1.5 Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail – Grand Canyon National Park

I only hiked the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim down and back for one day. I found it very impressive and can recommend it. Many people do it on horseback or on foot and this part is therefore very crowded. Unfortunately I didn't have time and couldn't go deeper into the Grand Canyon because I had a timed entry ticket for Angels Landing for the next day. I'll have to do that...

This year's vacation was more of a road trip along part of Route 66, but still allowed time for some hikes on marked trails. My first hike in the USA begins in Grand Canyon Village, which is one of the census-designated places in Coconino County. These are politically dependent areas that can be distinguished from their surroundings based on demographic characteristics. Right from the beginning, from the parking lot, I get a sense of the vastness of the Grand Canyon, which leaves me in awe. Next to the parking lot is the "Lookout Studio," designed by Mary Colter in 1914. Colter was a chain-smoking perfectionist and one of the few female architects to work in harsh conditions. Among other things, she designed five building complexes in the Grand Canyon. My route led me down the canyon, passing through several small tunnels. I took a short break at the 1.5-mile rest stop. The beautiful views and wildlife sightings made the strenuous hike back up to the parking lot, where my first hike in the USA ended, worthwhile. For background music, you can listen to the track "Bright Angel" by Paul Winter from the album Canyon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWn_c8Tyq7k

The Bright Angel Trail, a must-do in the Grand Canyon. We walked the first stage and it was a real experience to hike directly between the majestic rock walls and to capture the enormous dimensions of them from below. The hiking trail with its changing sandy soil from brown to rusty red, the shared experience with many other hikers of many nationalities and constitutions with always a friendly greeting makes it a truly collective experience. I couldn't repeat the absolute hike on my first trip to the USA in 1995 down to Phantom Ranch, but this little stage was also beautiful. A thunderstorm caught us with our high boots: suddenly bright lightning right next to us and the thunder in the canyon was sooooo powerful. Take enough water with you, you can fill up at least at the 1.5 mile stop. Have fun with it 🙋🏼‍♀️