Grand Canyon Mule Trip - My View

[monik7]

Here are a few pics I took on our great adventure. We were told only 1% of all the people who visit Grand Canyon reach the bottom of the canyon. So we are sure in quite an elite group.

My version of the sunset 10/31/16, the night before we left.


This is blurry, but my first pic as we headed down the trail.


Beautiful and a long way down. The dark green line of trees on the plateau is Indian Garden where we stopped for lunch.


My best pal "Hopi." She really knew what she was doing. She needed no "motivation" which the wrangler gave to us in the form of a whip. The whips aren't meant to really hurt the mules, just let them know more forcefully what they should or should not be doing. Hopi already knew and needed no enforcement from me. She was a treasure.


Working our way down. That's Diana in front of Hopi. Birdie and Liz were behind us.


What the force of water can produce.


A view of the Colorado River and the suspension bridge we were to cross to get to the north side.


A view of the bridge from river level.


Here we all are on the steps of the canteen/mercantile. The meals we had were fabulous. Sack lunch and steak dinner the first day; orange juice, scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, peaches, and coffee for breakfast, sack lunch and stew for dinner the second day; same breakfast the third day. We DID NOT go hungry. Left to right: Liz, Diana (mtngal), Birdie, and me.


View of our cabin at Phantom Ranch. Liz and Birdie got the bottom level. Diana and I took the top.


View of Phantom Ranch from our cabin door.


Simon our Navajo wrangler for the trip back up on the third day.


Here we go! Hopi and I were right behind Simon on the way up.


A rest stop along the way up. We made a total of about 25 stops to let the mules rest. Left to right: a couple from Hawaii, Diana, Birdie, Liz, and me.


Simon


Liz (black hat), Birdie (purple) and Diana (tan) coming up the trail.


Switchbacks we had just negotiated on the trail up.


Working our way up. We'll be on top soon Hopi.


Long way down. We were all so thankful that the mules knew what they were doing and delivered us safely.


My Master Mule Skinner Certificate


I'm so happy I had the opportunity to take such a memorable trip with three amazing ladies.
Sandi

[Liz]

Great post, Sandi, thanks.

[SoCalGalcas]

Wonderful! Thank you Sandi! Lyn

[gypsyrose1126]

WOW what a trip! Love the photos and narration, thanks -- how sore did your butts get?

[monik7]

WOW what a trip! Love the photos and narration, thanks -- how sore did your butts get?

I know mine sure was sore and still is a little today, a week after we started out.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

It looks like you brought some things in the saddle bags. Did they have a packing list? And most important, did they have showers at the bottom???

This is something I would like to do but have always really been hesitant. No changing your mind halfway down.

[Bethers]

Thanks, Sandi. I was hoping for your view, too. Wonderful pics and narrative.

[monik7]

It looks like you brought some things in the saddle bags. Did they have a packing list? And most important, did they have showers at the bottom???

This is something I would like to do but have always really been hesitant. No changing your mind halfway down.

We were not told what to bring. We were each given two plastic bags (about the size of a 10 lb. bag of ice) since we were there two nights. Yes, there were showers at Phantom Ranch and absolutely no change of mind for me. It's one of the most memorable things I've done in my lifetime. Definitely a check off the bucket list and as my certificate says, something to boast about forever.
Sandi

[avalen]

What an awesome adventure, thanks for sharing

[Liz]

No turning around for me either, no matter how much it hurt. I had been riding regularly all year in preparation, and purchased a pair of "Saddlebums," padded riding pants that helped the butt.

[Rufflesgurl]

Great memory story and pictures Sandi - thank you! How could you take pictures while riding a mule up and down the Grand Canyon? Hopi must have been real steady and sure footed. So happy you had a grand time. Hope your butt stops being sore soon.

Oh, how was it crossing that bridge? I've seen it from the top.

Linda

[snowball]

really enjoyed the trip love seeing the different views...and what an achievement .
thanks for sharing with us
sheila

[monik7]

Great memory story and pictures Sandi - thank you! How could you take pictures while riding a mule up and down the Grand Canyon? Hopi must have been real steady and sure footed. So happy you had a grand time. Hope your butt stops being sore soon.

Oh, how was it crossing that bridge? I've seen it from the top.

Linda

I had my camera hanging around my neck. I've ridden much of my life so felt confident in Hopi and in being able to continue riding while looking away from the trail and taking pictures. All the mules were amazing. Much of the time the trail was rock, not soft dirt or sand. The mules are so sure-footed they can negotiate on the rock without slipping. Sometimes they had to take steps up or down that were up to 18" higher or lower. They just took everything in stride. I didn't know much about mules before, but I now have the greatest respect for them. I wish I could have brought Hopi home with me.

While the bridge is called a "suspension bridge," it was solid and didn't sway as I thought it would. The mules have crossed so many times and they view it like any other trail. I took a video as we crossed it. I'm just so pumped up about this experience and would recommend it to everyone. You don't have to know how to ride. The couple from Hawaii were a good example. It was obvious they had little or no riding experience and they made it fine.
Sandi

[chalet05]

I've been waiting for your post!! Fantastic!

[mtngal]

Great post Sandi! (I had lunch with riding buddy today, it was so fun to relive the trip in the telling).