Backpacking in the Grand Canyon

[luv'nAustin]

Cool, Spoke!

Thanks for the report! I love to read about hiking adventures!

I was in Arizona last month and hiked Mt. Humphrey's one day and Hermit Trail (in the Canyon) the next day. Our plan was to hike this trail and connect with Bright Angel and hike out that way (I think it would have been around 28 miles) but after 5 hours of slogging in the cold and rain, we turned back. Oh well, at least we got in a good 8 hours of hiking and plenty of adventure. In some spots the trail crosses fields of boulders and you have to follow the cairns and somehow we got off several times and one time we ended up very far below the actual trail and way to close to a drop off for my comfort. I am also afraid of heights and now I can add slippery rocks and muddy slopes to that list!

This was the first time on this trail. I usually hike rim-to-rim (sleep on the North Rim) and rim-to-rim back the next day with friends from Phoenix. We are going again in May. I have never tried backpacking, but I'm sure that would be great too.

You are very fortunate to be living in Flagg. When I lived in Scottsdale we would hike up and around Camelback several times on the weekends to prepare for the Canyon. Now I have no hills to climb and spend way too much time on the moving stairs for preperation, but it can't prepare the body for the steep descents!

[emily_in_nc]

How cool!

Thanks for sharing your adventure, spokewrench. Sounds tough! DH and I went to the GC this spring -- my first time ever to the southwest. It was spectacular! We didn't backpack but did dayhike from South Kaibab to the River and back up the Bright Angel trail. We got in around 18 miles, and it was just gorgeous and very strenuous (to me), especially carrying all the water we carried in our daypacks.

The temperature variation is amazing! We started out in the low 40s at the top and hit 96 at the river (on May 1). It took going a long way up until the temperature started feeling temperate again. It was my longest hike ever and an incredible feeling of accomplishment to go from the rim to the river and back in a day (which all the signs tell you not to even attempt!!) We had trained well for it, though, and did fine, just a few blisters.

Glad you had such a great backpacking adventure. You are lucky to live so close to so many gorgeous hiking spots! We visited Sedona, Albuquerque, Mesa Verde NP in Colorado, Arches, Canyonlands (my favorite), Bryce, and Zion before returning home and hiked everywhere we went - 101 miles for the trip. It was truly the trip of of a lifetime for this east-coast gal! And I luuuuuuuved the low humidity!

Emily

[chickwhorips]

wow sounds like fun. as long as i lived in arizona (and am here now visiting) i have never been to the grand canyon. i hear its so beautiful. one day... i say one day....

[spokewench]

How cool!

Thanks for sharing your adventure, spokewrench. Sounds tough! DH and I went to the GC this spring -- my first time ever to the southwest. It was spectacular! We didn't backpack but did dayhike from South Kaibab to the River and back up the Bright Angel trail. We got in around 18 miles, and it was just gorgeous and very strenuous (to me), especially carrying all the water we carried in our daypacks.

The temperature variation is amazing! We started out in the low 40s at the top and hit 96 at the river (on May 1). It took going a long way up until the temperature started feeling temperate again. It was my longest hike ever and an incredible feeling of accomplishment to go from the rim to the river and back in a day (which all the signs tell you not to even attempt!!) We had trained well for it, though, and did fine, just a few blisters.

Glad you had such a great backpacking adventure. You are lucky to live so close to so many gorgeous hiking spots! We visited Sedona, Albuquerque, Mesa Verde NP in Colorado, Arches, Canyonlands (my favorite), Bryce, and Zion before returning home and hiked everywhere we went - 101 miles for the trip. It was truly the trip of of a lifetime for this east-coast gal! And I luuuuuuuved the low humidity!

Emily

Sounds like you had a great trip! I am very lucky to live where I do there is so much to do here of the outside variety. We are really close to desert, mountains, rivers, grand canyon, colorado, new mexico, utah. It seems like the outdoor experiences are never ending! And, Yes, I love the fact that there is no humidity! I'm from Kansas and grew up in Ohio in Cincinnati so I know what humidity is and I hate it!

[Pedal Wench]

Cool, Spoke!

Thanks for the report! I love to read about hiking adventures!

I was in Arizona last month and hiked Mt. Humphrey's one day and Hermit Trail (in the Canyon) the next day. Our plan was to hike this trail and connect with Bright Angel and hike out that way (I think it would have been around 28 miles) but after 5 hours of slogging in the cold and rain, we turned back. Oh well, at least we got in a good 8 hours of hiking and plenty of adventure. In some spots the trail crosses fields of boulders and you have to follow the cairns and somehow we got off several times and one time we ended up very far below the actual trail and way to close to a drop off for my comfort. I am also afraid of heights and now I can add slippery rocks and muddy slopes to that list!

This was the first time on this trail. I usually hike rim-to-rim (sleep on the North Rim) and rim-to-rim back the next day with friends from Phoenix. We are going again in May. I have never tried backpacking, but I'm sure that would be great too.

You are very fortunate to be living in Flagg. When I lived in Scottsdale we would hike up and around Camelback several times on the weekends to prepare for the Canyon. Now I have no hills to climb and spend way too much time on the moving stairs for preperation, but it can't prepare the body for the steep descents!

We're planning another rim-to-rim-to-rim in May too! We're probably stopping at the river and doing some day hikes on the way across - exploring Phantom Canyon, and maybe head over to Clear Creek. Hermits to Bright Angel in one day is quite ambitious! Wow! We did a South Kaibab-Tonto-Bright Angel in one day and thought that was ambitious! Just don't do the Grandview-Tonto-South Kaibab without enough water. (Google "Margaret Bradley")

[luv'nAustin]

Hey Pedal,

We are doing our hike the 22nd and 23rd of May.

Yep, the water thing is tricky. That is why we chose this route for a cooler month. Two of our friends were smart enough to pack water proof clothing and did complete the intended hike that day. It took them about 12 hours.

Let me know if we have the same dates!

[Bikingmomof3]

Wow, thanks for the details of your vacation. I have only hiked in The Rocky Mountains and Snowy Mountains and never where I was dangerously close to the edge (I am terrified of heights).
Please share pics if you can. I have never been to the Grand Canyon. It is on my list of places to visit.

[Pedal Wench]

Hey Pedal,

We are doing our hike the 22nd and 23rd of May.

Yep, the water thing is tricky. That is why we chose this route for a cooler month. Two of our friends were smart enough to pack water proof clothing and did complete the intended hike that day. It took them about 12 hours.

Let me know if we have the same dates!

Austin, we're definitely going to be there then. I'm not sure where/when yet though. We have our North/South Rim reservations, but not sure the exact dates. The past two years, we've done rim-to-rim-to-rims, but the long way. On time starting at Hermits up to the North Rim, then back across and out Grandview, and then the reverse, startingon the North Rim the next year. This year, we're going to try to spend more time at the river, instead of so much time up on the Tonto.

I'll let you know when I know our exact itinerary.