Grand Canyon

[snowsprite]

Anyone here ever been there? I'm looking for suggestions on which summer month would be most tolerable to go and if there are any reasonable places (clean and cheap) you'd recommend to stay nearby.

Also, what is fun to do there? Anything that might produce an adrenaline rush (and no, I will not jump into the Canyon! ) or just be neat to try?

Tanks,

Sprite

[Tippster]

Now is good, then in Sept. It's a desert, after all.

I hear the donkey ride into the canyon from South Rim is frightening... much moreso than hiking yourself, because the donkeys slip and slide their way down.

Personally I'm saving all my pennies (those not earmarked for AK Heli trip) to raft the canyon just once in my life. A friend got to do the whole 2 week tour a few years ago and after seeing his pics and hearing his stories I am somewhat obsessed.

[mrw]

2 years ago,friends did the 2 week rafting trip. last year they went back and did the hike to the bottom,camped and hiked back up the the next day. The pics were amazing but they had to book the rafting trip a year ahead of time

[Foggy_Goggles]

2 years ago,friends did the 2 week rafting trip. last year they went back and did the hike to the bottom,camped and hiked back up the the next day. The pics were amazing but they had to book the rafting trip a year ahead of time

Want some cheese with that whine? I had to wait 8yrs to get a cancellation for a private permit. FYI, the permit system is currently being re-worked to provide more equity between commercial and private launches. Private trips will most likely be reduced so the wait or price could increase. Motor rigs will most likely not be allowed during some of the prime shoulder seasons.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Here's a link to my Webshots album

I kayaked on a 21day trip last March. Definatly the best whitewater trips of my life, I can't wait to go back. The GC is a pretty amazing and powerful place. What are you looking for Sprite? I'm not sure about the touristy stuff on the rim, but a rim to river hike would kick ass. You'll need to get a permit, if you call now you should be good for the fall. I hiked about 10mile is March and it was brutal. I'd stay away during the summer months. I'd also stay away from Phantom Bridge also.

[snowsprite]

Thanks guys!

I will have my 10 yr old son w/ me. He's pretty tough but I need to keep it do-able for him. I'd love to try the rafting, but perhaps when he's an older teenager that would be better.

Maybe we could do the rim-to-river hike if we go early Sept. The mule ride sounds cool!

Sprite

[lemon boy]

Sprite- There are two rim "stations" one on the north, one on the south. One's developed tourist hell, one is laidback mellow. I've never talked to anyone who's been to both that would ever go to the built up side after being to the less developed side. YMMV, I've never been.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Sprite

Rafting = need permit

Rim to River = need permit

Anything else, super touristy. In my opinion, there are few parks that compare to the GC in term's of beauty. Due to the vastness of the place, the permit system and the crowds, much of it is difficult to see. You can probably see more cool desert landscape, see way less people, spend less money and have a better vacation by visiting other less traveled areas of the desert Southwest. This is just my view, but others agree that it is hard to get away from the disney land aspects of the Grand Canyon.

[Hunterski]

Motor rigs will most likely not be allowed during some of the prime shoulder seasons.

Making it much less accessable to the general public.. Not everyone can take an entire month to run the river. I guess not everyone can drop $2k on a week trip either. I guess rafting the canyon will only be reserved for river elitists and rich folks.

[shmerham]

If you do the south rim, there are hotels in the village (just outside the park) that are reasonably priced during the off season (no idea what the prices are like during the peak).

Is the permit for hiking to the bottom new? When I went a year ago one wasn't needed.

The hike itself is easy, the trail is smooth, and most of it isn't steep. The tough part is dealing with the heat.

[Viva]

clickity-click

[Foggy_Goggles]

Is the permit for hiking to the bottom new? When I went a year ago one wasn't needed.

I think the permits is actually for camping below the rim so if you either to to Phantom or day hike its OK. Second hand info for what it is worth.

[Trackhead]

You don't need permits to hike in the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel, North or South Kaibab trails.

A good trip would be down the Bright Angel from the S. rim to Phantom Ranch (9.5 miles and 5,000ft). Spend the night, eat at Phantom Ranch, hike out. Or day trip (4.5 miles) to Indian Gardens down the Bright Angel and back out.

September is the start of the good hiking season. The first week of september can still be in the monsoon season, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. But usually it is starting to dry up by then.

You could also go to Havasupi Falls. You can hike down to the falls (10 miles) and fly a helicopter out, or hike out. Havasupi is an indian reservation on the west end of the Canyon. Beautiful place.

Cheap lodging can be had at the south rim, just outside the park in the small town there.

Here is a photo TR of a double crossing we did two years ago.
Grand Canyon double crossing

[Trackhead]

The Bright Angel trail from the South Rim has water available at 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 9 miles.

The North Kaibab from the North Rim is 14 miles to Phantom Ranch, and 1000 more feet of elevation loss.

North Rim is definitely the more sublime place to be. But it is very isolated, and is a 3 hour drive from the S. Rim.

Go to Havasupi.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Making it much less accessable to the general public

So what's next, a chairlift to the top of Long's Peak? An airconditioned 4X4 bus in the middle of death valley? Why to we as a society need to make our country's crown jewels accessable? A certain skill set is required for many adventures.

