My friend at work Kim went to the Grand Canyon last year in 2009. She wanted to go back to hike it and decided to put together a girls trip. She asked all 5 of her walking friends at work, a couple of us were interested but it was just myself and her that could really swing it. Kim also has a friend Jean who has always wanted to do the same thing. Kim called Jean and in turn, Jean contacted, Nancy (friend) and Rita (sister).
We all got together and made it happen. We went through a company called Just Roughin It Adventure Company. They provided a guide, all the equipment and food on the trail. The guide does all the cooking and the setting up of camp. Although the trail was rated easy you needed to train for it and our training did pay off the last day. For training Kim and I would go up 13 flights of stairs twice a day. We would also walk 8 miles once a week carrying backpacks with weight (we got some strange looks and people would ask you going on a hike?). They got used to us at Sedgwick County Park.
We flew to Phoenix and drove to Flagstaff. Our guide picked us up in Flagstaff and dropped us off in Phoenix the last day after hiking. Our trail was the South Kiabab trail (Kiabab means Mountain lying down) and the Bright Angel trail.
We stayed at Phantom Ranch camp ground at the bottom. Hiked 1500 feet and stayed at Indian Garden camp ground the second day, the last day we hiked up 3000 feet to the top. It was difficult but do-able. Our theme song Hurt So Good. I bought Vasque boots and didn’t have a blister one. My hiking gal pals had Merrell’s and Keen. It was beautiful and I would do it again!

I had been to the Grand Canyon before years ago with Randy but we just looked over the edge. Here is a photo.