After my last race, I resigned myself to two weeks off to let my body recover from a year of training. I switched my focus to climbing, however I realized I had a three day weekend with nothing planned. Craving a little adventure, and some exercise I decided to drive to the Grand Canyon and run rim to rim to rim in a day. I think deep down I really want to be an ultrarunner instead of an ironman athlete. However, I really want to qualify for Kona, so will probably try working on qualifying for a few more years before switching... I don't think I could have chosen a better time to run rim to rim to rim. There were few mules, few hikers, cooler weather, the north rim road was open, and water was still turned on at Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Campground and Indian Gardens. I borrowed an ultraaspire trail running pack, from my friend Leslie on Friday and headed out to the Grand Canyon. The drive was long, but entertained myself, listening to some Japanese CDs I checked out from the library. There was a prescribed fire on the North Rim, diminishing the road visibility the last half hour of the drive. Finally, arrived at the trailhead around at 1030pm and crashed in the back of my car.
At 3:40 am I decided to wake up. For breakfast I had a peanutbutter, honey and banana sandwiches and an ensure. Then I stuffed the pack with fuel, water, climbing tape, my phone, waterpurifying pills and chapstick. Finally convinced myself, to leave the comfort of my heated car around 4am. At 8241 feet on the North Rim it was freezing cold 27 degrees. Good thing I had a longsleeve shirt, jacket, hat, gloves, should have brought some tights. For inspiration I wore the shirt of a cancer patient who is an amazing person and ultrarunner.
I loved the sense of freedom! No pacing, no mile markers, just a little explorer in an amazing place. The North Kaibab trail descended steeply down some dirt switchbacks. I focused on holding myself back to save energy for the full day ahead. At one point the switchbacks continued along some massive cliffs, I couldn't wait to see this on the way back in the daylight. I forced a few gus as I descended down the trail. At the Cottonwood Campground (4080 feet) I had a granola bar, and after searching in the dark for some water unsuccessfully. I still had some water in my pack, so I decided to continue on for another 7miles to Bright Anel Campground. The grade was more mild and the canyon narrowed. I loved running along this part of the trail, winding through the canyon alongside a river. I Arrived at the Bright Angel Campground (2480 ft) as the sun was rising.
Some people pointed me to the direction of water, I filled my pack up, and had a mini snickers bar.
I saw some other crazy trail runners headed the opposite direction which was fun. 14 miles completed having dropping about 5,729 feet.
From Bright Angel Campround it is about 9.5miles to the South Rim. I started running again and reached the spectacular colorado river.
After Crossing the silver Bridge, the trail continued along a sandy trail next to the river.
The trail eventually departed the river and meandered through a gully of sculpted sandstone.
Reached the Indian Gardens (3800 ft) and filled up on water. The water was right on the trail. Now for the uphill grind for 4.5miles. I had another snickers bar and continued onward, from Indian Gardens to the rim I beleive I walked most of the way.
The veiws down into the canyon, were a little blurry because of the smoke from the prescribed fire on the North Rim. Below is a picture of the trail on a smokeless day
The upper trail was steep. There were some fun rock arches to hike through. I struggled taking a picture of myself in one of the tunnels and somebody graciously offered to snap a picture. Traveling up to rim I only passed five mules. I also saw some mountain goats.
I finally arrived to the South Rim, 6869ft! The South Rim temperature was perfect! I gulfed down my pb/honey/banana sandwhich enjoying the magnificent panoramic view. I also had a few peices of beef jerkey and a snickers. Unfortunately I lost my visor, somewhere along the trail.
I searched for a place to refill my water, and then looked for the South Kaibab Trail. I should have studied this area on a map beforehand. This was confusing, there were no signs, and being stubborn I didnt ask for directions. After walking a while, I stopped at some building and asked if I had passed the south kaibab trailhead, the lady working told me it was a ways and there was a shuttle that I could take. Then I started breaking down mentally. Maybe I should just take a shuttle, how far is this trail. While walking and thinking things through in my head I ran into a ranger, I asked how far the trail was and she told me 3.5 miles.
Sweet! 3.5 miles much better than 10...Now I had a reasonable number to focus on. The south rim was warm, and my legs, were tired, and my visor was missing. Was I really going to run another 25miles? Yes, no worries I can do this I told myself. For being flat and paved, this section of the trail seemed difficult. Somebody passed me on a bike, and it is the first time since my race 2 weeks ago, I really wanted to bike. Looking at maps afterwards, it looks like I walked about 6.5 miles. I enjoyed the spectacular view points along the rim trail.
