Day 8: Monday, September 11, 2006: Day 4 of Grand Canyon Hike
Got up around 0700’ish as we wanted to hike out of the canyon before it got too hot.
We are going to climb to the top of the Red Wall on the New Hance trail; it is 1.5 miles of supai traverse contouring the red wall. Then we are heading to Coronado Saddle which is about 3 miles and from there up to the East through the Coconino layer to the New Hance Trail Head and then back to the “real world”.
Shane (another guide) hiked down early that morning to meet us at our campsite and “relieve” us of some of our gear and bring us some cold water and frozen Gatorade. The Gatorade was delicious as it was still partially frozen and very refreshing. Shane took our tent and sleeping bags and sleeping mats from Lana and me leaving us feeling like we weren’t carrying much of anything. (Actually we were only carrying our clothing and water and packs, so it was light going for us this last day).
- Tanya
Yeah, we were glad to see Shane and the fresh water and fruit he brought…he even had brought a fresh raspberry Danish…however we weren’t too keen on letting them carry our gear…we felt like we were “wimping out”. Unfortunately, they insisted that they HAD to carry at least our sleeping gear…it was “their job!” and they packed it in their packs before we could get it in ours. Oh well…that was part of the “guided hike” we paid for. ;-) It did make our packs extremely light! (But I still think we could have done it!) ;-)
- Lana
We exited the New Hance Loop trail near Moran Point where Shane had parked his truck and was waiting for us to give us a ride back to the parking lot where we had started and left Theodore (the Trooper, Lana’s truck).
David had told us earlier that he thought this part of the trail was “easier” than yesterdays hike. While it was shorter it seemed just as challenging to me as it involved a lot of scrambling over large rocks where we had to use our hands instead of our poles.
Today’s hike was about 4 miles total, so in all the shortest day hike for us. We exited the trail at about 1300.
- Tanya
I thought today’s hike was slightly easier that yesterday, even though it was still all “climbing”. It was nice to be in intermittent shade and not have the sun mercilessly beating down on you! There were quite a few large boulders and rock walls to clamber onto, so it was more challenging for those with shorter legs. ;-) When we stopped to eat a snack (yummy Danish and fresh berries) David showed us some petroglyphs that he had found. It was pretty cool.
- Lana
We both really wanted a shower by this point so tried to get a room up in the park, but they were all full. So we drove down to Williams, which is a small town about 45 minutes from the Canyon and booked into the KOA there. I have to say that it was very nice to take a shower and wash away what seemed liked over 4 days worth of sweat and grime and not put the hiking boots back on ;-) We went into town and had dinner and then went back to the KOA.
Lana and I both agree though that we would hike the Canyon again in no time and are looking forward to being able to go back again one day.
- Tanya
The hike was SOOO worth it! While it was challenging at times, it was incredible fun! I seriously think that we would have headed right back out onto another trail then and there…okay, so maybe after the shower. ;-) I will admit, there are some things that are nice about living in today’s society. ;-) I definitely plan to return to the Grand Canyon…and hike it, of course!
- Lana
*** We will never forget 9/11***
We are going to climb to the top of the Red Wall on the New Hance trail; it is 1.5 miles of supai traverse contouring the red wall. Then we are heading to Coronado Saddle which is about 3 miles and from there up to the East through the Coconino layer to the New Hance Trail Head and then back to the “real world”.
Shane (another guide) hiked down early that morning to meet us at our campsite and “relieve” us of some of our gear and bring us some cold water and frozen Gatorade. The Gatorade was delicious as it was still partially frozen and very refreshing. Shane took our tent and sleeping bags and sleeping mats from Lana and me leaving us feeling like we weren’t carrying much of anything. (Actually we were only carrying our clothing and water and packs, so it was light going for us this last day).
- Tanya
Yeah, we were glad to see Shane and the fresh water and fruit he brought…he even had brought a fresh raspberry Danish…however we weren’t too keen on letting them carry our gear…we felt like we were “wimping out”. Unfortunately, they insisted that they HAD to carry at least our sleeping gear…it was “their job!” and they packed it in their packs before we could get it in ours. Oh well…that was part of the “guided hike” we paid for. ;-) It did make our packs extremely light! (But I still think we could have done it!) ;-)
- Lana
We exited the New Hance Loop trail near Moran Point where Shane had parked his truck and was waiting for us to give us a ride back to the parking lot where we had started and left Theodore (the Trooper, Lana’s truck).
David had told us earlier that he thought this part of the trail was “easier” than yesterdays hike. While it was shorter it seemed just as challenging to me as it involved a lot of scrambling over large rocks where we had to use our hands instead of our poles.
Today’s hike was about 4 miles total, so in all the shortest day hike for us. We exited the trail at about 1300.
- Tanya
I thought today’s hike was slightly easier that yesterday, even though it was still all “climbing”. It was nice to be in intermittent shade and not have the sun mercilessly beating down on you! There were quite a few large boulders and rock walls to clamber onto, so it was more challenging for those with shorter legs. ;-) When we stopped to eat a snack (yummy Danish and fresh berries) David showed us some petroglyphs that he had found. It was pretty cool.
- Lana
We both really wanted a shower by this point so tried to get a room up in the park, but they were all full. So we drove down to Williams, which is a small town about 45 minutes from the Canyon and booked into the KOA there. I have to say that it was very nice to take a shower and wash away what seemed liked over 4 days worth of sweat and grime and not put the hiking boots back on ;-) We went into town and had dinner and then went back to the KOA.
Lana and I both agree though that we would hike the Canyon again in no time and are looking forward to being able to go back again one day.
- Tanya
The hike was SOOO worth it! While it was challenging at times, it was incredible fun! I seriously think that we would have headed right back out onto another trail then and there…okay, so maybe after the shower. ;-) I will admit, there are some things that are nice about living in today’s society. ;-) I definitely plan to return to the Grand Canyon…and hike it, of course!
- Lana
*** We will never forget 9/11***
posted by Lana at 9:38 PM
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