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| Sunrise over the Grand Canýon |
Today we got up early, saw the sunrise and then we hiked down the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. Not all the way down, but 1000 meters in altitude down. The track went from snow covered step slopes to the Indian Gardens, a little oasis in the dessert with tall trees and a little creek. Further we went to Plateau Point, which offers a breathtaking view of the rivergorge where the Colorado River runs another 400 further down.
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| The gorge with the Colorado River |
Hiking in the Grand Canyon is very different to mountain hiking, because first it goes down and it is very important to have enough reserves of water, food and strengh to get back up again. Our hike was finally 20 km long, it took us 7 hours and at the end, we were glad to be up again. Only by walking or hiking through the canyon it becomes possible to feel the size of this place. We also read, that every year several people die here, mainly because they carry not enough water and underestimate the distances. In summertime it gets extremly hot in the canyon, almost no shade to hide and then it becomes a question of life and dead to be well prepared. Today the heat was not a problem, but still it was arduous undertaking.
But, other people do even more! We met a couple who had just hiked and camped 6 days in the Canyon. And, they we going toward 70 years of age!
The National Parks are really one of the best things the US have. The parks are well organized and very good information is given. Especially we admired the guys looking after the path going into the Canyon. That is tough work, at some places they have to ride two hours on mules to get to their working place.
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| Way down on Plateau Point |
In the evening we drove back to Tusayan and found again a descent hotel there.
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| Indian Garden |
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