Suggestions for good Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike

[bairn7]

Hi guys

I'm starting to plan my summer NV/AZ trip. I'm planning on hiking/camping in Grand Canyon again (I did this for the first time last year).

Last year I hiked the North Kaibab trail to Bright Angel Camp then hiked back up North Kaibab the next day. I did suffer a bit at the end with dehydration but I've learned my lesson (I actually thought I was drinking too much on the way up!!).

This year, I've talked a friend into coming to the States with me so he is going to drop me off at North Rim and Pick me up at South rim the next day. I was just going to do North/South Kaibab but the South Kaibab trail seems a bit short. So I'm thinking provisionally either:

a) Bright angel camp-south kaibab-tonto-bright angel trail OR

b) Bright angel camp-tonto-grandview.

Does anyone have experience of these routes? I'm looking for an overall route thats similar in distance (28 miles) and difficulty (maybe even a little more difficult) than my north kaibab out and back trip last year.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks
Paul

[natchez]

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum :) Just wanted to say that I hope you will enjoy the forum and hope you will find all the information here you are looking for :)

[bairn7]

Thanks natchez,

Everyone on here was really helpful when planning my trip last year so I knew to come back here! :)

[natchez]

Bairn7, I just saw another member "scottcundy" here has experience hiking the Grand Canyon. I hope he will see this thread and react :)

[sonny]

Hi Bairn7, I have been on South Rim to Phantom Ranch back to South Rim once. South rim is about a thousand feet lower than the north (4500 feet elevation gain vs. 5500) so can't match the trail difficulty. I think the Bright Angel Trail is really cool and challenging going up on those switchbacks the last mile. Weather permitting, I'll be on that trail on March 1st and will try to post my trail report after coming back. I'm concerned about ice and looks like it all depends on weather around those days.

Nice to make acquaintance with you on this Forum and happy hiking!

[DuctTape]

Hi Paul,

Your option A sounds like a good hike, but I would throw option B out the window. Bright Angel Campground to the Grandview trailhead must be 20-30 miles, and there's virtually no water for the entire distance. I went down Grandview, across Tonto and up South Kaibab in September, booked two nights to do it, and the rangers were hesitant in giving me the permit because of the lack of water, heat, and "agressive" schedule(They wanted me to at least add a third night, or choose a different route).

There is so much to see at the canyon that I don't understand why you'd want to hike the North Kaibab again. I think your best option would be to split up your experience into two day hikes from the south rim. It's logistically much more convenient, easier hiking with less weight, and personally I don't think the crowded bright angel camp offers a backcountry experience to be missed.

The first day hike could be down the South Kaibab, across Tonto, and up the Bright Angel Trail, with a little side trip to Plateau Point. This way you see the majority of both south rim corridor trails, get a taste of the Tonto, and a great view from the point to satisfy your taste for the river.

The next day hike could be the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, and back. Grandview Trail is really cool. There's a 100 year old copper mine at the mesa with lots of old rusted artifacts, and the natural Cave of the Domes. The mesa is shaped like a "U" with awesome vistas at both tips of the horseshoe. Definitely worth checking out.

If you're set on a true overnight backpacking experience with similar distance and difficulty to rim-to-rim, I would suggest going down the Hermit Trail, overnight somewhere along the Tonto or at one of the drainages along the river, and out the Bright Angel Trail. This is a great hike, but be prepared to carry and purify water, as you won't find the handy faucets that you do along the corridor trails.

Hope this helps

http://www.hikingforums.net/components/com_joomlaboard/uploaded/images/gc347.JPG
Bright Angel Trail in the evening

[NormKern]

South Kaibab to Tonto to Bright Angel will add miles over just taking the Bright Angel all the way but you will be trading a shaded morning walk along the river for a longer exposed midday walk on the Tonto complete with Black Brush scratching your legs and monotonous contouring around Pipe creek and all it's side canyons.