Hiking the Grand Canyon

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Messages 21 - 40 of total 49 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
brat

climber
El Portal
May 22, 2013 - 01:34am PT
The Hermit is awesome!

Don't forget salty snacks. I did a Grand Canyon mission with dried fruit and bars and I was hating life. Salty snacks help you balance electrolytes with all the water you'll drink. Consider electrolyte replacement drink mix.
Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
May 22, 2013 - 01:47am PT
No problem. Little old ladies do it - with water. It is a tad tougher than climbing a mountain with similar vertical since you have to go up after hammering your quads on the descent.
Prod

Trad climber
May 22, 2013 - 07:45pm PT
I'd avoid the crowds and do the Tanner Trail or the South Bass Trail.

Prod.
labrat

Trad climber
Auburn, CA
May 22, 2013 - 08:02pm PT
It's too nice a place to rush. Go when you have more time. Thanksgiving. Cooler. Almost no people. Maybe a little ice.

It will be too hot.

My two cents. I don't want you to die from heat stroke.....

Erik
the albatross

Gym climber
Flagstaff
May 22, 2013 - 11:39pm PT
Don't forget the altitude, 7000' at the start and finish line. Like another desert rat said, these aren't easy miles. You might start out with a jacket and beanie on in the morning, but it will be well over 100 degrees at the river and the latter half of your hike. The sun out here is crippling blue and withering. Bring your shades and sun hat and sunscreen.

People get hurt and rescued and some die down there all the time. Especially this time of year on an annual basis. Trying to go to the river and back in a day. It is easy to get in over your head in the Canyon, hiking downhill and all. There is a cutoff trail on the Tonto platform, though mind-numbing hot, will cut miles off that hike if need be.

That said, it's a great hike you mentioned and it gets done regularly. If I had to do it right now, I would consider an umbrella, a mister (spray bottle of H20), at least a gallon of water (preferably frozen), long sleeves and a nice selection of snacks and lunch foods. Be ready for much, much more than what appears on the map in many more ways than can be explained.

Enjoy your hike,
Albert
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
May 23, 2013 - 01:42pm PT
I've done it lots of times, both as back packing trips, day trips and trail runs. I won't add anything to the good advice above but would suggest sticking to the Bright Angel / S. Kaibab route. It's nice to be able to cross the river at the bottom on the bridge and check out Phantom Ranch and all that. Indian Gardens is a great rest stop as well, with nice shade trees and water.

The other trails have a much more rugged and remote feel- which is great but maybe not the best for a first timer on a day trip in June.

Have fun!
Macronut

Trad climber
Fresno, Ca
May 23, 2013 - 04:02pm PT
Yes. There is a shuttle that will take from the Bright Angel Trailhead to Kaibab. However, you will need to change buses at the visit center. There are two or three seperate bus routes with different buses. So you will need to know which one goes where. Just got back from there with the family. Check out the pictograms just before the last tunnel as you are returning to the trail going up the Bright Angel Trail.
Osprey

climber
May 24, 2013 - 12:12am PT
The last shuttle to Kiabab is just after sunset. most of the seasoned locals would do the 2-4 am start for that loop this time of year. Enjoy!
hollyclimber

Big Wall climber
North Rim, AZ
May 24, 2013 - 12:26am PT
Great idea posted above that we use - get a go-lite umbrella (silver). I heard they are on sale for $20 right now. We use them and they help a lot.
Prod

Trad climber
May 24, 2013 - 08:55am PT
get a go-lite umbrella

Sort of defeats the company name.

Prod.
lucander

Trad climber
Shawangunks, New York
May 24, 2013 - 11:35am PT
I've done several hikes in the Canyon, including a few rim/rim daytrips. In this kind of heat I'd recommend hiking in early, lounging in the creeks at the bottom, and hiking out late under headlamp.
Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
May 24, 2013 - 11:56am PT

There is a balancing act between comfort and scenery. I like seeing the place since I may not visit very often. As much as it maximizes comfort to travel in the dark, you will miss the sights. You can plan it such that you aren't in the peak heat of the day.

The shuttle works well.

2012 I went in April, and the first two miles were covered in hard snow, and the bottom was summertime. Even though I moved with purpose (hiked fast), I could truly enjoy the changing scenery. It is well worth spending the day to go up and down. So many visitors never leave the rim. THeir perspective on the canyon is completely different. You need to go hike it - even if you have limited time.
martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2013 - 12:29pm PT
So, down Kaibab and up Bright Angel or visa versa?
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
May 24, 2013 - 12:49pm PT
I'd go up the BA because you can re water at Indian Gardens and/or hang there to wait for the heat of the day to pass.
bobinc

Trad climber
Portland, Or
May 24, 2013 - 01:56pm PT
BA is also somewhat more humane on way up... same elevation gain as SK but you get more trail to do it...
Sagebrusher

Sport climber
Iowa
May 24, 2013 - 03:12pm PT
BTW, you can now preview your whole route on Google Streetview! I hope they do the Nankoweap Trail someday :)

Near the top of the South Kaibab:

http://goo.gl/maps/97GXj

And a brutal stretch of the SK that would not be fun to go up in 100 degree heat:

http://goo.gl/maps/I3lAf
the albatross

Gym climber
Flagstaff
May 24, 2013 - 09:19pm PT
Some great ideas in this thread.

I've got a GoLite umbrella, the $3 walmart one works almost as well. It is wise to carry one's own shade around these parts. Savvy hikers know to rest in the shady areas created by the many cliffs and crags along this route.

I should mention the wind which might be a factor next week. Just be ready for rather cool temps here and there, and mostly lots of heat and crippling light for much of the hike. You will likely experience a 60+ degree temp change from morning till noon.

You will pass a number of signs which warn of the many deaths which have occurred from people attempting to hike to the river and back in a day. I've no idea your level of fitness, but this place should not be underestimated. High altitude, extreme temps, gusty winds and fairly rugged hiking make for a fairly inhumane landscape. And the sun. It might be tempting to jump in the river to cool, it is ill advised, many have been swept to their demise.

There are few places on Earth which make me more humble then standing beside the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Looking up at those incomprehensible walls, the sky, river and all the colors and the heat or the cold. There is no place like it I've found.

Let us know how the hike works out. It is a Grand place!
Osprey

climber
May 24, 2013 - 11:13pm PT
8:08 PM and the moon is just starting to show through the trees. The thermometer outside the window of my house on the south rim reading 64*F. 25% humidity. Perfect time to set off on a wonderful stroll through the park. Peace
martygarrison

Trad climber
Washington DC
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 5, 2013 - 08:23pm PT
Ok here we are at the Canyon. We hike the Narrows top down on Monday (16 miles, 11 hours). Drove here and took a rest day. Tomorrow is our Canyon hike. Forecast is 84 at the rim, 103 at the floor. Our plan is to be at South Kaibab trial head at 5am. We are planning 3.5 to 4 hours to the bridge, take a short rest and back up the SK trail. My logic is that we need to get out of the lower canyon heat as fast as possible and the BA trail is around an additional 3.5 miles (17 v 13.5 if you turn around at the bridge). 5 liters per person, w electrolytes added. Breakfast on the shuttle, lunch at the river, snacks all along the way.

Sound reasonable?
labrat

Trad climber
Auburn, CA
Jun 5, 2013 - 09:24pm PT
No.

Have fun anyway! :-)

Erik
Messages 21 - 40 of total 49 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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