As you descend into the Grand Canyon it overwhelms you, overpowers you, and engulfs you. To call it grand is an expressive understatement. The magnificence of the canyon cannot be entirely described to the uninitiated. To know it, to grasp it, one must go there and descend into it. One cannot begin to fathom the uniqueness of the canyon just from viewing it from its many vistas.

As I took my last step to the top of the Bright Angel Trail I was thoroughly exhausted, filthy, with shredded feet, scrapes and cuts........... and a grin that wrapped from one ear to the other. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. El and I definitely had a feeling of accomplishment. We were veterans of the inner canyon. Five million people visit the canyon each year with less than 1% that would descend below the rim; an even a smaller fraction would journey to the bottom and venture out across its plateaus. The people that I met along its trails made this adventure that more memorable. The rangers, well, they are truly a unique breed. I tip my hat to them. Listen to them. They will help make your trip that much more enjoyable. The other hikers that we met, especially the group we made trek out with, were fantastic. I would recommend this grand adventure to anyone. And if you should go, even for a few hours, take a step below the rim, let it tower above you, the memory will stay with you forever.