South Kaibab and setting sun

It has been an interesting growth and thought shifting, hiking these heights with the kids.  The trail's edges now fall into afe or dangerous just as they always have but the definitions of safe and dangerous have changed.  Safe now means that if they fall it will only mean a broken limb or two, with dangerous meaning so much worse.  The trails range from 20 to 36 inches across so there is plenty of room but the heights are dizzying.  It is also rough terrain and we are there to look at the sights but it is a challenge to both look at walk at the same time and it is obviously a great temptation to do both.  The sound of a sliding chaco on dusty sands, ramps up the parental adrenaline as a kids' heel rather than a toe impacts the trail first.  We were on the trail by about 7 am to hike in the shaded canyon down to Cedar Ridge along the South Kaibab trail.  It is about 3 mile hike and Cedar Ridge is the cut off for day hiking in the summer, even with out excessive heat warnings.  The trail has over a 1000 feet of elevation change and spectacular views along the switch backs.  Prickly pear and century plant (agave americana) were blooming along the cliff faces in beautiful yellows and pinks that added to the color of the whole canyon already dressed in oranges, umbers and ochers.  We stopped at Ooh-Aah Point for a cookie break and to just take in the views.   Merrick and Ella are fighting colds which was a benefit along the mule-appled trail and its earthy aroma.  Heading up the trail we could feel the elevation changes with the heavy breathing but we made great time in our ascent and the whole hike was only a little over three hours.  It was time for stout breakfast but none was to be found so we headed into town for a Mexican lunch, a nap and some time at the pool to rehydrate and recharge.  Rested and ready we hiked from Pipe Creek Vista along the Rim Trail to catch the sunset .  It was gorgeous and as the sun dropped below a cloud into a narrow opening between the cloud head and the canyon rim, the sun appeared to fill the canyon with purple hues in a wave of color.  The return trip in the last light of the day along the Rim trail also gave us glimpses of a mule deer walking among the ponderosa pines.  A sweet smelling tree the combined with the juniper and the dryness of the trails creates an aroma therapy that could never be canned.