Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim Backpacking Day3 and 4

This day we went to the Cottonwood campground.

Luckily, the moon was growing during our backpacking so on the last day in the wilderness was the full moon.

From the Cottonwood campground, we saw an amazing view from sunset to moonrise. I thought, “There are not many opportunities in my life to see sunset and moonrise from the same point....it is surreal.” By 6 p.m., the sun was completely below the canyon. However, by 7 p.m., the moon appeared. The moonlight was reflecting on the canyon. It was captivating. I thought it was sexy and beautiful.

For a while we silently stared at the scenery. Because the moon was steadily rising, the view didn’t stay the same even for a moment. That was why it wasn’t at all boring to stare at the canyon for such a long time.

Only a small complaint at this campground..... the restroom. It was not a room but a stall in the wilderness under the moonlight. 

Colorado River

 

We woke up at 5:45 a.m. and started hiking at 7 a.m. We started early because we had planned a big hike this day. We did a day hike, which was 16 miles and 4,200 feet up and 4,200 feet down. The destination was the North Rim, meaning it was an out-and-back hike.

All the way up to the North Rim was uphill. The trail was deep in the canyon. The huge canyon with numerous lines told us the long time for the formation took. Every moment the view changed and I just couldn't stop thinking how huge it was and appreciate the beauty of nature. It was absolutely a wonderland.

 

The North Rim was really remote compared to the South Rim. We only saw a few groups of visitors.

At the South Rim, there were many tourists and even buses were running there. The North Rim was basically closed in November and only day use was allowed. In addition to that, because the North Rim is 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, it was much colder than the South Rim. It was windy, too. The weather made me think that the North Rim was really isolated.

The quietness made the scenery even more cool and unforgiving. We were able to see the mountains behind the South Rim. It was not possible to see beyond the North Rim at the South Rim, because the North Rim is higher than the South.