Backpacking in the Grand Canyon

[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!