So, the first leg of my USA trip is at an end. And what a place to end it.

The Grand Canyon is a mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. While the park doesn't include the entire canyon, it does measure in at a whopping 1,904 square miles in total. And its highest point of elevation is 6,804 feet

Right, factoids out the way, lets get to it. An hour and a half drive from Flagstaff, i arrived at about quarter past nine. Food and drink in my pack, i walked to the trail and...wow!

Thats amazing. And jesus, how big it is. Blown away. After five minutes of taking it in, i began the hike up the south/west rim trail. Figured i can get to the end at about two o'clock: four hours there, four hours back, and back by six 'ish (pick up at half six).

Heres the map.

There are a lot of bends and horseshoes as you can see. Got to my first target and pushed on to a halfway point in the bend. The otherside of the target in the above video is the out cropping on the right in the video below.

That was halfway between Maricopa Point and Powell Point.

As you can see from that video, there are still patches of the river visible. It would be sooo cool to see this Canyon in the wet season when the rivers are at there highest. Just turned off the camera when i heard something!

Thats the way to do it! The footpath is tarmac and fairly level, so its quite a nice walk at the moment. Im sure that will all change.

And lo and behold, the tarmac has come to and end, and now its rocks, sand and snow!

Just reached Hopi Point. The outcrop to the left is Mohave Point. To the right in the foreground is Powell Point and in the background, thats Maricopa Point.

Just coming up to The Abyss. Wonder why its called that?

Ah, now i see!

Yeah, its got to be said, bit nervous about this bit lol!

Well, past that nightmare.And just reached Monument Creek, where the path has changed into a cycle path! Bit of a bugger, walking along a road! Saw this though...

Bi what?!! Bi-cycle what! Is that even a word!! It makes NO sense. One for Andi Dry i believe. I mean seriously, do they just make this crap up!

Says it all, but its nice to be on my own. Destination just around the next few corners. But time for lunch.

Sorted. Final push to Hermits Rest.

Made it!!

Well, its a quarter to two. Within fifteen minutes of ETA, so not bad at all. Quick smoke, cold can of drink, and im back on my way.

First part, back to Monument Creek Vista.

Then onto Mohave Point. Just worth noting at this point, that i am 7000 feet up, so forgive my shortness of breath and the snivels. There was a warning sign in the village about the altitude as it has been known for people to feel nauseous and dizzy. Fortunately, im fit as fuck. Yeah, right! I know. Thats why im out here, to get back into shape.

Then back to Hopi Point.

Time for a rest. Feet are beginning to burn! Not far to go now. Just, need, five,minutes.

Yay. Just turned Maricopa Point and can see homebase. The time is five. I reckon thats about a three quarter hour walk.

Twenty minutes to go.

And im back in the village. That was fecking mental. So glad it wasn't summer. That was, a perfect day. And i have twenty minutes before my pick up. My timing was pretty damned spot on.

Home, shower, get horizontal!

Hoped you enjoyed. There are more vids and photos in my library.

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