We have been meaning to mention that time is running out for visitors to Sedona in particular, and Northern Arizona, in general. Clearly, much erosion has and continues to occur in those regions. Of course, our knowledge of geology is not on a firm footing; in fact, it’s quite rocky. We understand that the massive boulders and mountains will disappear in 10 to 15 years—that’s millions, naturally. With that mind, we suggest you come for a visit soon before the landscape is leveled completely.
Sedona 4.10am, Tuesday
Confronted with this sight at the rim as we begin descent “We’re not keen on hiking upside-down-mountains,” we said to our editor at an inhuman hour on Tuesday morning (4am). “Where do you get such nonsense?” She questioned, also not feeling comfortable before the sun had switched on its earth beams. As we had initiated the conversation, it was proper to provide an answer. “It’s like this. When we climb or hike up mountains, we begin the incline immediately until reaching the summit. Conversely, with these canyons, it is in reverse—down in the morning when it is cool and uphill in the heat of the day.” That put her in her place. We smiled smugly, feeling awfully smart so early in the day.
“How do you know that mountains are not really upside-down-canyons?” She retorted.
Don’t you just hate it when someone comes back at you like a whip. Our editor obviously doesn’t know her place. We knew the greater than 12-mile hike to Plateau Point, overlooking the Colorado River, was going to be long and tough. However, we had not made allowance for mental cruelty.
Bright Angel Trail, soon after beginning
The rim, 3100 feet above, for the return journey
End of trail—Plateau Point—Colorado River 1,400 feet belowAfter a pleasant trip from Sedona, temperature of 55F at 4:30am, Flagstaff 42F nearly an hour later, we thought we had chosen a good day to hike at the Grand Canyon. In fact, lately we had been observing the weather reports closely. One little thing we overlooked is that the swing from the rim to the bowl can be 30 degrees. On our way down, a ranger questioned our plans rather aggressively, we thought. “You left too late. You will stay down until 3:30pm, as it is not advisable to hike the 3,100 feet elevation in midday heat. Furthermore, you should not hike past Indian Gardens as a day hike. While our editor listened carefully, we could see trouble brewing.
We reached Plateau Point, just over 6-miles down into the bowl at 9:30am, commencing our return nearly an hour later. Too late according to park recommendations. Hmm! It turns out that twenty others joined us for the climb to the rim.
Learning not to fall 'through the cracks' at the overlook
View into the canyon along the trail towards Indian Gardens and beyond
Landscape is harsh but very attractiveOur editor, ascending at her best, made the up-trip in 3 hours, averaging 2mph in very hot conditions, scorching past all and sundry. Even we felt that this was our best performance at the Grand Canyon. With 3 miles to go, a young woman of exceptional form (not that we noticed the half-undressed nubile lass) overtook the ‘hero’ as we stopped for water in the little shade that existed on the trail. On resuming the climb, we were at her heels but she would not allow us to pass. We were now in the difficult position of being sandwiched between the boyfriend behind and the lass in front. With a few hundred yards to go, we opened the lungs for more oxygen, gave instructions to the muscles, put the ‘foot flat’ and screamed (figuratively) past her, exchanging one type of view for another.
An unusual vantage point, new for us, with river peeking through“You believe you’re quite something,” our editor intoned after watching this performance from way behind. “You think you were first up of our group, don’t you? Well, there was a guy who passed you.”
“Yes, we saw that, too. However, we took care him.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“We let the air out of his tyres when he went into the hotel to get a drink.”
“Why did you do something so dumb, Jeffrey?”
“He needed to learn a lesson. We won’t have people interfering with our mid-life crisis. Yes. We fixed him.”
Young couple joins us and obliges with cameraMore tomorrow as the tension reaches a crescendo at the precarious overlook. And we do this for fun.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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