When one lives in the figurative shadow of the Grand Canyon, one is almost duty bound not only to visit, but to visit regularly. At first the main “corridor” trails are enough to reveal the treasures that lie below the rim. Eventually though, familiarity breeds a desire to know the Canyon more intimately, and to seek out more remote places. One such gem is the Battleship formation – remote – yet clearly visible to anyone hiking the Bright Angel trail.

Andrew O, Cailie B and I all rolled out of bed early in the middle of the night to meet up so we could arrive at the top of the BA trailhead at first light.

Since Andrew and Cailie have only one hiking speed, in no time at all we came to the path “less traveled by.” We left the Bright Angel and started our traverse. Distance to the base of the Battleship is approximately one mile of slow route finding. Quite often the “obvious” path up or down leads to a dead end and a fair amount of unnecessary climbing and descending…all part of the appeal of getting off the corridor highways.

I’m sure with handy internet descriptions, many have found the route to the top. Seems to me though, that the Battleship is a hike that lends itself to going with someone who has been there before. Andrew was our guide, and even with his near photographic memory, we still wandered a bit near the base of the butte trying to find the route. Having been deemed most expendable by Andrew (and most capable) Cailie got volunteered to scout possible routes.

Following the “even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally” principle, we eventually came around to the correct path. Even when you find the correct route, it is often not obvious and requires a bit of exploring and a few rock climbing moves.

The route finding and climbing eventually came to an end. We were rewarded with the usual amazing views. Views we have come to expect yet of which we never tire.

Turns out this was our way of celebrating “Fresh Tomato Day” (4/6/13). Thanks Cailie for that useful bit of info for the summit register. On a subsequent visit our log entry was easy to find…in two years fewer than 30 groups had signed in. This turned out to be yet another successful (and enjoyable) Diapers and Depends Expedition.