Stiglu.com - Journal

Alda and I met up with David and Rebecca for a double date at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We worked up a sweat touring the park on skis and snowshoes then watched a great slide show at the vistors center. Afterwards, we went back to camp and carved out custom snow furniture around the fire pit and fine dined by fire light. On the drive back home on Sunday, we stopped at the Snowshoe Brewing Company in Arnold for lunch and David and Rebecca sampled some house brews.

View the Big Trees Photo Album

I hooked up with eleven others for a five day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon. This is my first hike below the rim and I can tell you, it really is the GRAND Canyon. No wonder it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I found myself looking in awe the whole time. Unfortunately you can’t experience this trip though pictures. The canyon is so huge it doesn’t fit in the viewfinder and 3,000 foot cliffs look like cracks in the ground. The Grand Canyon’s shear size and vast spaces are overwhelming and humbling. There is a sense of deep respect for its timeless existence.

We got a whole different perspective once below the rim. We experienced winter conditions on the rim and just a few miles away at the Colorado River we wore t-shirts and shorts in balmy spring like weather. We were fortunate enough to see several endangered California condors soaring above the canyon. We visited Indian Gardens, Plateau Point, Salt Creek, The Monument, Granite Rapids, and Hermit Rapids. A hike to remember for sure.

View the Grand Canyon Photo Album