In October 2019, I undertook a huge backpacking trip in the wilderness of the Grand Canyon.  Here are the pictures from that trip and also a memoir that I wrote while still fresh from the experience.  Enjoy!

It Takes A Community to Hike a Jen - A Memoir

 

 

Me on the bridge over the Colorado River on our early morning drive to the trailhead

Me & G on the bridge over the Colorado River on our early morning drive to the trailhead on Day 1

 

The Mighty Colorado River

The Mighty Colorado River

 

Off we go into the wilderness (photo by A.)

Off we go into the wilderness (Photo by A.)

 

View from our pack rest spot on the Esplanade on Day 1

View from our pack rest spot on the Esplanade on Day 1

 

 Me and P. on our pack rest on Day 1

Me and P. on our pack rest on Day 1

 

Wind and water create amazing things

Wind and water create amazing things

 

 Our camp on Day 1

 Our camp on Day 1

 

Repping Moosejaw at camp Day 1

Repping Moosejaw at camp Day 1

 

Our amazing group with an amazing backdrop (Pic by A.)

Our amazing group with an amazing backdrop (Pic by A.)

 

Are we having fun yet?  YES!  (Photo by A.)

Are we having fun yet?  YES!  (Photo by A.)

 

The best rest stops ever

The best rest stops ever

 

Gorgeous views

Gorgeous views

 

Typical daily canyon floor view

Typical daily canyon floor view

 

More canyon floor views

More canyon floor views

 

Breathtaking scenery

Breathtaking scenery

 

Meditating in a massive energy setting

Meditating in a massive energy setting (Photo by G.)

 

Meditating in a massive energy setting 2

Meditating in a massive energy setting 2 (Photo by G.)

 

Side hike to Whispering Falls

Side hike to Whispering Falls

 

Lower Whispering Falls

Lower Whispering Falls

 

Lower Whispering Falls 2

Lower Whispering Falls 2

 

Sky view at Whispering Falls

Sky view at Whispering Falls

 

Whispering Falls

Whispering Falls

 

S. halfway up the canyon wall

S. halfway up the canyon wall

 

Slightly blurry photo of a fossil (they were everywhere!)

Slightly blurry photo of a fossil (they were everywhere!)

 

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek

 

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 2

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 2

 

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 3

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 3

 

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 4

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 4

 

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 5

Day trip to The Slots along Kanab Creek 5

 

Along Kanab Creek

Along Kanab Creek

 

More canyon awesomeness

More canyon awesomeness

 

More canyon awesomeness 2

More canyon awesomeness 2

 

Our bivvie style tents

Our bivvie style tents

 

My emotional support kitty

My emotional support kitty

 

Showerbath Springs

Showerbath Springs

 

Our group again (Photo by A.)

Our group again (Photo by A.)

 

Final morning together (Photo by A.)

Final morning together (Photo by A.)

 

Last day - hiking out

Last day - hiking out