Clear Creek in the Grand Canyon (Feb 09)

A Postcard From The Edge

Once again it's that time of year to get out of town and escape from all the lost people driving around trying to find Parade of Homes. I talked Mike into going back to the Grand Canyon so that we could try a new area for us--the Clear Creek drainage. We would spend four nights and five days hiking over 50 miles and 10,000' of uphill vertical, all while down in the depths among the deepest and oldest rocks in the canyon--the Vishnu schist. The first day we dropped down the Bright Angel trail, crossed the bridge, passed Phantom Ranch, and climbed over 1000' up on the Tonto to spend our first night. The weather had been rainy for weeks, but we lucked out with five days of sun and 60 degree days. However, I forgot my sleeping bag somehow, and ended up having to wear everything I owned in order to stay warm in my tent. I did have a small fleece liner, which helped a little. The first night was 27 degrees, and each night thereafter was warmer by about 6 degrees. We spent two nights in the Clear Creek drainage, allowing us time to explore down and upcreek, seeing various waterfalls and Anasazi ruins. The last night was next to Phantom Ranch, where we were able to eat their stew meal, which was a real treat, before climbing out the South Kaibab trail the last morning.

Cold temps in the low 20s as we began our hike down the Bright Angel with crampons. Snow and ice covered the trail for the first hour.

The black bridge and some of the buildings near Phantom Ranch. We still had to climb over 1000' up on the Tonto below Zoroaster (the pyramid shaped peak).

A view of the Colorado River and the Vishnu schist, as well as the South Rim.

Our first night's camp near Sumner Wash on the Tonto trail, below Zoroaster. Despite the sunny skies, the first night temp was 27, and I had no sleeping bag!

View of the inner gorge while hiking the Tonto toward Clear Creek.

After setting up camp in Clear Creek, we hiked four miles down toward the Colorado. This is the 'sideway's' waterfall, and is the same place Brooke and I hiked up to during our June '06 float trip.

This is as far as Mike dared go out on the ledge next to the waterfall. I ended up down climbing the 15' to get photos from below.

Our next day we hiked up Clear Creek to Ariel Creek. These ruins and grinding tools were along the way.

Abstract photo of Ariel Creek with hardened gravel sides that look like they should break off, because they are only an inch thick, and the water flows underneath. Width of the creek is only 2 feet, to give you some perspective.

Looking back at our Clear Creek camp spot (center and down a little) during our hike out.

I'm ready to get in the sun to hike along the Tonto. The South Kaibab trail goes up the ridgeline to the rim (behind me up to the left).

Colorado River view of the black and silver bridges.

Me near the top on the last day. The sun and clouds cast neat shadows.

Almost to the top of the South Kaibab, with Vishnu Temple above my left shoulder, Wotan's Throne above my right shoulder, and Crystal Creak drainage in the far left edge of the photo.