Hi

Next week, we will have a full day at Grand Canyon. Should arrive night before, and be at the canyon next day 9am.

Is this doable?

-Walk to Mather Point from Visitor center.
-Shuttle to Yavapai point
-Shuttle to Yaki point
-Shuttle back to Yavapai point
-Walk train of time to Verkamp (can we get food here?)
-Shuttle to Hopi point
-Shuttle back to Mather point and walk to visitor center
-Drive to Desert view.
-Go to hotel for night and check out next morning.

Hi,

For this Thanksgiving we're driving from Page to Phoenix (on Saturday), and I'm thinking if we should do a detour. I've been two Grand Canyon NP (south rim) twice, and both times it was magnificent at the first stop, and then the 2nd/3rd stops started to get a bit similar and less interesting. So I think we can just briefly stop at a few viewpoints and not plan on doing any hikes. Google map shows about 6 hours total... Am I too naive thinking we can do this in one day though, with the traffic, weather and time we may spend inside the park? We have two kids 5 and 8...

Thanks

My first posting here.

My friends and I are doing R2R, from South Kaibab to North Kaibab. Have a backpacking permit for 11/3, Sunday.

It looks like it will snow overnight (Sat -> Sun), and the precipitation (accumulated) looks like .5 inch, which is probably equivalent to 3-4 inches of snow.

Has anyone hiked South Kaibab in snow? How would it be like to Phantom Ranch? What are the things we should know?

Should we be worried about flash flood while camping? (I think not)

Hi friends, I’m in the lottery for March (and will do the same again for April and May if I don’t get a permit), and am planning my site requests for when I get in on permitting. Does anyone have a favorite 3-4 night itinerary for Hermit to BA?

I’ve stayed at Hermit Creek, but it was a bit of a blur since it was my fifth and final night on the Gem trail and I was overwhelmed by all the people. (The Gems are so quiet! 😍) I’m thinking it’s best to stay at Hermit Creek the first night, rather than pushing on to Hermit Rapids.

After HC, I’ve been going in circles about the other options. I’d love to spend at least one night on the river and don’t know if Hermit Rapids or Granite Rapids is better - or if we should do both! (Or maybe camp at Monument and hike down to Granite and back without our big packs.)

I know I need to stock up on water at Monument Cr and Havasupai Gardens (and not to drink at Salt Creek or Horn Creek), but am still deciding the best places to camp along that section.

I’ve heard water at Cedar Spring is unreliable - is this true in March/April as well?

I’d love to hear about your adventures! Thanks in advance!

I'm hoping to do a lot of hiking during these few days, and would like to do at least one or two hikes that are less frequented. I'll be camping at Mather Campground in the South Rim and have not gotten a permit to camp at the bottom of the canyon, so I'm looking for day-hikes near the South Rim mostly.

I wouldn't call myself a veteran hiker, but I'm in pretty good shape at the moment and have done quite a lot of hiking. Appreciate any recommendations! Thank you.

*edit* : does anyone know of any rideshare options going from Phoenix or Flagstaff into the park?

Looking to plan about probably a 7-8 day trip from Vegas

Never been to Vegas so I plan on being there 2 days and then visiting the grand canyon area, and other sites around. I plan on renting a car and driving all over the place. I don't hike, so its more about seeing America's beauty. I am just having trouble finding out the right way to do it or the right hotels to stay at after Vegas, and for how long I should be staying at them. I am not concerned about pricing for the hotels.

Maybe see Page, Zion, Death Valley etc also ( obviously I know that is probably not possible with the amount of days )

Any help would be great

Looking at end of May

Thanks

I will be doing a day hike from the Grand Canyon south rim in November. Based on past hiking I have done this year, I wouldn't want to go beyond 4000ft elevation change, given that I'll need to walk back up at the end, when I am worn out. Total miles is not important, so long as I can complete it in one day -- before sunset.

I am looking for scenic views and a generally memorable experience -- something different from my usual southern CA hikes. I am not a fan of walking on narrow ledges next to sheer, vertical drops, such as the such as near turn off to Dripping Springs (previous trip). However, I am fine with the usual type of steep switchback terrain I regularly see on mountains and saw on other trails in my earlier Grand Canyon trip.

If not for the elevation change limit, my first choice would have been South Kaibab to River to Bright Angel, but I think 4800ft elevation change over 16 miles will be too much... or at least would make the experience much less pleasant for me. Other options I am considering include:

Which of these or other trails might be a good choice for me?

• Bright Angel to Plateau Point -- 12 miles + 3200 feet
• South Kaibab to Skeleton Point -- 6 miles + 2000 feet + 2nd Trail in a Different Area
• South Kaibab to Tonto Trail to Bright Angel -- 13 miles + 3500 feet

https://preview.redd.it/3nkgxrl80mxd1.jpg?width=1700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd57862d3ab2e2a6643ed79dc750fdb1d9062f86

https://preview.redd.it/6b31wavb0mxd1.jpg?width=1700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c8e1513ed4390a4e8e4bccbc51ae878a400955e8

I am from Florida in some what decent shape, the biggest elevation change hike we have in our local area is 2 trails one has 1700 feet of elevation gain and the other has around 800. I regularly hike 15-20 miles with 25-30 pounds in a pack. Looking to possibly do North to South in September of next year. Any suggestions?

