a telephone
line, installed in the 1930's, and still in use, then we had
a sighting of the Colorado
for the first time. The way to Phantom Range took us along a River
Trail, which runs several hundred feet above the river,then over
a Bridge. |
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Once
we arrived at Phantom Ranch, we were all allocated our cabins. After
supper we went down to the river, passing a temperature
gauge, which read 94F at 7:00 p.m. We then had a lovely
sunset to view. before receiving a talk on the nocturnal wildlife,
and retiring to bed. |
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We
had to get up at 7:00 a.m. to avoid the heat. We had lots of good
views on the way up. We also stopped and dismounted to rest
the Mules, here's me just before
one dismount. Here's my wonderful mule Sassy,
and me, and our Group. Yet
another view form inside the
canyon, followed by a rest for
the mules, but no dismount. Notice how we turn to look over
the edge! A final view of Phantom
Ranch and the Colorado, about 4,000 feet below us!
Another good view, plus a panoramic
view of the canyon. |
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The
trail out was a series of switchbacks, where we could see the riders
in front, several layers above us. However, after 5 hours in the
saddle, we made it out of the canyon, and were able to get off and
rest our behinds, and get our legs working again. A fantastic and
memorable experience. |
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In
the afternoon, a huge rainstrom went down the canyon. Little was
I to know that this would be a precursor for me of some tremendous
storm activity in the desert the next day, which ultimately closed
an Insterstate highway, and caused me to slow right down to 30 m.p.h.
because the rain was a curtain of water, with no visibility! |
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