I'm planning on doing a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip with 5 friends in the Grand Canyon in mid-March and I'm currently trying to decide between a few different routes. My first choice was "Hermit loop" but all of the sites were all booked up. Instead, I managed to snag permits for this itinerary: New Hance --> Tonto --> Grandview. We would camp the first night on the South Rim, get an early start the next day and camp at Hance rapids that night. The second day we'd hike along the Tonto Trail and camp at Horseshoe Mesa. The last day we'd hike out of the canyon up to Grandview point.

Hance seems like a challenging trail but we're all experienced backpackers so I'm not worried. (A couple of us have done a few Grand Canyon trips in the past, as well).

Alternatively, I was considering canceling my current permits and getting a permit to go Grandview --> Tonto --> South Kaibab. Obviously this would be more of a challenge to complete in 3 days, but I've heard this route is pretty amazing. As far as camping goes for this route, I would try to stay first night at a dispersed site in Cottonwood Creek (BG9) or Grapevine (BH9), the second night either in BH9 or Cremation (BJ9), and then hike up South Kaibab on the final day. Is this a stupid itinerary?

I would greatly appreciate any advice on either of these routes or recommendations for an alternate route. Obviously given that it's already December 1, most of the popular stuff is booked up. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I meant to say i’m NOT worried about New Hance 🤦

New Hance. Best views, most breath taking drops and spectacular scenery the whole way down. Most dangerous too. Sometimes, after you hit that spot where you THINK it’s easy going, the spring is running. Sometimes it isn’t. Bring enough water to hit the river. It’s not easy from the spring, by the way. Great trail. Great views all the way. Red Canyon is gorgeous. Bring good foot wear. Unmaintained trail is an understatement. In fact, when John Hance took a tourist down it in the early 19-0’s, the guy stated then it was wild to call it a “maintained trail”. You’ve got the start, all good. Steep, but solid. You hit the saddle? Well it gets easier for a time. Simple switch backs through a forested rock slide. You come out of that? You’re stepping down the stairs of Ungoliath. 1,000 foot drops on either side. Rail thin trail. My boots have always been a little slippery and the 35 lbs pack never helped. But wow, that’s a scary part. After that there’s some camp areas. On a big red bluff. Is it actually called “Red Bluff”? Either way. You THINK you’re getting close to the endpoint. No. That’s the TOP of the inner gorge. Holy shit, you gotta walk across that scree. The red shale that covers everything until you hit the next wash. It’s slick. And then BAM! You’re in a wash! If you’re like us the first time “cool follow this to the river”. Anyway, no, 500 feet to go buddy. Walked to the edge of a cliff (out of water, lost, third time in the canyon, my dad, mom, myself) and my dad says “fuck…. Umm this isn’t the bottom which means I read the topo wrong. We’re lost. So we dry camp a little further a long. Wake up to the sound of bubbling water from the spring.

Spring was not running the next year. Anyway Bright Angel is a great intro to the magnificent Canyon. If you can, get in to it. Drop below, away from the crowds. Get lost in that wilderness. Enjoy it.

Hi,

Will be driving North from Flagstaff to Las Vegas over the new week.

How're the South and North Rim at the moment? I understand the roads to the North will close - but not yet.

Would like to do some hiking, but ideally not if it's too icy, or full of people.

hi all! im going to be visiting phoenix in the first week of January and would love to visit the grand canyon. off of some preliminary research, it seems like it may or may not be worth it since ive heard it can be completely covered in snow. for those who have been, is it worth the drive? if so, what trails did you hit up and what were the logistics behind it? thanks so much!!

Hello Grand Canyon peeps. Looking for some advice.

My friend and I are looking for a challenging route in the canyon for a 2-3 day fast pack situation. We did Escalante route last year in a day and a half and had an absolute blast.

This year looking for something with maybe one more night and more challenging. We can do some canyoneering and off trail stuff. We both are ex mountain guides and have the technical experience and fitness, but we have little kids so we don't want to do anything too crazy or life threatening (just soul threatening). Something with a packraft would be possible too. What are your favorite sufferfest routes outside of the more travelled routes? Rim to rim to rim would certainly suck but not really our jam. Appreciate it!

I took this shot a few years ago when visiting GCNP. If I remember correctly this was along the south rim, close to the Watchtower, but I may be misremembering it's location. Help?

What is this building?

Just had a trip to the grand Canyon from Ohio. I love caves out here in the East, so naturally I wondered about the Grand Canyon. Apparently there's only one cave you can legally enter here, Cave of the Domes? But all the information I can find on it is 3+ years old, and the only concrete thing I have on its existence is a website from 2016 saying it was closed due to bat season. Google Maps can't find it. Does anyone have decent info on this place, and where the trail is to get to it?

Is there anyone hiking at the Grand Canyon tomorrow for Thanksgiving?

For anyone that’s already hiked it on Thanksgiving day in the past, where did you get your permits and how did you arrange shuttle transportation (like to the S Kaibab trail)?

It’s my first time out here and am looking for tips for a successful hike out to the river and back!

Hi! A group of friends and I are considering a day hike into the Grand Canyon next year (End of May, early June) as our middle-age crisis fix. I consider myself ok fit (workout 4 times a week, mostly strength training and cycling, but have bad knees), but I’m also overweight.

