Our first stop in
Grand Canyon’s North Rim was at the Backcountry Camping Office.
Although the ranger had stepped out of the office (which happened to be a small trailer) we were able to gain some useful knowledge from the information board outside of the trailer.
We learned that the temperature at the bottom of the
Grand Canyon for the day was expected to reach 112°F.
There were also several warnings for people not to start hikes between the hours of 12pm and 4pm due to the extreme danger of dehydration.
After stopping at the visitor center and taking in a few of the scenic viewpoints we decided to start our hike…it was 12:30 pm.
Almost immediately after starting the hike down into the canyon it became obvious to us that in all of the information we had read about the
Grand Canyon, there was one significant warning which had been left out.
Nowhere in any brochure, book, or map about the
Grand Canyon was there mention of the significant danger of vomiting or passing out while hiking due to the immense presence and/or odor of mule poo on the trails.
It wasn’t even until our hike back up that we encountered a pack of these freely-pooing mule’s.
Of course, in stride with our expectations, one mule in particular welcomed us to the trail by leaving behind a fresh sample of his own.
Honestly, I’m not sure when the last time any of you have been here, if ever, but the poo problem is really out of control.
Poo aside, we hiked down to a specific viewpoint, ate lunch and then hiked back up.
The hike proved to be very hot and taxing, and oh yeah…filled with poo. After the hike we drove out to several other viewpoints, however, we noticed our enthusiasm was being beaten down by the heat. Feeling satisfied with our exposure to Grand “Poo” Canyon, we decided to head back towards the Visitor Center hoping to find assistance in meeting a list of 4 demands we had generated. 1) Cold ice cream. 2) Cold beer. 3) Lake to go swimming. 4) Comfortable (and free) place to take a nap. To our surprise the Grand Canyon Lodge was able to meet 3 out of our 4 demands. After eating ice cream and drinking a cold beer we found two large leather couches in the Lodge to take naps. Perhaps it was because we looked so comfortable, or because we smelled so offensive, but either way we managed to nap for over an hour, without any hotel guests or staff bothering us.
After waking up from our naps to find the once crowded room nearly empty, again perhaps due to our odor, we decided to go set up camp and make dinner. Camp was at Marble viewpoint in the Kaibab National Forest, just outside of the Grand Canyon N.P. This free, middle of nowhere campsite was recommended to us by the ranger at the visitor center. Although the site itself was a little frighteningly deep in the forest, the viewpoint offered great views over the canyon and was worth the drive. 
After consuming, over the last two nights, all other dinner options we started heating up all that was left. The first course of the dinner was BIG Beef ravioli, the second was cheeseburger and mac-a-roni, the third was BIG beef rig-a-toni and the last (possibly the most painful) was cheese ravioli…thanks Chef Boyardee!
- Alex
Honestly, I’m not sure when the last time any of you have been here, if ever, but the poo problem is really out of control. Poo aside, we hiked down to a specific viewpoint, ate lunch and then hiked back up.
After consuming, over the last two nights, all other dinner options we started heating up all that was left. The first course of the dinner was BIG Beef ravioli, the second was cheeseburger and mac-a-roni, the third was BIG beef rig-a-toni and the last (possibly the most painful) was cheese ravioli…thanks Chef Boyardee! 
No comments:
Post a Comment