I'm not trying to come off harsh or give Sprite's thread the C, but the Grand Canyon needs our attention. You must agree that it is a fragile resource that can support only so much human impact. If you read the proposed management plan http://www.nps.gov/grca/crmp/index.htm, you'll seen that the majority of trips are still motor rigs. Unlike others, like the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, I don't support a motor ban. I simply think those wanting a guided trip (commercials) should wait in the same line as the private boaters. My supported alternative (which is dead in the water) is to seperate the permit system from the private/ commerical decision. If you want to go down the Grand, you get on the permit list. Once your number comes up (either via lottery, wait list or some combination), you get to decide whether you want to get you're buddies together and do a private or whether you want to contact a outfitter to guide you.

One this I will say is GO! It's a trip of a lifetime, 221 miles of in your face crazyness.

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-ltzm, -l-)
n.
The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

No looking for any favored treatment, brah! Exactly the opposite actually

[Stanley]

The S. Kaibab trail is STEEP, with no water. mule trains use it also. If you goon during off-peak months take gaiters. I went with the folks a coupla marchs ago, foot of snow on the rim when we started down Bright Angel. Stayed at Phantom, day hiked to waterfalls, and up S. Kaibab. You'll need the gaiters because the path is pretty beat in places and if its wet the puddles are deep and full of mule piss. The peeps in the loafers trying to skirt the puddles love it when you come traipsing straight thru the muck with your gaiters splashing em. But what the hell do they expect when a guy with to much weight on his back is comin at em? Goto the North Rim.

[snowsprite]

Very helpful info. Thank you!!

Those of you who have gone, have you done a week/2 week foray? Have any gone for just an extended weekend? They don't let me out of the cube much here, so I have only limited days. Wonder if a 4-day thing is even worth it...
(from what it sounds like though any time you can devote to this beautiful landmark is worth it!).

North rim is sounding like the ticket too.

Sprite

[shmerham]

You definitely have to get INTO the canyon to really appreciate it, but even one full day there is enough to enjoy it. I spent one day and two nights there.

[bakers_dozen]

Just got back from there last week actually... Did a 31 km (~20 miles) down the Kaibab Trail to the river, and back up the Bright Angel trail ont he south rim. Its doable in one day but its quite extreme. Bring lots of water if you decide to go to the river... tehres a tap at the Phantom Ranch at the bottom...

Its worth the hike

[Egon]

So what's next, a chairlift to the top of Long's Peak? An airconditioned 4X4 bus in the middle of death valley?

Pretty close, it's an airconditioned 4x4 monster truck to haul fat asses around canyonlands.

...and another vote for north rim.

[Big E]

I hear the donkey ride into the canyon from South Rim is frightening... much moreso than hiking yourself, because the donkeys slip and slide their way down.

My cousin did this a few years ago (point of order, I think they're mules, not donkeys, mules are more horse-size I think). Anyway, my cousin, who had grown up riding horses around her granddad's farm, said it was absolutely terrifying. The mules like to be nose-to-ass (haha, pun intended) the whole way. My cousin didn't feel real comfortable with that, though, since she had no idea what the yahoo ahead of her was going to do or if he/she had any idea how to control their animal. So she would try to pull back her mule to get a little space there. But when this happened, the mule would start to notice that he was on this tiny little ledge of a trail with a huge dropoff on one side and start to freak out. You can imagine the sort of chain reaction this could lead to. So I guess you have to suck it up and just enjoy the ride and trust the mule's own instinct for self preservation.

[Obstruction]

Very helpful info. Thank you!!

Those of you who have gone, have you done a week/2 week foray? Have any gone for just an extended weekend? They don't let me out of the cube much here, so I have only limited days. Wonder if a 4-day thing is even worth it...
(from what it sounds like though any time you can devote to this beautiful landmark is worth it!).

North rim is sounding like the ticket too.

Sprite

Loved the north rim when I visited with family a few years ago. Lodging is a little dicey we booked late and stayed at this place The Kaibab Lodge 15 miles from the rim. Double plus ungood. Paper thin walls sketchey resturant, ancient (not antique) furniture. We still refer to it as the Bates Hotel.

The lodge at the park is the way to go. Get dinner reservations at the resturant that looks out over the canyon, ringside seat for a fabulous sunset (food was OK). We hiked a bit and enjoyed spectacular views very comfortable in late June (mid 80s). I would suggest that without a definate entertainment plan (guided tour, rafting etc.) that a couple of days should do you with a ten year old.

Maybe a southwest tour, on to Zion or Bryce just to change scenery?

Enjoy.

[Spicoli]

Years ago, I went out with this chick that we used to lovingly refer to as the Grand Canyon. Not much help, just thought I'd share.

[Benny Profane]

cool pix, foggy.

I did 2 weeks in '86 on with O.A.R.S.. It was about $1600 back then, and now I think it's about $4000. But, really, it's worth it.
I wouldn't do the whole 2 weeks, though. The first half to Phantom Ranch with a hike out is fine.

[Benny Profane]

Oh, before this dies, I confess i did the helicopter ride, and ours went down to a native American encampment to pick up some prople.
This is a super thrill, but very guilty at that. Hope you get the same pilot.

Oh, and if you're a John Wayne/Ford fan, Monument Valley is a day trip by car.