In 1997, we undertook our first big hiking excursion: rim to rim in the Grand Canyon, followed by some lighter hiking in Zion.
We started out from the North Rim, and spent our first night at Cottonwood Campgrounds. Shortly after we arrived, we saw a hiker - a competitive cyclist, no less - helicoptered out due to dehydration. The next day, we stopped briefly at the bottom, Phantom Ranch, and hiked halfway up the South Rim to Indian Gardens Campgrounds. The last day, we hiked up . . . and out. We took the shuttle back around to the North Rim just in time to have the best showers of our lives and watch an amazing sunset.
Then we headed over to Zion, which was gorgeous - but unfortunately suffering a dry spell.
As you can see, we made some mistakes - Debra will never again wear new boots on a long hike. We also carried way more than we needed. But we did go back in '98, those pictures are still to come . . .
 starting from the north rim |
 rick on the trail |
 views (you can see the trail at the bottom) |
 debra, lookin' pretty |
 sick hiker helicoptered out |
 Rick at phantom ranch |
 bridge over the muddy colorado |
 views, gray sky |
 view from the south rim |
 debra's blister |
 rick on a cliff's edge |
 sunset from the north rim |
 dry falls at Zion |
 rick . . . on another cliff's edge |
 view through zion's valley |
 trail to angel's landing |
 view from angel's landing |
