Backpacking Training

Tye and I are training for a one night backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon in October. Training is compiled of a few days a week of hiking, walking, running, or biking and normally one big hike on the weekend. We've started hiking with packs that weigh about what we will carry into the Canyon.
Yesterday, we did a 6.5 mile hike up Granite Mountain. It was a hard hike with lots of stair steps but the views were pretty awesome.

This is Granite Mountain.

About 2 miles of the trail was this nasty stair step switch backs. It seemed like no step was less than 1 foot in heighth.

A cool tree near the top of the mountain.

Great views!

Another look out into Prescott from the hike.