Here we are, early in the morning, wearing our yellow Mule Rider slickers, a much needed windbreaker when we started off from the rim. L to R: Diana, Birdie, Sandi, and me.
Justin, ordinarily a mule supply train wrangler, was filling in as a guide today. He rode behind me at the end of the line and interpreted everything the guide, Alicia, in front was saying, because I couldn't hear her. Justin is only 18 years old, and started working here about 4 months ago on his 18th birthday. He did a wonderful job, and will make a great guide.
And we are off down the Bright Angel Trail.
That's Birdie in front of me. There are 10 riders in all, plus the two guides.
When we stop to rest the mules, we are instructed to all turn to face the canyon. (The mules already know that.) This first stop was to receive more instructions and the guides double check all the saddle cinches. You can see Birdie, Sandi, and Diana.
One of the first of many switchbacks.
Through a short tunnel.
This is my mule, Penelope, and the view below us.
It was a beautiful morning and it got warmer quickly as we descended below the rim.
The guide pointed out some petroglyphs left by the Anasazi, ancient Pueblan Indians who lived in the canyon.
We were looking back up at the trailhead where we started. Notice that most of us have shed the yellow jackets.
The green area of trees below in the shadow is called Indian Gardens. It is where we will have lunch. It is also often an overnight rest area for hikers. Then the trail descends down the crack/gorge you see beyond the trees.
Diana (in front), Sandi and Birdie at a switchback.
I got Sandi's attention for this photo.
Another rest stop for the mules, and another gorgeous view.
A view of the trail leading down to Indian Gardens.
Birdie is using her "motivator" (short whip) to get her mule to close the gap with the one in front. I had to use my motivator on poor short-legged Penelope a lot.
Diana and Sandi
The switchbacks below.
Down there!
The mules know the way....
We were taught to lean back going downhill, and lean forward going uphill to help our mule.
I think we all felt as giddy as Diana looks in this photo. It was an amazing experience.
We saw deer as we approached Indian Gardens.
A creek runs through here, and thus the trees and other plant life are abundant here. This was the Anasazi summer home.
Lunch break, and first opportunity to get off the mule and stretch. The first few minutes we walked like penguins.
Time to shed more layers of clothing.
That's Penelope on the end, holding my jacket.
Lunch was more than we could eat, so our mules got the apples.
That rock shelter was used as a dark room for developing photos taken in the canyon by the Kolb Brothers photographers during the early 1900s.
Starting down the gorge.
The gorge was formed by the creek below.
The guide points out an Anasazi granary, or food storage area built into the cliff wall.
Alicia, the guide who led us down. She had a pretty mule.
Crossing the creek...
The creek continues to that pool on the right of Penelope's ear, and then plunges over a cliff to the canyon below. Our trail follows a different route, lol.
Hikers were cooling off in the pool. You can just see top of the waterfall at the left.
We have a more gradual descent via another series of switchbacks.
See them?
Just another awesome view.
The guide says that rock formation in the foreground is called "Elvis." Do you see his head?
Yes we are going down there.
Old emergency phone lines built in the 1930s.
Looking back at where the Indian Gardens Creek comes out after the waterfall.
The confluence of Indian Garden Creek and Pipeline Creek, which flow into the Colorado River below.
Following the creek.
Yay! We can see the Colorado River!
But don't get too excited, because our destination, Phantom Ranch, is still a ways away.
Where Pipeline Creek flows into the Colorado River.
From here we must follow the River Trail to the bridge over to Phantom Ranch on the other side.
Views from the River Trail.
We are climbing high above the river.
It's not as scary as it looks. By now, we have learned to trust our mules.
A bridge! Alas, it's not the mule bridge. We, that are so ready to get off our mules, have to pass that one by.
Want to ride a little with us on the River Trail? Click on the video.
Just keep on motivating those mules, and we will get there.
That is Bright Angel Creek below where it empties into the Colorado. Phantom Ranch is along that creek.
We can see some of the buildings at Phantom Ranch.
There! That's our bridge below!
We have to go down some switchbacks and through that tunnel to get there.
Crossing the bridge.
Want to cross it with us? Click on the video.
The flag is at the Ranger Station at Phantom Ranch.
We did it!
After a short orientation we were sent to our cabins to freshen up and relax until dinner. This is our cabin, #4.
This is the canteen where we had our meals.
Dinner our first night was steak, baked potatoes and vegetables and chocolate cake for dessert.
We were at Phantom Ranch for two nights. The next post will be about what we did during our full day there.
