Bright Angel Trail

German version below Last day on my rim-to-rim hike from the north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I start running later than originally planned and the heat of the day can already be guessed at. The 1,000 meters in altitude don't give me a headache. But I know from a hike twelve years ago that the heat is the biggest challenge. But I'm still at the beginning of the road. The Silver Bridge is quickly behind me and it doesn't take long to reach Pipe Creek Beach either. Photo motif: my hiking boots on the stones of the beach. They have now taken me to the Grand Canyon for the fourth time and their 26 years are almost invisible. Except for new soles, they are in their original condition. On the further way to Indian Gardens I meet the first hikers who have set out there. Nice to see I'm not the last one out of the tent today. A small encounter with a rattlesnake reminds me again that you have to be careful where you step. As always, Indian Gardens is a welcome oasis along the way. I fill up my water bottles, eat my trail mix and doze for a good hour before climbing the South Rim. Notices indicate that the water line that normally supplies the 3 Mile Resthouse and the 1.5 Mile Resthouse has burst. So it means: bunkering water; there is nothing on the way. As expected, the heat doesn't make it easy for me. I take breaks of almost an hour at both rest houses. Many want to be in the shade that the houses offer today so it's quite crowded. In the afternoon I reach the trailhead, take a few more photos and look forward to my little bungalow. I am greeted warmly at reception and only I worry about my sweaty clothes. You've probably seen this here before... Tomorrow I'll take the Trans Canyon Shuttle back to the North Rim, where my car will be waiting for me. The shuttle starts quite early and as it turns out I'm the only passenger. So space without end and the driver even gives me a sightseeing tour with many interesting stories and two stops at wonderful viewpoints. --------------------- Last day on my Rim-to-Rim hike from the north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I start later than actually planned and the heat of the day can already be guessed. The good 1000 meters of altitude do not give me a headache. But from a hike twelve years ago I know that the heat is the biggest challenge. But I am still at the beginning of the hike. The Silver Bridge lay almost behind me and up to the Pipe Creek Beach it does not take long as well. Photo motif: my hiking boots on the stones of the beach. They have now brought me to the Grand Canyon for the fourth time and you almost don't see their 26 years. Except for new soles, they are in original condition. On the way to Indian Gardens I meet the first hikers who started there. It is nice to see that I am not the last one to get out of the tent today. During a small encounter with a rattlesnake I realize again that one should be careful where you step. Indian Gardens is always a welcome oasis on the way. I fill up my water bottles, eat from my trail mix, and doze for a good hour before making my way up to the South Rim. Notices alert that the water line that normally supplies the 3 Mile Resthouse and the 1.5 Mile Resthouse has burst. So it's: Bunker water; there is absolutely no water on the way. As expected, the heat does not make it easy for me. At both Rest Houses I take breaks of almost one hour. Many want to stay today in the shade that the houses offer and so it is quite crowded. In the afternoon I reach the trailhead, take a few more photos and look forward to my small cottage. At the reception I received the most friendly and about my sweaty clothes only I worry. I'm sure they've seen that here more often.... Tomorrow I take the Trans Canyon Shuttle back to the North Rim, where my car is waiting for me. The shuttle starts pretty early and as it turns out, I am the only passenger. So I do have a lot of room and the driver even gives me a sightseeing tour with many interesting stories and two stops at beautiful viewpoints.