hiking the Grand Canyon Question

[esterroid]

OK, I'm going to do it again, a quarter century after the first journey.

this time my son and I are going to hike from the north rim to the south rim, with a possible side trip to Clear Creek.

Already received the permit and am looking forward to the 40 mile walk. I'm 58, he's 26. Now when we hike he slows down and pretends to take pictures so the old man can catch up!

Any forum members make this walk in the past couple of years? we're leaving the first week in June. Wanted to go first week in may, but couln't get the permit. We're right on the cusp of it being reasonable to go to Clear Creek, but we will have an almost full moon, so we can hike at night to avoid the heat if need be. Most of trail to clear creek is south sloping so you get the sun full bore during the day.

What's Phantom Ranch like these days?

Any tips?

Boy it's been a great excuse to replace a lot of aging equipment. You can buy a down sleeping bag that weights a pound! Not cheap, but #800 down seems to do the trick. Bought an Osprey pack that is really well put together and only weighs 3 1/2 pounds!

Yep, I'm counting ounces for this trip.

trying to get in better shape by losing a couple of pounds in the next two months, ten is my goal. been walking down to the village to get the mail some days. A three mile round trip with 600 foot change in elevation. hopefully we'll have an early breakup so the trails clear off and I can get in a couple of real walks with a full pack before I leave.

 

[esterroid]

OK, I'm going to do it again, a quarter century after the first journey.

this time my son and I are going to hike from the north rim to the south rim, with a possible side trip to Clear Creek.

Already received the permit and am looking forward to the 40 mile walk. I'm 58, he's 26. Now when we hike he slows down and pretends to take pictures so the old man can catch up!

Any forum members make this walk in the past couple of years? we're leaving the first week in June. Wanted to go first week in may, but couln't get the permit. We're right on the cusp of it being reasonable to go to Clear Creek, but we will have an almost full moon, so we can hike at night to avoid the heat if need be. Most of trail to clear creek is south sloping so you get the sun full bore during the day.

What's Phantom Ranch like these days?

Any tips?

Boy it's been a great excuse to replace a lot of aging equipment. You can buy a down sleeping bag that weights a pound! Not cheap, but #800 down seems to do the trick. Bought an Osprey pack that is really well put together and only weighs 3 1/2 pounds!

Yep, I'm counting ounces for this trip.

trying to get in better shape by losing a couple of pounds in the next two months, ten is my goal. been walking down to the village to get the mail some days. A three mile round trip with 600 foot change in elevation. hopefully we'll have an early breakup so the trails clear off and I can get in a couple of real walks with a full pack before I leave.

 

[BugBeard]

I've rafted the Grand on a private trip piloting a 17ft cataraft and my only advice is if you're lucky enough to befried some rafters when you reach the river you can get some free ice cold beer and they will take all your trash for you because that is what we did for some hikers. They REALLY appreciated it. Maybe you could bring something to barter with the rafters.

Phantom might take trash, but I'm not sure, but the ranch has ice for sale and a little cafe with simple foods and lemonade, I know that.

I do remember it being ridiculously hot once far from the river on a day hike. I mean it was an inferno! Definitetly take lots of water or know where any springs are along your route and have the knowledge that they will be usable.

Watch for rattlers and scorpions and crafty birds too. One night I smoothed out the sand around my tent and in the morning it was full of tracks from a host of critters and creepy crawlies! I wouldn't want to sleep under the stars unless I was elevated. I took to sleeping on the cataraft since it was so cool and I got too lazy to keep pitching and taking down a tent every day, but otherwise it's a tent for me.

I'd love to do a hike like that one day to gain another perspective on the canyon.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Just don't cut back on your water supply to save weight!

 

[max]

You can get water at Phantom. I rafted the Canyon about 13 years ago and it was the best week of my life. Did I mention, take lots of water.

 

[jkc]

We're experiencing a rabies epidemic in AZ, including Flagstaff vicinity as a hotspot, not too far from the Canyon, so I'd give some thought to protecting yourself while asleep. Time was, I'd just set up a cot and sleep under the stars, but no more...

 

[crofoot629]

Sorry no info for you, just excitement and envy!

I hiked in and out with a college geology class in the spring of 1980, and did a private 3 week river trip in 1989.

Have fun, Emory

 

[gunsmith11]

I have trouble walking too the bathroom

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by crofoot629:
Sorry no info for you, just excitement and envy!

Me, too. I wish I could go. Have fun!!!

 

[glypnir]

My father and grandfather both did the one day hike from the South Rim to the river and back up at over 70. I went down with Grandpa, but that was a long time ago.

My Dad told me he didn't recommend it, but it is something to shoot for.

 

[doahdoug]

If you're getting new boots, get 'em now and wear them on your warmup walks.

 

[esterroid]

Originally posted by doahdoug:
If you're getting new boots, get 'em now and wear them on your warmup walks.

I am considering replacing my 10 year old traditional Danner hiking boots for a pair of the new-fangled ultra-light jobs, but I'm somewhat hesitant to do so.

the old boots are heavy, but, by golly, they fit!

got to decide on that one quick.