I was wowed by the Grand Canyon in person, even though I had seen lots of photos. I appreciate seeing the photos more now since I saw it in person and can add “mind’s eye” details
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I loved the Grand Canyon, but every time I think about our trip, I get a pit in the bottom of my stomach. DH and DS were supposed to hike down to Skeleton Point and back. Our other two kids and I were hanging out at the hotel, waiting for them to return. We waited and waited and waited. It was LONG past their expected return. I was literally filling out a missing persons report when DH called, exhilarated (he couldn’t call from the Canyon because there was no cell service). When they got down to Skeleton Point, the river beckoned, so they walked all the way to the bottom and went for a swim, before hiking back up! There were signs EVERYWHERE saying, “Don’t attempt the hike in one day - people have died.” Fortunately, DS had the foresight to bring a LOT of water, and he carried most of it. There was zero shade on the way back up, and it was hot. Ugh. So yes, DH and I have polar opposite reactions when we think of that trip! 
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I had cell data during >95% in canyon region, using Verizon network. There are also emergency phones.
Temperatures are often warmer than people expect because temps get hotter as you descend. It’s normal for temperatures at bottom of canyon to be >20F above top. When I started in the morning it was <30F, and by midday at bottom it was near 70F. During May to Sep, it’s normal for temps to reach 100F at bottom.
Nevertheless, environmental deaths on this particular trail are uncommon. People are all over the place on the trail and there are a good number of rangers/employees, so persons in emergency situations tend to get noticed quickly. There are shaded spots to rest, particularly The Tipoff, which is sort of like a waiting station for mules. Helicopters can land there in an emergency as well. As noted earlier, there is also lodging at the bottom, as well as campgrounds at different points. More common are deaths due to suddenly collapsing, particularly for persons with preexisting health conditions.
If they are in good health and have hiking experience, I think the bigger risk was swimming in the Colorado river, unless they were wearing a flotation device. There can be strong currents.
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We were there in July, 2010. Maybe the cell phone coverage was worse then?
I just remember this HUGE poster near the trailhead of a very fit young woman, a marathon runner, who had gotten lost and died. The poster made it clear that making the down and up hike in one day was not wise.
And of course they didn’t have flotation devices.
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Yes, that was also before they added The Tipoff shade structure. A description and pictures are at South Kaibab Trail Shelter Now Available (U.S. National Park Service) . One of those pictures is below. In addition to providing a shade/rest spot, they mention The Tipoff has an emergency phone and two 125 gallon water containers.
I just remember this HUGE poster near the trailhead of a very fit young woman, a marathon runner, who had gotten lost and died. The poster made it clear that making the down and up hike in one day was not wise.
If you get lost, all bets are off. All kinds of negative things can happen, regardless of your fitness level. However, it’s difficult to get lost while trying to stay on South Kaibab trail. The trail is extremely well marked and easy to follow. I agree that is not a good idea to hike up and down in one day, if you are not adequately prepared, especially in July heat. However, for many experienced hikers, 14 miles + 4700 ft in one day is not a problem. I’m planning to hike that distance + elevation later this week, in much rougher terrain than the stair like South Kaibab trail.
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Why I love my job…
I wrote the 2 owners, “they’re beautiful - has it been 10 years? - only feels like 15 
” one immediately wrote back “20 for us!”
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Lovely animal—hope he’s not hungry for pets!
Hallelujah, fewer rats and rabbits!
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I feed the bunnies that come into our yard, but we have coyotes so… Circle of life and all, but I do love the rabbits. If they were eating the garden I don’t have, I’d probably feel differently.
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We have an unlimited number of rabbits hopping around and also very fat, impressive looking woodrats. I hope the bobcat has a tasty dinner after that tanning session! It was clearly enjoying the sun. Maybe it was having an after lunch siesta…
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Is that a large Bengal (domestic cat) or a wild one?
That guy or gal is a bobcat that our security cameras caught on video a few times. I have not seen this beast so upclose though! The cat was very comfy! I even kitty-kittied it - no fear, just turned the head towards the sound, looked at me, and continued to sun itself on the sun warmed up beauty bark.
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Very cool, but a little scary
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There have been no records of a bobcat ever killing anyone. They are relatively small compared to a mountain lion or lynx, the most common wildcats in the U.S. There are three others found in the southern U.S. that are extremely rare. There have been incidents of non fatal attacks, but domestic dogs and cats are much more dangerous than all the wildcats combined (and probably bears, wolves, coyotes, etc also).
- Canadian Lynx
- Bobcat
- Ocelot RARE
- Mountain Lion
- Jaguar RARE
- Jaguarundi RARE
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Agreed. The average weight of an adult bobcat is 20 pounds.