Cottonwood Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead (16.7 miles, +4,400/-1,600 feet). It was going to be hard to beat our hike from the previous day, but we were happy that we would be on a different trail (the Bright Angel Trail) and we would be able to see the parts of the North Kaibab Trail that we…

Cottonwood Campground to North Rim Lodge and back (19.1 miles, +4,400/-4,400 feet). Not to build it up too much, but I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that today was the most spectacular day hike I have ever done.  The Grand Canyon is, of course, unique in its beauty.  But the weather we experienced…

South Kaibab Trailhead to Cottonwood Campground (14.2 miles, +1,600/-4,800 feet). We should have known we were in trouble. When we got our wilderness permit application back from the National Park Service, they said they would approve our dates, but only if we filled out a questionnaire about our hiking experience.  As it turns out, any plan…