Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - Flagstaff, Arizona
Later, Bob stopped at the backcountry permit office and took Jeff off the permit. He purchased an animal proof bag made of metal mesh. Rodents and squirrels w ill eat anything they can reach. They cannot bite through the metal mesh. The bag needs to be hung from a tree or left outside the tent. If they smell any food, they will eat through the tent to get to the food. Bob talked to the ranger and learned that this route is a popular hike and he should meet other hikers on the trail. Water is good at Hermit's Creek and less so at Monument Creek. The only major problem with Hermit's Trail is part of the trail is covered with landslide material and has covered the trail. Bob will have to locate the trail once he is past the debris.Tomorrow, we will break camp and take the camper to the Grand Canyon Village campground. We should be set up shortly after noon. We found out that ravens are pecking at the vinyl sewer lines from the trailers to the sewer connection and causing leaks. Most people remove the line at night and reconnect in the morning. Interesting! Stay away from ravens with dirty looking beaks! We want to get to the campground early, since the drive to the canyon is very windy in the afternoon. The temperatures have been in the low 80's on the rim, with very low humidity. The high temps for the canyon have been about 107°F and lows between 80°F and 70°F. When Bob hiked to Phantom Ranch several years ago the high was 120°F and the low was 80°F. In order to sleep, he had to soak in the Bright Angle Creek and head to bed in his tent. It was the only way to cool down in order to go to sleep.
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