Day 9

April 11, 2013

Phantom Ranch to South Rim via South Kaibab Trail

 


Today's route stats: 

    Distance:  6.7 miles

    Elevation Gain:  4780 feet

    Elevation Loss:  0 feet

I set my alarm on my iPhone for 4:15.  This gave me enough time to get a few things packed up before heading off for the 5 am breakfast.  The Phantom Ranch breakfasts are also wonderful:  Eggs, bacon, pancakes, peaches, orange juice, and coffee.  All you can eat.

When I got back to our campsite, my partners were finishing up breakfast.  We all finished packing up about the same time.  I filled 3 quarts with water and started hiking with Ben, a little behind the others.  Bert and Jim had a late afternoon flight out of Flagstaff, so they were in a rush to get out fast.  I had no reason to rush.  It was now about 6:15.

Switchbacks on the South Kaibab Trail.

I finally reached the rim at 12:30 pm, after hiking 6 hours and 15 minutes.  Not a very fast time.  I took the shuttle bus to the visitor's center where Marcey and Ben were waiting for me.  The others had already left.  Marcey drove Ben and I back to the Flagstaff airport where my car was parked.  Ben and I drove to Tempe.  I dropped Ben off at his hotel (he had an early morning flight), then I drove to my motel.  After cleaning up, I met my daughter, Brianna, for dinner.  She is a freshman at Arizona State.  I headed back to Boulder the next afternoon.

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