Grand Canyon

“I just hiked the bright angel trail in the grand canyon and stayed at the phantom ranch. Does anyone know of similar hikes, where there is lodging at the end?”

“Motion,

Unfortunately I don't have any information about another hike that is like that one actually I was wondering if you could give me some info? My family is taking the Bright Angel Trail hike in April 03. Can you give me any info about it? Any info would be great!”

“Keep this near the top and maybe our 'Zoners will see it.”

“Check to the hike to Havasu Falls west of GCNP. You have to make reservations with the Havasupai Tribal Council. Here is some info for you: http://www.haughey.com/havasupai/

The town of Supai has a hostel and restaurant about 2 miles above the falls/campground. More primitive even than Phantom Ranch.

I rate this a "must see" place.”

“Bright Angel Trail - Wonderful view. I was there 12/20/02 - and the path had snow on it. So my friend and I only hike half way. E-mail me and I can send you some pic. missslady@yahoo.com”

“Here are some links for you:

Grand Canyon

National Park Svs

http://www.areaparks.com/">Parks

Also just do a search on Grand Canyon there are many more helpful websites out there.”

“I hiked halfway down it in June a couple of years ago. It was very hot. Indian Gardens is a nice place to stop and rest. I don't know if there's water available between Indian Gardens and Phantom Ranch. Be sure and get your permits/reservations in advance.”

“There is one water house between Indian Gardens/Phantom Ranch. It is close to the river though.”

“Mary Phyl has been around the last couple of days, keep this up top, maybe she'll chime in.”

“a few years back I did it Rim to Rim to Rim. Started on the south rim heading down the S Kaibob trail then picked up the N Bright Angle to the N rim. On the way back we took the N Bright Angle down the and the s Bright Angle up. The S kaibob is well worth looking at. It's a lot less used and more rugged then the BA. I like it a lot better. Between the S kaibob and S BA there is another trail but i forget it's name. It basicly runs along the river. Also check out the Hermit trail. It's a trail that is no longer maintained by the parks department but still "open". It has a few pretty rugged spots but from what i hear it's well worth it.”

“Also, be prepared for the scent of mule excrement wafting up the switchbacks. And be carefull where you step!”

“On that same note, it seems all the mules urinate in the same spot leaving enormous mudholes that reek of mule urine.”

“http://www.Kaibab.org
is the best advice I can give you. The rangers will tell you to go down South Kaibab (ruins your knees) and out Bright Angel (really long and it is still all uphill, just has some long flat spots). So... my advice is to go down the Bright Angel which is beautiful and easy on the knees and take extra empty water bottles and hike out South Kaibab which is beautiful too. Two extra pounds of water on your back for 3.5 less miles going out. They will tell you there is no shade on the South Kaibab--not true--you just have to look for it. Start out early morning the day you hike out.”

“I'll second that!! They sent us down South Kaibab in '91... and the old kneecaps were Not Happy! LOL”

“Hermit's is the only trial I have taken to the bottom 2x now. I have dayhike the 'donkey trail' several times. I like Hermits because it was off the beaten path as far as S rim traisl go. There is a nice campsite at the bottom equipped with a little waterfall and soakin' pool.

A few pics from the trail can be seen here...

Zona”

“Enjoyed your pictures Briar Rabbit. The Grand Canyon is one of my future destinations.Thanks.”

“On Xmas day my family and I hiked down the South Kaibab.

From the Tip Off(plateau above the river) down to the river was murder on my old knees!

We hiked out Bright Angel and spent our sixth night at Indian Garden CG.

Next time I'm going to take two days going down by way of Bright Angel Trail.

Winter/Xmas break is a good time to go....good hiking weather.”

“P.S. Our little trek down the South Kaibab was BTP... 'Before Trekking Poles' <G> How about yours, Tom? I wouldn't go down into the Canyon without 'em, now. My knees would revolt! LOL

(and a couple of anti-inflamatories beforehand wouldn't hurt either...)”

“My friend Shy recommends anti inflamatories the day before, during and after a canyon hike. She is a nurse and canyon hiker.”

“oooooh Mr. Rabbit I love your photos--my favorite places. My parents owned the Thunderbird Lodge(the park concession) at Canyon De Chelly from about 1952 to 58. I spent my childhood summers in those canyons. All dirt roads then--40 miles from pavement and few visitors.”

“Did anybody buy the lodge yet?

Was that the Kaibab?”

“Not the one your parents owned, but the one for sale in the past year or so.”

“Yo no se.”

“People in Arizoner sure do talk funny.”

“Yeah but we don't talk like the people in 'Raising Arizona'. I don't know where they got those accents. But that movie is funnier'n hell.”

“I kinda liked the yodelling...”

“Tilt-
I made my descent with out poles(55# Terraplane) and ascended five pounds lighter also with out poles.
My wife and 12 year old had them.

I did use poles for the hump to Clear Creek.....Ibuprofen too!
My wife and kid stayed at Phantom Ranch while the three of us went there for three days.

I believe that I was better prepared this time than I was at age 22 in Jan '75.
We did the same trip then.
The descent killed my knees both times.

I did have a better pack this time!”

“ive waited too long and the knees are now gone...Im not gonna be in pain to do this hike, wish it were other wise, but there will be lots of other place to hike that won't put me in the hospital. but...bring back lots of photos, so us slackpackers can see the views.”

“The second time, we went down Grandview... the pack was still too heavy (food for 6 days)... With poles... And a bottle of Voltaren anti-inflammatory samples from the Doc.

The best thing about it was going around New Years instead of in August! It was 50˚ at at Rim and 72˚ at the river.

I Know what you mean, Stikmon. I think the people who start out these days with ultralight methods... their kness should last LOTS longer than ours did, <G>”

“Shari,
I hiked the South Kiabab trail to Phantom Ranch (approx 6 miles) at the end of Aug 2002. Pretty hot, you want to start the hike at 5:00am This trail is steeper then taking bright angel trail but it's shorter by 2 miles and it took the 3 of us approx 6.5 hours to reach the ranch. We were walking at a moderate pace and none of us are in super shape.
We stayed over night at the ranch then hiked the bright angel trail back to the rim the next morning. This hike took approx 8 hours and is longer but not as steep.
I would recommend this trip, it's difficult but if you hike about 6 miles a day for a 2 months before going you should tackle it fine. Of course you will be sore in the morning.”

“Here's an interesting story that I came across in a locally published magazine about an illegal paddle trip that was done a few years back. I'm not commenting on the legality or ethics of the guy - i just found it an interesting story and thought I'd share it with you guys.

The mag is pretty cool - a tad different.

http://www.mountaingazette.com/art.php?uid=528&date=2006-04-01&title=The%20big%20sneak”

“Sure......sure, you just love law-breakers.

Typical

Howzit goin', Cackalacky?”

“fixin ta head up to Boulder for a festival type thing they've got goin on.”

“I gotta clean the hair outta the vacuum cleaner and get it goin'.

Your day sounds like more fun.”

“http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/12/15/canyon.sky.ap/index.html

This could be interesting. I wonder how many people will freak out on it.”

“it's not the same when you see it from the top anyway”