Guides (including a leader, not shown, and a following guide who is pictured here) direct visitors on a mule ride down Bright Angel Trail into the gorge at
Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. The ride, at times steep, is reported by those who have taken it to be dramatic (and to some a bit traumatic) heading along an edge into the abyss on the way down and less harrowing coming back up, when the riders and animals hug a safe rock wall. The riders, who share the trail with hikers along the canyon’s easiest and most popular trail, will spend the night below at the 1932 Phantom Ranch, one of several Grand Canyon buildings designed by American architect Mary Colter. Photo by Carol Highsmith, 2018.