Anyone ever backpacked in the Grand Canyon?

[Yelsel]

First off - Tri Girl, I expect lots of pictures!

Another bit of advice - get familiar with the geology (me? no, I'm not biased). Really, it is a nice marker of how far you've descended / ascended, and is tied with the temperature gradient and ecology as well. Plus you will end up with favorite and least-favorite units.
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org...c_layer.htm#hs

I love the Hermit Shale, because I feel very comfortable on shale scree, and the trails are usually right by the edge of a dropoff so it is very scenic - but other people hate it for that reason! I hate the evil Supai, because it tends to erode easily and cover / wash out the unmaintained and wilderness trails, and it is a long unit to traverse (used to get between gaps in the steep resistant layers, the Kaibab Limestone-Coconino Sandstone, and the Redwall Limestone). The Supai does have some use though, the Redwall Limestone gets it red color from the oxidized iron in the Supai above, forming the gorgeous thick red band in the mid-canyon. (Limestone is gray, and if you see a fresh face of the Redwall it will be gray also).

The Bright Angel is not a very fun trail; the mule trains grind it to a powder, it is as wide as a superhighway relatively speaking, it is not scenic, and has umpteen million switchbacks. The upside is that it is very safe, relatively speaking; lots of water (Indian Gardens, 3 mile, 1.5 mile lookouts), lots of people, and could get bailed out without a helicopter if there are problems. Plus now they have something to dry the mule urine - I remember stinking pools of it, ew! So think up switchback games to play -- we went through the alphabet 3 times before even reaching 3 mile lookout. So even though it is long, it is fairly easy as trails go, and there is not really a need to stay overnight at Indian Gardens (which is not that high up anyway, just on the Tonto Plateau). If I were going rim-to-rim, I would go South Kaibab to North Kaibab, even though the north rim is higher.

You should consider trying to get permits for the Clear Creek area - that is the most interesting place to get to from the corridor trails on the south side. This is a great launching point for dayhikes to a waterfall and to a native site. I've only been on a day-hike partway there, since I haven't been in the corridor in forever... but someday I'll get back there and fill that in. From the North Kaibab, I suggest a day / side trip to Ribbon Falls (easy to find) and upper Ribbon Falls (not so easy to find).

The entire time I've lived and worked in the desert, I've only seen one scorpion -- and that was at 8,000 feet in the White Mountains of California -- fortunately I looked before peeing that night! I like sleeping in the open... one of the few times I bailed and slept on a handy picnic table was during a huge migration of sidewinder snakes in Devil's Punchbowl (Mojave Desert). I am a severe arachnaphobe, but for some reason it doesn't translate into being afraid of sleeping in the open.

[GrassyRidge]

I freely admit I've never done the Grand Canyon- it IS on my bucket list! So I've saved a lot of this info on my computer yes, I am a dork!

I have done 1500 miles of the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast. One of the nest places I found on hiking and pack info is the WomenHikers group on yahoo groups. It's kind of like the TE for women who backpack.

I second that your pack and your boots are the two most important things you buy, don't skimp. You may want to check out ULA packs, and find out where your local (or not so local) Gatherings are to check out gear.

BREAK YOUR BOOTS IN. depending on what you choose, if you go full-grain leather, pour hot water in, let them sit for 30 minutes, pour them out, then wear them around the house till they dry (yes, change socks frequently). They will mold to your foot, and voila! no blisters. I tend to go the hiking shoe route, they are lighter and work better for my feet (300 miles with full-grain, no blisters but major heel pain from the weight), but that is truly personal preference.

I can't wait to hear how it goes, Happy Hiking!

[Pedal Wench]

You should consider trying to get permits for the Clear Creek area - that is the most interesting place to get to from the corridor trails on the south side. This is a great launching point for dayhikes to a waterfall and to a native site. I've only been on a day-hike partway there, since I haven't been in the corridor in forever... but someday I'll get back there and fill that in.

My favorite bit of advice regarding the hike to Clear Creek was given to me by Schor (permanent volunteer at Phantom Ranch.) He said, "Just when you think you should be there, you're only halfway there." Dang it if he wasn't right!

The only time I HAVE seen scorpions were under my tent at Bright Angel and Cottonwood.

[Crankin]

Tri Girl, you made me laugh with your "armpit of AZ" comment.
Glad to hear even the natives say that.

One time, on the way back from San Diego, we stopped in Yuma to eat lunch. We were outside at a Jack in the Box and this homeless guy came up to our table, begging food. When we ignored him, he yelled, "Anybody home?" Finally, my 4 year old gave him food.
"Anybody home?" became a family joke.
I have been to the Canyon once, and it sure wasn't hiking! The teachers I worked with at one time did a hiking trip there, every spring break, but I was always afraid I would have to call that helicopter and get charged $1200.00 for a rescue.

[Tri Girl]

Update: We applied for our permit on the first of the month, and we were approved for 4 days in the canyon in June. I know summer isn't ideal, but with teaching it's the ONLY time we can go.
No worries. I'm SOOOO excited!!! I'll be sure to tell you all about it when we return. Now let's just hope that one of us doesn't push the other one over the edge after a few days of strenuous hiking.

[Pedal Wench]

Woohoo!!! What's the planned hike? I'll be there with you in spirit!

[Tri Girl]

Well since we've done the BA trail 3 miles down, we wanted to see the North Rim. So- we'll be doing N Kaibab to Cottonwood CG, then to BA CG, then back to Cottonwood then out.
Now I want to buy a nicer camera. We have a nice point and shoot, but since it's 2 years old the technology is old. It's only 6 MP, and not really clear. Plus, I'd like to have a camera that I can bring rechargeable batteries to refill the juice. Right now the battery has to be plugged into the special charger and since there are no outlets in the GC, that won't work real well (and it doesn't hold a great charge to begin with).
I guess a camera will be the next thing on the list.

[rubywagon]

The North Rim is my favorite place on the planet. You will have so much fun! Can't wait to see the pictures.