Grand Canyon -- Sept. '03

Back to the Grand Canyon -- here's the sign at the South Kaibab trailhead
...And a map of the trails I took -- I headed down the South Kaibab on Sunday morning to camp at the bottom (Bright Angel Campground) on my first night, then partway up the Bright Angel Trail on day 2 to camp at Indian Gardens that night, then the rest of the way out of the canyon on day 3.
Smoke from forest fires on the North Rim filled the canyon the first day I was there...
Switchbacks down the trail
Here I am... and here's more smoke
Just a little farther down the trail -- more smoke!
Still pretty early on...
More smoke...
Hey smoke!  (oh wait, that's different, right Jeff?)

My backpack
Looking down the South Kaibab Trail where I'm about to walk
Another view from the trail.
Saw a couple mule trains coming down the canyon that morning
One of the first glimpses of the Colorado River.
The Kaibab Suspension Bridge across the Colorado.
Weather report at Phantom Ranch
The canteen at Phantom Ranch.  I had an iced tea there that made me very happy!
Here I am at Phantom Ranch -- what a thrill!  I never thought I'd make it there!
From  the canyon bottom -- looking at the ranger station and up toward the South Rim.
Prickly Pear
Still fascinated with the idea that I was actually at Phantom Ranch, I kept taking pictures of signs there!
Looking across Bright Angel Creek at the campground where I stayed the first night.
Bright Angel Campground sign
This was  pretty late in the evening -- when I arrived earlier it read around 108.
more trail signs...
Next morning crossing the Colorado again, this time on the Bright Angel Suspension Bridge
Along the Bright Angel Trail on the way up.
Here I am, early on day 2.
Decided I needed a picture of my backcountry permit for this trip.
A lizard I met along the way.
A deer...
Along the trail
My campsite the 2nd night (at Indian Garden Campground).
A sunset side-trip to Plateau Point provided this view of the inner gorge of the canyon.
Getting toward sunset at Plateau Point.
Me at Plateau Point
Morning of the 3rd day: a deer in the campground.
Early morning views of the canyon from along the trail.
My gear resting at the 3-mile rest house (only 3 miles left to go to the rim!)
more views from the trail
Getting up to the top, I kinda knew how this guy must feel!
trail signs...
my very dusty hiking shoes after this trip!