2003-10-17,18 The Journey 2003-10-18,24 Creel 2003-10-19 Rock Climbing 2003-10-20 Valley of the Monks 2003-10-21 Copper Canyon 1 2003-10-22 Copper Canyon 2 2003-10-23 Copper Canyon 3

Copper Canyon, Day 3 (Thursday, 10/23/2003)

We had descended 4000 feet during the past two days, and in Copper Canyon, what goes down must go up-- all the way up. It was this day's hike that brought back into focus the fact that the Copper Canyon system is like a mountain range in reverse, and we summitted that "mountain" over a distance of only 6 or 7 trail miles, a slightly greater rate of ascent than the Barr Trail on Pike's Peak or the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon (and much more difficult than either.) The trail played some cruel tricks on our exhausted bodies and minds, as it several times opened onto a terrace which we thought was the rim, only to discover another terrace above it. Then upon finally reaching the rim, we could see our destination-- the Hotel Divisidero Barrancas-- peering invitingly over the canyon wall but still miles away. It was something like a Greek vision of Hades but with better scenery.

But after a hike along the rim, over a trail which at times got a bit too close to the cliff's edge for my tastes, we arrived at the hotel, doffed our packs, and enjoyed a refreshing beverage or two while we waited for our muscles to seize up.

I don't mean to dwell on the arduousness of the climb, for I have always felt that the only way to progress as a person is to constantly push the limits of one's comfort zone. Copper Canyon did that for me-- and then some. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I'd like to think I'm a better person for having done it.