Over Thanksgiving week 2010, Nikki Stein hiked the Grand Canyon, hiking through ice/snow near the rim and spending three amazing nights at the bottom. This project entailed over a year of advanced planning (everything is a project!). This file is 11 highlight slides.

1. Pre-hike – wintry conditions at the top
These are the historic cabins at Bright Angel Lodge, on the Grand Canyon
South Rim. Very cozy and conveniently close to the trailhead. The day
before we hiked down into the Canyon, we got a dusting of snow! It was
only November 19.

2. Starting the hike down
Here we are – in multiple layers for warmth and excited to be starting our
adventure! It was a brisk 17 degrees at 7:30 in the morning. Warm indoor
accommodations - and dinner - were a full vertical mile and 12.5 miles of
trail away.

3. Nikki on the trail
This shows the wintry conditions on the trail. We were well equipped for
trail conditions, with hiking poles and Stabilicers on our boots for traction.
Stabilicers are like studded snow tires for your boots.

4. On the trail
We met a ranger coming up as we were heading down. I love this photo!
Contrary to how difficult the trail looks, we very much relished our time
on the trail, stopping often to take in the views and enjoy the beauty of
the Canyon. We came home with almost 1,000 photos.

5. One and a Half Mile Rest House
This is 1,000 feet down, at the first rest house. Still lots of ice.

6. What a view!
The mules go in almost any conditions. We met this couple later, at
Phantom Ranch. I love how the views open up to the interior of the
Canyon, changing with each turn.

7. Endless switchbacks
Switchbacks in the trail are how it descends great vertical distance while
maintaining enough level surface to hike. This portion shows the Bright
Angel Trail as it approaches the Three Mile Rest House. By this point, we
are below the “ice line”.

8. The Mighty Colorado
This is the Colorado River, as it flows past the Phantom Ranch area.

9. Phantom Ranch
Our cabin at Phantom Ranch was right on Bright Angel Creek (you don’t see
the water, but it’s just to the left of the cabin). These cozy accommodations
must be reserved more than a year in advance.

10. Bright Angel Creek
A vertical mile below the Rim, Bright Angel Creek flows into the Colorado River
near Phantom Ranch. During our three night stay at the bottom, we hiked the
trail along the creek towards the North Rim to enjoy the inner Canyon.

11. Back on top
When we returned to the South Rim, the temperature was an even brisker
3 degrees. This is unseasonably cold for this early in the winter. Note the
new sign, warning of icy trail conditions.
We celebrated the culmination of 40 miles of hiking over 4 days over
Thanksgiving Dinner at Bright Angel Lodge.