Family Letter 08-08 Working With Grand Canyon Trust

Sunday morning marked the start of our weeklong trip with the Grand Canyon Trust (GCT) at the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park. Upon arrival, we set up our base camp and set out for the North Kaibab Trailhead.  The trail was 4.5 miles down to the bottom of the canyon where natural springs would be found.  We made it to the bottom, passing mules with tourists on their way back up along the way.  After reaching the trough, our trek truly began.  The journey required physical and mental strength, focus, and moral support for one another.  After the sun set around 7:30pm, we put on our headlamps for the remaining two hours of the hike.  We trudged the path of destiny towards the finish line and reached the trailhead at last, symbolic of the journey we are on towards a fulfilling life of sobriety.

On Monday, we left base camp and headed towards our environment conservation project with the Grand Canyon Trust. We stopped at a North Rim viewing point where amazing views were witnessed that truly represented the “Grand” Canyon and its vast depth and area. Our group made it to the Kane Ranch around 4pm and were met by Emily and Sarissa, two members of the GCT.  We ate burgers made from meat that was direct from a cow who grazed on the meadow we were preparing to preserve.

The next day, we woke up before sunrise and prepared for a long day ahead of us.  We packed our daypacks with lunch and set out to VT lake to build fences.  During our lunch break, we were struck by a hailstorm and retreated to the vans until it passed.  We finished the job in strong fashion and under the time estimated to complete the fence.  It was a fulfilling day knowing we had helped preserve a valuable ecosystem that left a mark on the environment for years to come.

When we got back to camp, we saw the impact the rain had on our site.  Tents were damp and sleeping bags wet.  We countered the inclement weather with hot chili and a warm van which was used to dry sleeping bags.  The day ended with all of us grateful for some shut eye.

We woke up early on Wednesday to start our next project at Mile and a Half Lake.  This meadow/watering hole was specifically permitted for cattle grazing.  Our job required us to tear down molded cross rails and worn cedar posts to be replaced by new ones.  The logs were 15′ long and heavy requiring teamwork.  The job was difficult but also extremely rewarding. After lunch, we were again met by the weather gods with an isolated thunderstorm and found ourselves in the vans once again.  Working alongside archaeologist, soil scientists, and multiple other experts helped us gain perspective on the work we were embarking on.  They helped make clear the significance of the fence in terms of creating a sustainable environment for the cattle to graze without negative impacts.
The following day we ate a breakfast of champions; eggs, potatoes, and sausage.  It was the perfect meal to prepare us for completing the project.  Everyone came together and worked as one throughout the day to succeed in our goal of completion.  The fence measured .15 miles in circumference and in total we installed 128 new posts.  the satisfaction felt by the project managers percolated through us and overtook our fatigue.

On our last day at the North Rim, Friday, we headed to the Widfross Trail.  It was a 9.6 mile round trip hike through the forest and culminating at more magnificent viewpoints.  IT was awe inspiring and many of the guys planned out future treks across the canyon while there.  We set up our camp for the night at Jacob Lake Campsite before being treated to fine canyon dining at the Jacob Lake Inn.  This marked the end of a trip that showed us all that coming together and working our tails off could make an impact.  We helped the environment, GCT, communities, and left us feeling a sense of accomplishment simultaneously.

That’s all for now, hope you enjoyed hearing about our most recent adventure.  There will certainly be more to come.  Goodbye for now.

-Back2Basic Boys