Len & Eric's Grand (Canyon) Adventure

[Danehunter]

I have to say that while that was a beautiful mule deer we saw, later deer sightings were of emaciated deer that were wasting away.

We wondered about the starving deer and were told at Phantom Ranch by some staff that the deer eat plastic bags and the bags block their intestines, keeping them from being able to digest regular forage. Very sad that people in this beautiful spot would throw trash out on the trail and cause this tragic end for wildlife.

Eric B.

 

[Danehunter]

I recall that my "1st day pack" with all food and water weighed in at 29 lbs. if my bathroom scales are accurate.

Eric B.

 

[LaHunter]

What was the temp range during your hike? I notice you guys did your hike in early November. I have read that the temps can get extreme during the summer.

How did you work out the logistics of either getting your vehicle from your starting location, or getting dropped off there by shuttle?

Sounds like an awesome experience.

 

[Danehunter]

Len contracted a shuttle service to take us from the South Rim through the Navajo res. to the North Rim.

It was 42 F. on the North Rim at 10 AM when we started so we added extra layers, but quickly warmed up as we descended. Len picked a good time to hike the Grand Canyon so we never had any temperature extremes. The last night at Indian Garden was a bit cool, in the 40s, but not cold.

Eric B.

 

[LaHunter]

Thanks for the reply. That is something I would like to do. Looks like awesome country.

 

[Guy M]

Just stumbled across this post from nearly a year ago!

And, last spring was my first look at the Grand Canyon. I was impressed. Hiked some of the Bright Angel Trail (along with a thousand other people) and was impressed with the backpacking & hiking possibilities. Ya, I'd want a light pack... Beautiful area, not sure why I waited until age 62 to go see the Grand Canyon.

Thanks for sharing the trip with us. Regards, Guy

 

[Danehunter]

Guy,
I hadn't waited until I was 74 (Nov. 2017). I did it on other trails when I was 68. It felt much easier at 68!

Eric B.

 

[LaHunter]

Hey Len, can you please shoot me a pm. I can't seem to figure out how to send one your way. The option doesn't show up when I click on your name. I have a couple questions about the logistics / planning of your Grand Canyon rim to rim hike.

Thank You

 

[LaHunter]

Well guys, you inspired me to do a rim to rim hike of the Grand Canyon. Just completed it on the 17th. Incredible experience and a pretty challenging hike. We did one overnight in the bottom at the Bright Angel campground and ate at Phantom Ranch, which was really cool. Ironically, the 14+ miles (nearly 6,000' of elevation loss) of downhill on day one was harder than the 9+ mile uphill (nearly 5,000' of elevation gain) to the top of the south rim on day two. We were physically spent when we reached the top. We are now kicking around the idea of going to Zion NP in the future.

I appreciate you starting this thread.

 

[Len Backus]

LaHunter

Well done!

 

[Danehunter]

Two days North Rim to South Rim is a very tough hike!
4 days was fast enough for me.
Eric B.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Sorry to dig up an old post but you guys are inspiring me. My wife and I went to the Grand Canyon around 2007. I wanted to do a rim to rim but there was no way I was going to let her drive by herself from the North Rim to the South Rim, and I didn't have the foresight to arrange for a shuttle service.

I ended up doing the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch where I had "the coldest beer in the canyon," (a Tecate) and I went back up the Bright Angel Trail. I couldn't believe the number of people at Indian Garden and what some of them were wearing for clothing and footwear. I actually saw one lady in heels. It was obvious that they had not considered that it was going to be much more difficult on the way out (about 4.5 miles and 2900 feet elevation gain).

After that trip, I thought that I needed to go back and do the rim to rim hike while my skinny legs could still carry me. However, as years have passed, that thought faded. Your photos have rekindled my desire, and the rim to rim trip has definitely moved up on my bucket list.

 

[Danehunter]

West Virginian, GO FOR IT!

 

[LaHunter]

Sorry to dig up an old post but you guys are inspiring me. My wife and I went to the Grand Canyon around 2007. I wanted to do a rim to rim but there was no way I was going to let her drive by herself from the North Rim to the South Rim, and I didn't have the foresight to arrange for a shuttle service.

I ended up doing the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch where I had "the coldest beer in the canyon," (a Tecate) and I went back up the Bright Angel Trail. I couldn't believe the number of people at Indian Garden and what some of them were wearing for clothing and footwear. I actually saw one lady in heels. It was obvious that they had not considered that it was going to be much more difficult on the way out (about 4.5 miles and 2900 feet elevation gain).

After that trip, I thought that I needed to go back and do the rim to rim hike while my skinny legs could still carry me. However, as years have passed, that thought faded. Your photos have rekindled my desire, and the rim to rim trip has definitely moved up on my bucket list.

I highly recommend doing the rim to rim hike. It is an experience that will stay with you forever. I did it with my daughter and son in law, and I am glad I was able to share the experience with them. I would like to do it again, but I doubt that I will do it in two days again. 3 or 4 days is probably ideal, so you can hike at a comfortable / slower pace and see / experience everything and get lots of photos.
Staying at the N. Rim Lodge for a day or so would be good too, the view is amazing and there are trails on the N. Rim that you can hike before going down into the canyon.
Eating supper at Phantom Ranch was a highlight too. You get to eat a home cooked meal with people from all over the U.S. and get to know them. Also, the staff gives you a little pre meal history of the Grand Canyon too. There were about 25-30 people eating when we were there and we all sang Happy Birthday to an 80 year old man that had been hiking the Grand Canyon for the past 50 years. That was pretty awesome.