Had an absolute blast on the dories in the canyon. Lees Ferry to Pipe Creek. Fantastic trip! Now I need to figure out when I can go back and do the rest…

My boyfriend (30 years old) and I (28 years old) are going to spend 3 days at the Grand Canyon. We will be traveling from LA, and will be staying in a motor home in Antolope Vista, Williams. We will arrive on January 25th, after an 8-hour journey. We thought about this day watching the stars, the next day we want to explore the grand canyon and the next day we will go out to Las Vegas. Does anyone have tips on what to do and where to go during this period in the Grand Canyon?

Ps: we don't have any experience with snow or driving in the snow. We are from Brasil! :)

Went down Kaibob at 9:40am today, cut through Tonto trail, and went up Bright Angel, arriving at the top at 6:40pm. Last hour was tough, using phone lights to see what was ahead of us. Luckily it didn't get very hot today, and we had proper amounts of water and food. But my legs are feeling pretty wooden right now, and I have one toenail with some light bruising on the inside. Any tips for recovering tomorrow? I have a lot of electrolyte drinks and plan to take an epsom salt bath this evening before bed, and keep my legs elevated. Anything else obvious that I'm missing? Also, any tips for the toe? Hopefully it's just semi-bruised and won't fall of entirely! TIA!

Ok folks, its happening this week - we leave for Zion! This is our plan - its rushed - but these are the places we have to see and time is limited.

Do you all see any major flaws or something that I am missing. I try to do 1 main activity each day and rest of the day.. just play by the ear. TIA

Day 1: Thus 10/31:

Arrive Las Vegas Oct 27, 2024 11:05AM

Pick up luggage (we will be checking in 2 bag) and rental car

Leave for Zion 1:45 pm ( so 2.5 hrs at the airport)

Arrive at Zion Lodge 4pm (we have reservations)

Question: If we land at 11:05am - and have to pick up luggage, car and drive to Zion - is 4pm arrival time realistic?

Day 2: Fri 11/1: Zion

Morning: Main activity: Hike to Scotts Lookout (or Angles Landing if we get the lottery): 8am to 1pm

Lunch at Zion Lodge 1-2pm

Afternoon: Head to Springdale and pick up bib for Narrows

Afternoon: Continue on to Overlook Trail

Dinner: Springdale (Zion Canyon Brew)

Day 3: Sat 11/2: Bryce

Morning: Main activity: Easy hike up the Narrows (7-11). Wrap up Zion by 12pm (Feasible? How much can we do in 2-3 hrs, including time on the shuttle)

edit: by easy I mean just see as much as we can without getting to knee+ deep water

Afternoon: Leave for Bryce at 12 and arrive at Bryce by 2 pm (Staying at Bryce Lodge)

Afternoon: Hike Queens Gardern - Navajo Loop Trail ( 3-5pm) (Is this feasible?)

 Dinner: Bryce Canyon Lodge

Day 4: Sun 11/3: Page / Grand Canyon

Morning: Main activity: See sunrise. Wrap up Bryce by 8:30am

Morning - Afternoon: Leave for Page (Antelope Canyon Tour at 11:40 PHX time)

Afternoon: Finish tour at 1:30pm, Lunch at Cameron Trading Post (Navajo Tacos!)

Afternoon-Evening: Arrive at El Tovar by 5pm for Sunset

Day 5: Mon 11/4: Grand Canyon

Morning-Afternoon: Main activity: Hike to Ooh Aah Point/Cedar Ridge (this is a bucket list item for me)

Day 6: Tue 11/5: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Morning Grand Canyon & Leave for Vegas

Depart for home, 11pm Red Eye

Shoshone

Zoroaster, Brahma

Vishnu

Hello,

I will be heading to the canyon soon. 1st time hiking anything significant in the canyon. I have 2 nights at bright angel. I am aware of the bright angel closure. My plan is to hike to BA first night and second night day hike around, maybe up the north rim and/ or ribbon falls. Then back to BA campground and out the next day via the Tonto trail to Bright Angel. I am a 50 ish year old trail runner (no ultras lately) but I run/ climb hills every other day up to 10 miles and recently completed a 14 mile steep elevation hike to 10,4000 with 4500+ feet of elevation gain as well as some overnight backpacking in the eastern sierras. Anyway, I don't care if I complete rim to rim to rim, I just want to enjoy the experience and maybe hike some of the trail. I don't need to get to the top. Trying to figure out trail distances. Does anyone know how long is the hike out from Bright Angel campground using the tonto trail to bright angel? I am keeping my pack as light as possible/ 25 pounds. thinking of ditching the stove/ propane since I can get coffee and a meal at phantom ranch. Also are you able pay for a meal once you are at phantom ranch in cash or is a reservation absolutely needed? Weather is in the 40s/ low so considering bringing my 30 degree bag and liner versus my zero bag? I will have wool layers for sleeping. Thanks everyone!

Last night, I spotted an Olios Giganteus, a type of huntsman spider. What a beaut!

