The recent closing of the lodges in Grand Canyon National Park brought to mind an interesting visit I had during my adventure travels. It was 1986 when my oldest son, Eric, and I were flying across the United States in our Cessna 182.
We landed at Grand Canyon National Park airport and camped overnight in the park’s campground. We planned a two day exploration of the National Park. The first day we hiked Bright Angel trail which extends from the canyon rim to the Colorado River down below. It’s a descent of 6,850 feet and hikers are advised it would not be possible to make the round trip down and back in one day. The trail in addition to its length, is narrow, only three or four feet in width and passing mule teams make it a hazardous squeeze.
Our plan was to descend part way and then return on the much more difficult uphill segment. We were hiking in a group of 15 other hikers of various ages and abilities.
One woman in particular kept reprimanding her husband. “Sure you said, lets go on a vacation and I’m thinking Bermuda, Cancun, or Paris. But oh no! Here we are hiking this hateful uphill horror in unbearable oven temperatures.”
A grandfather with his 8-year-old grandson was struggling to keep track of the youngster who was bumping into other hikers as he dashed along the trail. Grandpa said, “When I catch that kid, I’m going to kill him.”
Our day of departure was interesting. I decided to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and fly over the canyon rim on departure down into the canyon. This was timely because a recent collision of a United DC-7 and a TWA Super Constellation, killing all aboard caused to FAA a short time later to prohibit flights over the canyon.
I’ve flown through threatening weather, violent thunderstorms and icing conditions but nothing was as stressful as reducing the throttle and slipping below the rim of the Grand Canyon. My engine never sounded so rough. What about Carburetor ice or the hundred other things that could cause an engine problem. An emergency landing in the canyon is simply not possible.
Eric on the other hand had no sense of fear. “Look at that mule team, Dad. They’re waving to us. Can you go lower?” “No way, Eric. We’re out of here. Whew!”