Hiking the Grand Canyon: Hindsight

[eofelis]

I did a 5 day trip this past June in the GC. It was my first time on the South Rim. I didn't pick the route and it was 10 miles down the Boucher Trail on the first day, a real grind! We saw no other people that day, how often does that happen in the GC? Then across the Tonto to Hermit Camp, then down to the river, back up to Hermit Camp, then up the Hermit Trail. Saw maybe a couple dozen other backpackers all week.

I just got on another friend's list to try to get a backcountry permit for next March. Her itinerary looks like easy: down to Indian Gardens (not sure which trail down, SK or BA), then to Phantom Ranch for 1 or two nights, then back up to Indian Gardens, then out. Sounds easy after the Boucher and Hermit Trails!

[Irulan]

I did a 5 day trip this past June in the GC. It was my first time on the South Rim. I didn't pick the route and it was 10 miles down the Boucher Trail on the first day, a real grind! We saw no other people that day, how often does that happen in the GC? Then across the Tonto to Hermit Camp, then down to the river, back up to Hermit Camp, then up the Hermit Trail. Saw maybe a couple dozen other backpackers all week.

I just got on another friend's list to try to get a backcountry permit for next March. Her itinerary looks like easy: down to Indian Gardens (not sure which trail down, SK or BA), then to Phantom Ranch for 1 or two nights, then back up to Indian Gardens, then out. Sounds easy after the Boucher and Hermit Trails!

So backpacking permits are by lottery also? What is the commercial use ratio for a backcountry (hiking/horseback) permit?

[eofelis]

I did a 5 day trip this past June in the GC. It was my first time on the South Rim. I didn't pick the route and it was 10 miles down the Boucher Trail on the first day, a real grind! We saw no other people that day, how often does that happen in the GC? Then across the Tonto to Hermit Camp, then down to the river, back up to Hermit Camp, then up the Hermit Trail. Saw maybe a couple dozen other backpackers all week.

I just got on another friend's list to try to get a backcountry permit for next March. Her itinerary looks like easy: down to Indian Gardens (not sure which trail down, SK or BA), then to Phantom Ranch for 1 or two nights, then back up to Indian Gardens, then out. Sounds easy after the Boucher and Hermit Trails!

Our plans are coming together for our mid-March trip into the GC. Down BA trail 4.5 miles to Indian Gardens, then 2 nights at the PR, another night at IG, then out on the BA trail. It looks like an easy going trip with lots of time to look around. There are 6 of us.

My bf is going along. He had a bike accident last summer (grade 3 concussion) and still feels like he is recovering from it. He has a few days of activity and then is dead tired a for a few days, but he has been getting better. We have been out hiking, getting ready. Starting to think out what to pack. The weather could be variable in March.

We are both geologists, so we love rocks! We are also familiar with recent work on theories of how the canyon was formed and how old it might be.

[Irulan]

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We are both geologists, so we love rocks! We are also familiar with recent work on theories of how the canyon was formed and how old it might be.

Isthere something new?