Any tips on where to see something bigger from a respectful distance, like an elk, bobcat, mule deer, etc?

Hello,
Pretty in shape and a proficient hiker here. I plan on doing a "day hike" on the weekend of November 15th.

I will be camping by the south rim -> get the transcanyon shuttle to north rim and hiking from there. There will be a lot of hiking overnight, but I'm okay with that.

My original plan was to hike from North Kaibab to Bright Angel TH, but there is a portion of the Bright Angel trail that is closed until May 2025. As I was reading more about the hike, it seems to NOT be recommended due to the lack of water in that portion of the trail....

My question is:

1. How bad really is the hike from phantom ranch to South Kebab? Anyone here has experience on it?

2. I see that I could bypass the closed portion of bright angel trail by using the Tonto east trail (connecting bright Angel to south Kaibab). However, I have been unable to find information about that portion of the trail _ I'm still trying to figure out how much mileage it will add to it all....

With that in mind, I'm wondering if I should just face going up South kebab or if I should take the detour with the Tono East and go up bright angel trail.

Here is the link for the map closure: https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=7532278&id=d3edcbb5-eb8b-47b8-b37c-645a7dc5460a&gid=E210436B-94E7-40C2-9017-71F9142E6F09

Hi! My husband and I are in our late 30s and plan to hike down the Canyon floor and back. Planning to camp for 1 or 2 nights. We have a year to prep. We live in Jersey so our elevation is nothing compared to the Grand Canyon.

Any advice on critical steps we should take? How do we prepare best for the elevation difference?

We have done some online research but would really love to hear from someone who has experience.

We are in average shape. We hike and walk but are not big gym goers.

Going for a single day R2R2R next month and looking for hotels. We want to go via South Kaibab both ways since it's 6 miles shorter round trip. However, it looks like hotels are positioned closer to Bright Angel trail. Want to avoid the nearly 3 mile walk from Yavapai to the South Kaibab trailhead at likely 4am. I know there is a shuttle that goes between Yavapai and South Kaibab, but I think the earliest option leaves from the hotel at 6am (correct me if I'm wrong), and this would mean getting started in such a way that we might be hiking into the night on the way back, which we'd like to avoid (and if we get back late, there might not be shuttle service back from South Kaibab to Yavapai).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I'm doing a week long trip to tour the southwest in December with the focus on seeing the Grand Canyon.

I see that most of Bright Angel trail and the campground are closed.

I had an idea to backpack between South Kabib and Bright Angel via Tonto and camp and Havasupai Garden (there are late permits available in reservation.gov).

While at one point I was fast, young and light unfortunately now I'm slower, older, heavier. I figured with this itinerary I could go at a leisurely pace, get to camp in the Canyon and enjoy myself.

Anything I should be aware of besides icy snowy conditions? Which direction would be best? Start at S. Kabib or at Bright Angel?

Hi, so me and my friends are planning to go to Arizona Nov 4-10 and plan to visit GC but I see that some of the parts are closed? we really wanted to do rim to rim but it's looking like we may not be able to? what are some other hikes that you guys recommend? that are a challenging but beautiful.

Hey, I was hoping to hike the bright angel trail this saturday. Im solo right now, is there any good way to find a group?

My husband and I are traveling to the South Rim 12/24-12/26. Any suggestions on easy trails? We're staying at El Tovar.

My wife and I are visiting 4-23 to 25. We're hoping that week nights after spring break might be slightly less crowded. I booked a queen cabin, no view, but after looking at videos I'm concerned the bed is too small and it may be noisy. My wife is a light sleeper and we are spoiled by our king bed. I'm considering changing to Maswick or Yavapai. Both have king beds available. I would call and ask for a newer and quieter room. El Tovar has only 1 queen available. Thanks for any suggestions.

I’m in the initial stages of planning our first trip to see the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Zion and other places nearby. My biggest conundrum is length of stay at the Grand Canyon. We are not hikers, I am 68 and my wife is 73. Taking the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams gives us options of arriving around 11:00 AM and departing around 4:00 PM, or staying the night at Maswik Lodge and leaving the following afternoon. Since we won’t be hiking any trails is the overnight stay worth it? Will there be enough to do to warrant staying over? I imagine the views are spectacular but I don’t want my wife to get bored. I was looking at mid May next year before the crowds get too crazy and it gets too hot. Any suggestions or recommendations you can share will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,

Just booked my trip for a first time visit to the GC. Just to clarify for myself, there are portions of this particular hike that are going to be closed (from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge), right?

South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/south-kaibab-phantom-ranch-and-bright-angel-trail-loop?sh=ac1gso

Whereas this is fully accessible:

South Kaibab Trail, Tonto Trail, and Bright Angel Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/south-kaibab-tonto-and-bright-angel-trail?sh=ac1gso

Just trying to alter my sight seeing a bit. I think I understand though.

Thank you! 🙏🏻

Hey all,

Has anybody been out to North Bass Trailhead recently and knows the road conditions right now? Hoping to head out there on Nov 1 in a Subaru Outback Wilderness, have a decent amount of desert driving experience but I of course know that road conditions can change very quickly. Thanks for any advice.