The two most important things to remember about a flash flood,” the ranger, “are never try to outrun it. Instead try to get as high as you can so that you don’t get swept away.”

Flash flood? The safety video had all kinds of warnings about not hiking alone or going off the trails, but not once had they mentioned anything about a flash flood.

The next thing I knew, Mom was shaking me awake early in the morning. “Time to hit the trail, guys,” she said. I stepped out of the tent and rubbed my eyes, muttering grumpily, “The crack of dawn is no time to do anything.”

Though I was the one who was most excited about our trekking trip, I had never thought that I’d have to sacrifice my morning sleep to set on the trail.

But five-and-a-half hours later, I could see why we had started so early.

Everyone was exhausted, but at least we had gotten to the end of Kaibab Trail before the worst heat of the day blasted us.

After we pitched our tent, we took a stroll around the area and shot some beautiful photographs. When Dad suggested going to bed right after dinner, we agreed obediently, which was not normally we did when we were at home I fell asleep to the sound of rain falling hard against our tent.

The next morning was crisp and dry — the perfect hiking weather that any trekker would wish for before embarking. We packed up and went to the trailhead. A big sign read Bright Angel Trail. — Beliefnet.com