After the longest 6 miles, I finally reached the trailhead at 7260 feet. I refilled my water pack, grabbed a gu and headed down the steep switch backs. Once on the trail, my energy rejuvinated! So once again meandered down the grand canyon, on multiple switchbacks. My aches in my legs vanished, as I passed multiple hiking parties. Mentally I was back into my little adventure.
The South Kaibab trail provided a sense of exposure and vastness. Below is a picture of Cedar Ridge on a clear day.
From Ooh Aah Point, the trail continued downward along a rideline to Cedar Ridge. Cedar Ridge is point protruding out of the smoke. The section of the trail was exposed, but not too bad without a visor.
From Cedar Ridge, the trail had a short section without switchbacks, but don't worry that only lasted for a breif amount of time. The trail approached an amazing section next to limestone cliffs. Winding down I finally reached the Colorado River again, and crossed a different bridge (a black suspension bridge). I met a few runners here that I had met earlier in the am heading in the opposite direction. We exchanged greetings, and I continued on the the Bright Angel Campground/Phantom Ranch at 2480 feet. From the South Rim to the Bright Angel Campground via the South Kaibab trail is about 7 miles. At this point, my body was tired, but still had energy. 37 miles down, only 14 miles left. I hoped to reach th North Rim for the sunset. Therefore, took a short break, refilled my water had a gu and started on a slow jog.
From Bright Angel Campground, the trail was slightly uphill, so I was able to jog along the river. I loved running in the narrow canyon, across bridges and took a lot of pictures.
Unfortanately, the trail left this shaded narrow canyon and headed up a sunny dry dirt trail to cottonwood campground. I ran out of water, hiking to the campground. If I ever do this little adventure again I will have to make sure I drink plenty of water at the Bright Angel Campground and make sure that my pack is filled full of water. At the Cottonwood Campground my legs were definitely fatigued. Maybe I should have hiked down the South Kaibab Trail, instead of jogging. In the daylight, it was obvious where the water was to refill my hydration pack. I think from this campground, I walked most of the way up to the North Rim. The trail stayed in the valley and slowly approahed the red cliffs.
The trail continued by a beautiful river, eventhough the canyon was opening up
I loved when the trail reached the red Limestone cliffs. I had to take pictures before the sunset. My back starte bugging me a little from my pack, so I carried the pack in different ways to give my back a break. I pushed through a bunch of little nags from the beginning of the run. Sometimes the nags would come and go. Hopefully, I didn't do any major dammage.
Almost made it to the top before sunset. Ran into a hiker, that went from south rim to the north rim in a day who graciously took a photo. Love the photo because it shows the Johnny shirt.
So from the North Rim to the South Rim I consumed about 4 gus, 2 snickers, 2 granola bars. On the South rim I had some jerky, pb/honey sandwhich, a couple fig newtons, and a snickers. From the South Rim to the North rim I had 2 snickers, 2 granola bars, 4 gus, and some organic energy sport chews. I think I did a good job, fueling. I started getting a little naseau near the end of the day. It would have been nice to have something other than water.
Only 15 minutes to the top of the rim, I found a great spot to watch the end of the sunset. Yay! Ran into some hikers, who took my picture. After watching the sunset from here, it started to be chilly, so I put on my jacket again. I arrived at the North Rim around 7pm. At the top of the rim I talked with the hikers who took my photo as they waited for some others in their hiking group. They were from Saint George. I loved what one of them told me. She said she wanted to live her life so that she could say, "Wow what a ride." What a great way to describe my little adventurous day. They told me about Jacobs Inn.
Jacobs Inn is about 40 miles from the North Rim. I was psyched, real food! And it didn't disappoint! So delicous!!!!! However, after 50 miles I think everything tastes delicious. It was a little pricy, but I was starving. I had the best soup, and crackers as well as a steak, vegetables, and a potato. They had 14 different types of cookies. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie with walnuts. After dinner I sat by a fireplace for a half hour, then decided to look for a camping spot.
Found a free place to camp close by. In the morning went back to Jacob's inn for a few cookies. My whole body was sore. Next time I attempt hiking 50 miles, maybe I will hike a little more, to prepare my legs. My comfortable asics running shoes treated me well with no blisters! My body was tired. Started the beautiful drive home, and decided to take a small detour to Bryce Canyon. What a beautiful place! What a great trip!