I recently did Camelback as my first hike after the summer and it took me 1hr and a half and it was harder than I expected. At some point had to stop for a few minutes to wait for my heart rate to settle down, but surprisingly my legs were perfectly strong to handle it (I wasn’t even sore next day) it was my stamina that let me down.

The questions I have for those who had done it:

1. What trails you recommend for training near or in Phoenix?

2. What would you consider a good benchmark to say, “yes I can do this in one day”? I heard that 2 loops of Camelback in 3 hrs is ok, but would love to hear more opinions.

Thank you in advance!

Clear Creek does not disappoint even after a dry year! Absolutely breathtaking.

I was on the Escalante Route doing it as an overnight (I'd already done it but I would still recommend taking significantly more time) from Tanner -> Grandview. It was raining before this and it was winter so I was starting to feel a bit down in the dumps. Turned around to catch the view in what I'm guessing was Mineral Canyon and took my favorite picture of Vishnu Temple! Rain cleared up soon after. The canyon giveth, the canyon taketh away.

Hi all,

We are planning to do a 2 week roadtrip through California, Nevada & Arizona and obviously a visit to the Grand Canyon can’t miss… First of all I wonder, the official park website mentions that all the trails open from the 15th of May, while I see many posts around here mentioning visits during winter etc. So the trails are open throughout the year, or? And what is everyone’s experience with the ‘’expected’’ opening time? We plan to visit the Grand Canyon around the 22nd of May and it would be a huge disappointment if the trails are not open.. is a later opening possible?

Second of all, please feel free to shoot at our itinerary! We are not big hikers and don’t want to camp etc.. preferably we would like to see the highlights and that will be sufficient for us.

Day 1 Bright Angel Trail till 3mile house, Powell, Hopi and Mohave point

Day 2 South Kaibab Trail till ooh aah point, Mather point, visitor center

Day 3 No plans yet, we plan to stay till around noon in Grand Canyon.

Any tips / advice? Did we miss something big?

Many thanks in advance!

We’re from Phoenix and doing a Flagstaff trip in December. We have a four year old and a baby. Would it be worth it to see the Grand Canyon this time? We know it’s cold, we are all fine with that but is there much to do other than an easy hike for a small child? She’s easily entertained and likes exploring. I’ve been before, husband wants to see it but wondering if we should wait until the kids are older. The baby doesn’t care what we do, really just thinking about the four year old here!

Hi y'all! I'll be in Vegas for 7 days and plan to purchase these four tours. I don't drive. All tours start and end in Vegas. Could you let me know if this is overkill? If so, which one should I cut out?

1. South Rim tour, travels over the Hoover Dam bridge, photo opp at Mather Point

2. Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook (let me know if I should swap out Lower with Canyon X)

3. Grand Canyon West with skywalk, stop at Hoover Dam

4. Zion and Bryce Canyon

Thank you so much for your help. I am clueless about the Southwest.

Hi there- planning a trip to the Canyon for the first time. It’ll be me, hubby and my dog. I travel with my dog everywhere but not sure how to plan for this trip. Any help would be much appreciated.

So a buddy and I are wanting to do a R2R2R hike over four days. Granted we had hoped to camp 2 nights in the canyon, and all of this depends on permits.

Here was the rough idea: Day 1: Bright Angel to Cottonwood (camp) Day 2: Cottonwood to North Rim (camp or lodge) Day 3: North Rim to Bright Angel (camp) Day 4: Bright Angel to South Rim via S Kaibab

Not sure the likelihood of actually getting those permits in Sept, nor are we sure what accommodations there are for camping/lodging on the North End.

We realize it is a long day on 1 and 3, but we think doing that will have us more rested and ready for the long slog up to the rim.

Also, if either/both of us were not in good health, we would do S to N and shuttle back and not attempt the trek back.

I am planning to take a guided day tour from Vegas to Grand Canyon. I have the option to include Sky Walk visit or take a 15 min helicopter ride across the canyon. The heli ride of course costs way more, but which option is worth going for? Any recommendations?

How's the crowds from Christmas to New Year's? Have a house in Williams for 7 days. Also wondering about South Kibab that time of year, like is it open.

Thanks yall!!!!

I would like to know if the following itinerary makes sense for a 5-day trip starting on November 27:

Day 1: Las Vegas to Death Valley - Start Drive 6 or 7 am latest.

• Dante's View, Zabriskie Point, Ubehebe Crater, Mesquite Flats, Charcoal Kilns, Badwater Basin
• Activities: Golden Canyon Loop (longer loop) and Badlands Loop (shorter loop). Hike near Ubehebe Crater.
• Stay in Pahrump, NV.

Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon

• Along the way, stop at Valley of Fire (spend 2-3 hours, short hike), Hoover Dam
• Arrive in Williams, AZ late evening

Day 3: Grand Canyon South Rim

• Drive to South Rim
• Hikes:
  • South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point
  • Trail of Time
  • Bright Angel Trail (check with Visitor Center for which section is open)

Day 4: Petrified Forest and Sedona

• Visit Petrified Forest National Park (drive-through)
• Continue to Sedona for overnight stay

Day 5: Drive to Las Vegas

• Drive back to Las Vegas

Questions:

1. Any places/ hikes you would recommend adding to the list?
2. Is going to Death Valley reasonable, or should I skip it and go to Zion and Bryce instead?
3. Recommendation for places to eat?

Got a job with the park service, starting mid December.

I’m not a newbie to cold winters but I suspect it’s different here. What do I need to know?

How does everyone have sex on a guided trip? Privacy?