Canyon de Chelly Backpack Trip

April 2008

Canyon de Chelly Backpack Trip Ready to hike into the Canyon - Tom, Rod, Dave, Bob, Tyler, Tim, Gary, Mary, JD, Ryan, Drew, Ian, Bob, Kevin, Bob, Sam, Nico, Ryan, Michael, Travis, James, Karl, Tom, Blake, Garrett, Tim, and Deb

Our trip leader, James

Adam tells us about the Canyon before we hike in.

Gary has a wardrobe malfunction

Garrett and Mary on our first break

The rest of our hike today will be through the bottom of the canyon, and across the stream (many times!)

James takes his shoes off for the first stream crossing

We stop for a lunch break - and a nap for Rod!

This canyon is so photogenic, why are you pointing your cameras at each other?

More stream crossings!

and more!

Some of us decide it is easier to hike barefoot. And Tyler finds it is even easier if you hike without a backpack!

Adam says so no more stream crossings so we put our shoes back on for the last time!

We're happy, we're at camp, oh yeah!!

Time to sit back and relax - not a bad view from camp either!

Bob carried in a queen size mattress -

- and these guys brought in their couch??

Even the leaders get to relax!

Hey Ryan, it's only 4:00 - 6 more hours until bedtime

What's for dinner, Travis? Do you have enough in there for all of us?

Somebody Gary knows would rather die of thirst than drink this water..

Mary finishes setting her tent up

This camp site even has drying racks for all of our shoes.

Tom and Tim prepare a feast, and I know they aren't sharing with the rest of us!

Adam takes a few of us on a hike into a side canyon where his family lived and tells us the story of his people in Canyon de Chelly

Hiking with cows

Campfire time. Later Adam tells traditional Navajo stories and songs around the fire, with the light of the full moon reflecting off the canyon walls. It is a magical night we will always remember.

Hey Tim, I don't need that chair, I'll just sit in the dirt, I sure don't want your feet to get cold!

Guess who's the last one up in the morning? Good morning, JD!

The line for Navajo fry bread..

Delicious!!

We'll eat our fry bread out here in the sun, where it's warm!

Is that Rod taking another nap?

And we're off like a herd of -- little black stink bugs.

Guess what, more stream crossings!!

I love Canyon de Chelly!

Ian loves this rock!

And it's time to hike out of the canyon. Trail? We don't need no stinking trail!

I hope that's not Tim West over there scrambling straight up that cliff...

Yes, we are the men who carry heavy packs, can we carry your pack out for you?

I love Canyon de Chelly! Especially this flat part of the hike!

Bob, wake up, it's time to go get Mexican food!

Who had a great time? We did!!!

Mr. Pendleton!