Rosster O'Geezers     Equipment List     Itinerary    Photo Gallery

They said it couldn't be done, folks-- and they were right!  Getting Ross to act normal was asking too much.  So instead-- he put together another trek through the Grand Canyon--  and as with all Geezer adventures, it's "by old guys and for old guys."

"The came.  They saw.  They took a nap."

Geezer Trek 2004 was a Grand Canyon hike from the South Rim to North Rim-- 25 miles over three days!  A flight into Las Vegas on Tuesday, followed by a stop at Hoover Dam and on to Flagstaff.

Wednesday was a hike down into Walnut Canyon National Monument, followed by a hike up Lenox Crater (next to Sunset Crater National Monument), a stop at the Painted Desert, the Indian Ruins and then... on to the Grand Canyon!

Thursday Bubbette dropped off the feckless geezers at the Bright Angel Trailhead (VERY early in the morning).  So while Mizaud enjoyed the life of Riley... the guys got to enjoy the Canyon "close up and personal."

How close up and personal?  Day one we hiked Bright Angel to Indian Gardens, then on to the Pipe Springs Resthouse (on the Colorado River at about mile 91).  This was truly the "low point" of our trip, at 2400 feet elevation (see the photo below for the Colorado-- "Too thin to drink, too thick to plow".)  After a nice lunch break (including Geezer Naps), on to Phantom Ranch... lemonade... iced tea... and a foot bath in Bright Angel Creek! (Oh, and more naps.)

Friday was an easier day-- a hike up "the box" towards Cottonwood Campground, with a stop at Ribbon Falls.  The ancients got to camp by lunch (elevation 4200 feet), where much feasting, creek polluting and relaxation abounded.  Yeah.

Saturday morning ("awwww-- do we HAVE to leeeve?) the dudes were up at 3:20 AM, with a "dark" start to beat the heat, even in October.  Up the North Kiabab Trail to Roaring Springs in the dark-- what could be cooler than watching headlamped runners heading down the trail at 5:30 AM?

Breakfast trailside-- ah, that's the life.  Getting to stop next to a 1200-foot dropoff, safe under a ledge, eating bacon, trail mix, meat sticks and granola bars... and knowing you ain't got to carry it on your back any more!  (Burp).  ("Hey, Jason-- you want my cereal bar?)

But finally, to the top of the trail and civilization.  But on the way, the views were unbelievable.  Got to hike around "The Needle", cross a kewl footbridge, even got to hike through Supai Tunnel right before the last water stop before the top (see photo on the right).

We huffed, we puffed... and we made it to the top!  Yep, it only took us 5 hours and 39 minutes, including breakfast stops, water stops, lots of photo stops, and yes, more photo stops.  (Did I mention photo stops?)  (Colby?  Colby?)

It were a good trip with a good crew.  The hiking was great, the jokes were as bad as ever and the insults were fast and furious.

What about previous trips?  Check out Geezer Trek 1999 (North Rim to South) and Geezer Trek 2003 (hiking into Supai Village and white water rafting the Colorado River!)

And what about Geezer Trek 2005?  Glad you asked!  How about Autumn Adventure at Philmont, with some sightseeing to the Taos Pueblo, Santa Fe and Southern Colorado in October 2005?  Better make your reservations now for this one-- Ed "Mad Dog" Rigel's back, and for the first time.... THE CAJUN !!

And as the great Maharaja Guru once said:  "Always carry a litter bag in your car.  Because when it gets full, you can throw it out the window."