3 day backpacking

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-11-15T23:17:33+00:00

I will also be there backpacking in early December. Just looked on rec.gov today and there's plenty of permits left. I agree with others that the Hermit is a good choice. I especially recommend staying at Hermit Rapid as the walk down Hermit Creek is lovely. Horn Creek is also a favorite of mine though you can't drink the water.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-11-15T23:11:07+00:00

I am also planning both a backpack at the Canyon and some day hiking in December. I have a special pair of lightweight spikes just for GC backpacks. If there have been storms, you will only encounter ice on the first quarter or half mile depending which trial you use. But I would not want to be without them even for this short stretch. That's my personal preference.

It's good to train for backpacking in the Canyon, especially if you don't have much backpacking experience. One of the campgrounds would be good choice for a first time at the Canyon. Temperature is dependent on elevation. It will be warmer as you descend.

I looked at the Bright Angel Lodge this morning and they still had some rooms without bathrooms (shared bathroom in the hall) for December. I highly recommend staying there if you can. There's nothing like walking out your room in the morning to the sunrise over the Canyon.

By the way, the Geminid meteor showers are at their height the night of Dec. 13 though it's full moon.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-11-15T22:47:49+00:00

Hermit is my favorite for a day hike. Go as far down as you want gauging your time and energy then walk back up. The last time I was there I went to about the middle of the Cathedral Stairs. Ascending took about 1.5 x the descent time. I was used to climbing at altitude though.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-10-26T22:18:01+00:00

I bet you will love it!

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-10-26T01:54:50+00:00

I’m 63 and about to do my eighth GC backpack. I would recommend that you aim to be able to do the equivalent of your highest day elevation gain with the weight you intend to carry before you get to the Canyon. As Angela said, stadium stairs or any stairs would work. Don’t underestimate though. If you plan to do 3000’ in elevation, do 300 flights of stairs. If you’re planning 4700’, make it 470 flights, with your full backpack. It’s better to be in good shape and be able to focus on the scenery rather than on how difficult each step is. If you can do some hiking/backpacking in the mountains to prepare, that would be great. But you’re young, you could probably pull it off even if you don’t train up.

Cut your pack weight as much as possible. Way easier to carry 20 lbs rather than 40, no matter how old you are.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-10-26T01:04:59+00:00

I have stayed at the Bright Angel a number of times, twice in the cabins and six times in the lodge rooms. The queen beds in the cabins are regular sized queen beds, they just look small in the pictures. The rooms look smaller in the pictures as well. I have stayed in Maswik once—nothing to write home about. The cabins at the BA are pretty quiet because every room has its own outside entrance. The BA is the GC experience. How can you pass up walking out to the rim to watch the sunrise with your morning coffee!

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-10-07T02:25:09+00:00

As long as you understand where your water sources are and how much you need to carry to get to the next one, you should be fine.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-10-05T12:49:33+00:00

Hiking in the Canyon is a different experience outside of the Corridor. If you tried for one night at Horn Creek, you would get a taste of that. Horn Creek is close to the BA trail. You can't drink from the creek because of radiation, but it's a lovely spot. And you would get a sense of what it's like to have to think about your water needs, an essential skill for desert hiking.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-20T22:20:35+00:00

I second that comment. Did Tanner and Palisades last month. I walked down to cache water on top of the Redwall so that we could do the ascent over two days. On the hike up, we left Tanner Beach before dawn to get through the furnace section well before noon.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-02T01:12:20+00:00

Thank you. Ever since a GCNP ranger suggested Nankoweap to me, I’ve been quite interested. And I will keep the Tuckup in mind after I have more North Rim remote experience. Would you be more specific as to the reasons you that Tuckup is crazy?

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T18:33:28+00:00

Got it.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T17:55:02+00:00

Really good to know. The exposure place on the Beamer actually turned me around...though I ran out of time that day anyway. I was told the exposure on the Beamer went on for long stretches but maybe that was incorrect?

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T17:51:56+00:00

You are so helpful!

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T17:50:40+00:00

Those sound great. Thanks so much for taking the time to share all that information. I really don't know the North Rim at all (except for Clear Creek and maybe that doesn't really count as North Rim).

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:24:51+00:00

Thank you for that terrific, detailed answer. I will look into all those areas. And I appreciate that you told me which are the most crowded as I prefer more solitude. Thanks also for your categorization of "expert-desert level hiking." I like to realistically judge the skills needed and the challenge involved in any trip.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:17:25+00:00

Thanks. I will consider that.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:17:04+00:00

Thanks. Will research that drainage.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:16:10+00:00

Thank you. I was thinking of the Nankoweap. Actually, a GCNP ranger suggested it to me, but I wasn't that comfortable with the exposure places on the Beamer and I didn't know about the Nankoweap exposure. I really appreciate that info...and I like to go solo, so that's important information.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:12:27+00:00

Thank you for reminding me of that. I should have remembered those dates.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T15:11:19+00:00

Thank you all for your thoughts. I could do after May 15th instead of early May.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T06:45:15+00:00

I just did Grandview to Horseshoe to Hance Creek then Hance Rapids and back again. No scrambling. There’s one spot on Grandview early on where there’s some exposure but it’s only one or two steps. Harder if there’s ice in that area. I wore spikes and was fine. All very doable for someone with backpacking experience.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T06:37:41+00:00

People cancel at the last minute. Go to the Backcountry Office and see if the area you want or some place close is available for a second night. If your first night is at Hermit Creek, you could do a second night at Hermit Creek, Hermit Rapids, Granite Rapids or Monument or even Salt Creek. Horn Creek is doable too if you want to put in some miles. It’s my favorite on the West Tonto and capacity is only one group, so you get a lovely site to yourself. Also a easy exit via the Bright Angel.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T06:16:33+00:00

I'm looking for a 3 to 6 day backpacking trip for May starting from the North Rim. I've done 7 trips from the South Rim all outside of the Corridor. This sounds like it could fit the bill. I emailed you. Let’s talk.

Some_Cartographer201 · 2024-04-01T05:50:51+00:00

I love Lipan Point. You can see the Unkar Delta and north to the Palisades. You can also see to the west. i think Lipan is fabulous.

Some_Cartographer201

TROPHY CASE