I've lived in Arizona for over half my life now, and been to the Grand Canyon multiple times, but none of these visits compared to being able to hike to the bottom of it. It was a great start to my spring break; eating Thai food, 60 degree weather, and then being able to experience this beautiful hole in the ground from a completely different perspective. The only part I regret is not being able to spend more time taking in the panoramas that always make me feel so small. We began at the Bright Angel trailhead, near the Grand Canyon Village located at the south rim, and then hiked 4.7 miles down, only stopping briefly to take pictures and munch on trail mix. This led us to the Indian Gardens; a campground tucked away under the shade of leafy foliage. Through the middle ran a tiny stream, where I was quick to remove my hiking shoes and socks to dip my feet into the cool, clear water before getting ready to trek back up. I would've loved to continue further into the center of the canyon, but without any plans to camp overnight, the trip would be exhausting for just one day. As I hiked farther and farther uphill, the Indian Gardens below resembled a small green oasis amongst the endless tans, reds, and bluish shadows of the canyon walls. I'll admit, the climb up was difficult, considering the fact that I'm not in the best shape. But, once at the rim again, it was clear that the whole experience was more than worth the sore muscles I would have to endure over the next couple of days. Now in possession of an annual pass to this national park, I have absolutely no doubt that I'll be returning here again later this year, even if it is just to admire the view.
