The start of one of the most amazing and exhilarating experiences of my life! After having had to postpone my trip once because of flight cancellations, I was finally heading down into the Grand Canyon to spend two nights camping below the rim (both nights at Indian Garden, as there was no availability at Bright Angel down at the river).

Here, I’m on the South Kaibab Trail in between the aptly-named Ooh-Ahh Point and Cedar Ridge – the trail to adventure and the vast expanse of the canyon laid out before me. The day’s hiking would take me down the South Kaibab Trail to The Tipoff, and then west over the shadeless Tonto Trail to my camp at Indian Garden. Distance-wise, it’s just 9.6 miles, but over 3,300 feet of elevation and the heat of the day make this a very strenuous hike. I finished at noon and temperatures were already reaching 100°F and I was exhausted. Still, view like this make it all worthwhile!

Camera: iPhone 13 Max Pro
Lens: Back triple camera
Exposure: ISO 50, 1/2457 sec at ƒ/1.5