Grand Canyon rim-to-rim backpacking trip ~ Day 2, Bright Angel Campground, Grand Canyon, Arizona

We continued past Phantom Ranch to Bright Angel Campground to find a campsite, drop our packs (did I mention they weighed 30-35# for Suzanne and 37-42# for Brad, depending on how much water we were carrying?) So as I said before, it was 10:30 when we arrived, and it was already hot.

The campground is along the Bright Angel Creek, with half of the sites on the creek (we were lucky to get the last one) and half just on the other side of the narrow trail to the Colorado River.

So now’s a good time to talk about two things you’ll see at every campsite under the rim – the high poles to hang your backpacks (so the rodents, snakes, and scorpions don’t get in them) and old ammunition boxes to store all food, toiletries, etc…. – anything with an odor that will attract a squirrel. In fact, we got a written warning/citation because we left our water bladders out – so they’re pretty serious about stuff. (We got a similar warning in Glacier National Park for leaving water out – looks like we’re becoming chronic criminals in our national parks! :) )

For the rest of the afternoon, we hung out at the campsite soaking (mostly our feet) in the creek, eating lunch, chatting with fellow hikers, and exploring Phantom Ranch - mostly by hanging out in their canteen, enjoying the “air conditioning". More on that tomorrow!