Hiking in the Grand Canyon?

[DougPaul]

We then did the day hike to Phantom Ranch & return from the South Rim, there were no rules against it and no permits required (then) but the rangers tried very hard to tell us it was impossible.

When I was there several years ago, the rangers also tried to dissuade hikers from hiking rim-river-rim (south rim) in a day. No rule against it. I suspect they are just trying to minimize the number of rescues due to fatigue and heat effects. (For example, when I hiked the canyon as a kid in August (temp was up to 113F), we met some hikers who did not carry any water--they couldn't conceive of the dryness and didn't believe the warning signs.)

For a NE hiker in reasonable shape, there are two questions: altitude and heat. The South rim is at ~7K ft (North ~8K ft) and some people have trouble adjusting from the NE cold to the heat of the canyon. (I went from sking Garfield to hiking in the canyon in 2 weeks.)

Doug

 

[roadtripper]

what about....

What about Havasu Falls? It's probably not the best time of the year to visit (too cold to swim I'd imagine), but it's probably not nearly as crowded in April as it is during the summer.

It's an easy 2-3 day backpacking trip. PM me if you'd like more details.

- Greg

 

[giggy]

canyon is AMAZING - I was there on my honeymoon and did some short hikes - iF i WENT AGAIN - I would do the trip down to the phantom ranch and then out again - might even try the rim to rim.

if you go to the main place - there will be some big crowds - but they thin out once on the trails. I am sure there are more remote places there that I missed.

its like climbing a reverse mountain. all in all - well worth seeing.

 

[jessbee]

Wow, folks, thanks for all the ideas, I'm really excited about this trip as I have never been out west!! Keep 'em coming!

 

[smitty77]

It's been 16+ years since I went, but remember the trip like it was yesterday. Hiked from the south rim, spent two nights camping at Phantom ranch, and saw more wildlife* and beautiful scenery in 3 days than I have ever since.

*We had 2 deer cross through our campsite on night one, a spotted skunk on night 2 (didn't spray thankfully), and a black widow spider hiding under the bench I was sitting on.

Even if it is crowded on the South Rim, just go! No matter how much (or how little) hiking you get in, you'll never regret taking the trip. Watch the donkey pies!

Smitty

 

[michaelb]

I have also coincidently hiked the tanner trail. We did 3 nights in mid may, and were pretty much the only people there (I think we might have seen some other hikers along the river one day). I didn't find it that hard or steep, so many hikes in the Daks, or the Whites or on Katahdyn are much steeper (western trails IMO with switchbacks are much less steep then the the eastern method of going straight up).

Right at the top going off the rim there are some stretches (about 20 feet long) that have some exposure, but nothing scary. It was very cold and snowy on the rim, really winter conditions and the tourists were freezing, and there was some snow and ice on the trail. It was summer weather at the river, although the water is muddy, fast, and freezing cold too.

Water on the climb out was one of my major concerns, so we cached food and water at a camp half way down for the return trip. This worked well and that camp was gorgeous. It is well worth staying half way just for the experience and views. Coming all the way out would be doable, but much more challenging. Loop hikes are also harder to plan because of water concerns and you can't cache supplies then. So I would think about doing the same way up and down and camping on the river, and doing day hikes or an out and back hike from that base camp.

 

[Frodo]

Last June, I hiked from the S. rim down the remote New Hance Trail as a day hike, and I almost didn't make it back up . Though I brought 5 liters of fluids with me, the late morning 118 degree heat started to take it's toll on me (I had previously done a 2 hour hike in death valley in 120 degree heat with no problems what-so-ever). Though I was well hydrated, heat exhaustion started to affect on me over time due to the physical nature of the remote trail I chose (I wanted to avoid the crowds on the popular trails, and I got my wish... Didn't see another soul...)

The only wildlife I saw was the 2 buzzards that were circling me as I crawled my sorry ass back up and out of the Canyon to be picked up by my wife and kids...

Your going during a much cooler time of year, so you won't have the same issues... Have a blast, the canyon is BEAUTIFUL!

 

[Artex]

So, your bailing on my trip to do this one?! Hiking canyons?! Think about it... that's the antithesis of mountain climbing!

Just kidding, of course. Sounds like a great opportunity worth taking advantage of. Have fun.