Clear Creek 2012

The best season to backpack the Grand Canyon is in the winter. In the spring and fall, there are so many people trying to hike that it is very difficult to get a permit. The summer is really hot and permits are still difficult to get because of all the European visitors. In winter, you can get a permit to any area. Snow and ice might be found at the South Rim at an elevation of 6600 feet, but temperatures are pleasant down in the canyon along the Colorado River at 2400 feet. The key to a good winter trip is to time your hike to coincide with a good weather forecast.

In mid-February, 2012, Ron Bartell and Christine Mitchell joined Rena and me for a 6-day Grand Canyon hike. This is the third time that Rena and I have done a winter trip. The destination was Clear Creek. Our itinerary was as follows:
Day 1 - Hike down the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim and spend the night in the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch (10.3 miles and 4,380 feet elevation loss).
Day 2 - Hike to Clear Creek and camp.(9.1 miles)
Day 3 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 4 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 5 - Retrace our steps back to Phantom Ranch and spend another night at the Bright Angel Campground (9.1 miles).
Day 6 - Hike back to the South Rim via an alternate route, the shorter and steeper South Kaibab Trail (7.4 miles and 4,660 feet elevation gain)

The trip went as planned except that Christine became ill on the way down. She and Ron decided to spend the first night at Indian Gardens Campground, about half way down. The plan was that they would possibly catch up with us later when she recovered. But it took her 3 nights to feel better. They eventually returned to the South Rim and we met them after we hiked out. Good thing we brought 2 stoves on this outing.

Rena and I had two really nice dayhikes at Clear Creek. We explored the East Fork of Clear Creek one day and then hiked north in the direction of Chevaya Falls the second. These falls are the highest in the canyon when they flow in the spring. At this time of year they are dry. We saw Indian ruins and petroglyphs. The weather was good the entire time. On Day 6, as we climbed up the South Kaibab Trail, we met Ron who had come part way down to meet us. He had done day hikes from Indian Gardens while Christine was recuperating.

Another backpack in the Grand Canyon is being planned for next year.

View of the canyon from the South Rim the afternoon before our hike.
Another view from the South Rim the day before.
Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim
Day 1 - Rich, Rena, Ron, and Christine ready to hike down to Phantom Ranch. Yesterdays snow storm left a thin layer of snow on the ice trail which improved the footing.
This map shows Grand Canyon Village, Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, and Clear Creek Trail. We started at Grand Canyon Village, and our final destination was the little red circle at the upper right hand part of the map, next to Clear Creek.
Day 1 - Snow covers the trail for the first 2,000 feet of the descent. Many people use a special crampon that looks like a wire chain that you use for automobile tires. Instep crampons also work. Because of the fresh snow, we could get along without them.
Day 1 - But Christine is not feeling well. We change our plans. She and Ron stop at the Indian Gardens camping area and will spend the night here. If Christine feels better tomorrow, we will meet up later,
Day 1 - It is near sundown when Rena and I reach to bottom of the canyon.
Day 1 - There are 2 bridges that cross the Colorado River. This is the Silver Bridge which is for foot traffic only. The Black Bridge is further up stream and accommodates mules also.
Day 1 - Only 1/4 mile to go.
Day 2 - Morning at Bright Angel Campground
Sign for historic Phantom Ranch
Day 2 - We hike east along the North side of the Colorado River and can see Black Bridge below. The trail visible on the opposite side is the South Kaibab Trail.
Day 2 - The inner gorge of the Colorado River
Day 2 - Vegetation along the Clear Creek Trail
Day 2 - Hiking the Clear Creek Trail
Day 3 - Hiking from camp to the confluence with the East Fork of Clear Creek which begins about 1/2 mile downstream from camp.
Day 3 - Hiking in the East Fork of Clear Creek. Rich hiked up the south side for a short distance looking for a route to the ridge above
Day 3 - View of Cape Royal from our turn-around point in the East Fork of Clear Creek.
Day 3 - Small alcove near our turn-around point.
Day 3 - We found an Agave Pit under the alcove.
Day 3 - Hiking back toward camp.
Day 4 - We hiked up canyon from our campsite today. Not too far from camp, we found some petroglyphs behind a big boulder at the South end of the huge rockpile just before reaching Obi Canyon
Day 4 - Metates at junction where left fork goes to Cheyava Falls.
Day 4 - This alcove contained some small ruins at the junction where left fork goes to Cheyava Falls
Day 4 - Evening at our Clear Creek Camp
Day 5 - Morning at our Clear Creek Camp
Day 5 - Hiking back to Phantom Ranch
Day 5 - Hiking back to Phantom Ranch
Day 5 - Hiking back to Phantom Ranch. It is a long climb up when we leave Clear Creek.
Day 5 - Hiking back to Phantom Ranch
Day 5 - Looking down at Phantom Ranch from Clear Creek Trail
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. There is a descriptive sign by the Black Bridge.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. The Black Bridge.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. The Black Bridge.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. The Black Bridge.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Pack Train coming down.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Pack Train coming down.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Pack Train crossing the Black Bridge.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Riders going up.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Riders going up.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. The Colorado River is far below.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail.
Day 6 - Hiking back to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail. Ron has hiked down to meet us.
Day 6 - The trail to the South Rim via the South Kaibab Trail.