![\"\"](\"https:\/\/awanderingjill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC03547.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0But first, I need coffee. \u00a0I made pancakes earlier and then boiled water in the pan to clean it\/use for coffee. \u00a0I figured since the coffee might taste a bit like pancakes, let’s just add maple syrup for sweetening. \u00a0I bought this press travel mug from REI. \u00a0It works ok, but I’m not super happy with it. \u00a0The filter at the bottom isn’t great and the seal isn’t secure and if you tilt the whole thing wrong, you end up with coffee all over. \u00a0Still, it’s better than no coffee.<\/p>\n
\u00a0We parked at the visitor center and took a shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead. \u00a0And look, mules! \u00a0And a horse in there. \u00a0But mules! \u00a0I love mules! \u00a0Smarter than horses, better to work with than donkeys. \u00a0And stronger than both. \u00a0I don’t know why they aren’t more popular.<\/p>\n \u00a0It’s a shame we can’t go all the way to the bottom. \u00a0That’ll have to be for another trip. \u00a0And we’ll need a backcountry permit for that.<\/p>\n \u00a0Gorgeous view from the start. \u00a0We got here a little later than we wanted, started around 10am, so that might play into the hike.<\/p>\n \u00a0Switchbacks galore await us.<\/p>\n \u00a0It goes surprisingly quickly. \u00a0Then again, we’re starting off fresh, ready to go, and going downwards.<\/p>\n \u00a0I thought of you, KL, when I took this picture.<\/p>\n \u00a0The path is really cool and very well maintained. \u00a0Lots of shade. \u00a0There was a group of sorority girls in front of us – we eventually passed them and I suspect they only made it about a mile in before deciding to head back as we didn’t see them again on the hike.<\/p>\n \u00a0The path leveled out for a bit and the shade was pretty awesome. \u00a0We saw some poor folks who were already beat coming back up the trail. \u00a0I could only hope was that we weren’t going to look like that coming back.<\/p>\n \u00a0Beautiful formations on the ridge above us. \u00a0I’m not sure how far down we are, but we’re only about twenty minutes or so into this hike.<\/p>\n \u00a0Slowly sloping downwards. \u00a0I wonder if they did this purposely to give folks a break coming back up. \u00a0So far, it’s a very pleasant walk.<\/p>\n \u00a0The view from where we were.<\/p>\n You can see the switchbacks we came down in this pic.<\/p>\n \u00a0I love being out here. \u00a0It’s so pretty.<\/p>\n \u00a0The path went around this rock and gave us a great view of what was ahead.<\/p>\n \u00a0This is the first stop on the South Kaibab. \u00a0It’s about a mile into the trail and is aptly named. \u00a0It gave a great view down into the canyon.<\/p>\n \u00a0JA walks to the edge of one of the rocks to look over. \u00a0I managed to bring myself there as well – looking down was amazing in the best sense of the word, but I could only do it for a short period before I began to doubt my balance.<\/p>\n \u00a0We’re not even close to being done hiking. \u00a0Time to head down. \u00a0We’ve got about half a mile to go to the next part, but it supposedly drops a lot in elevation. \u00a0We can start to feel the day heating up a bit as well.<\/p>\n \u00a0It gets pretty steep. \u00a0And for awhile, I wasn’t sure if these puddles were the result of the rain yesterday or of mules kicking out some chemicals.<\/p>\n \u00a0We just keep going down. \u00a0Most of the elevation drop happens in this leg of the trail.<\/p>\n \u00a0We’re following along the edge of various cliffs. \u00a0One wrong step and you’re off into the canyon forever.<\/p>\n \u00a0Hey! \u00a0There’s mules down there! \u00a0That’s our final point for today – Cedar Ridge.<\/p>\n \u00a0Gotta wonder how well that tree is anchored.<\/p>\n \u00a0The trails are pretty well kept. \u00a0I like the brace of rebar to hold things.<\/p>\n \u00a0And we’re here. \u00a0I’m super excited to see the mules. \u00a0I know the guys here probably think I’m just another silly tourist, but this was one of my favorite parts of the hike.<\/p>\n \u00a0They’re all tied together, in a long string. \u00a0And pretty well trained. \u00a0The guys at the lead gave a whistle and a shout and the mules followed along without balking. \u00a0I wonder if they’ve got the easier job – carrying stuff instead of riders. \u00a0I particularly liked this big guy in the back – he’s stocky and looks like he might have a good mind between those ears.<\/p>\n \u00a0Mule train!<\/p>\n \u00a0Off and up and away they go.<\/p>\n \u00a0Let’s see what sight Cedar Ridge can give us.<\/p>\n \u00a0JA looks out. \u00a0The colors are fantastic here. \u00a0I love the red dirt. \u00a0I’m not sure where Skeleton Point (the next look out on the trail, which we sadly will not see this trip) but it’s out of view for us.<\/p>\n \u00a0You can see where the trail wraps around that formation. \u00a0I really want to go…but it’s hot and we encountered a some\u00a0of folks who clearly did not prep for the hike. \u00a0We don’t want to be among them.<\/p>\n \u00a0The view was great. \u00a0We eventually gave it up to some other hikers who came behind us and set off to find a spot to take a break, eat a snack, and prepare for the hike up.<\/p>\n \u00a0Lots of shade there. \u00a0Perfect.<\/p>\n \u00a0JA gets a visitor while we rest. \u00a0We had chex mix with us and clearly this guy has been fed by people. \u00a0Nope, we didn’t share.<\/p>\n Across the canyon from us is a pretty large-looking cave. \u00a0Maybe one of these days…<\/p>\n Back to Grand Canyon Day 1 Part 2<\/a> ::: On to Grand Canyon Day 2 Part 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" July 23, 2016 Today we plan on hiking one of the trails down into the canyon. \u00a0Not completely down into the canyon – we’ve been warned very thoroughly about going too far in. \u00a0Most of the warnings involve info about temperatures and a lack of water, that sure, the going down is easy, but the coming up is steep and should not be attempted in the afternoon. \u00a0You need at least a liter of water per hour you expect to…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n