• Backpacking in a remote desert wilderness environment with towering colorful canyon walls
• Sleeping out in a dry, bug free (usually) environment under stars that, far from the glare of city lights, are unbelievably bright
• Seeing bighorn sheep, mule deer, tufted ear squirrels, and ringtail cats
• Exploring side canyons and learning about canyon ecology and geology
• Experiencing the Canyon in a way that few people ever do

The Grand Canyon is truly one of the wonders of the world. And while standing at the rim is awe-inspiring, simply gazing at the Canyon is not sufficient to gain an understanding of how truly monumental it is. It really is a wilderness, and once you leave the crowds at the rim and hike away from the major trails into the backcountry, you will be amazed at the solitude, the sense of remoteness, and your own insignificance.

women in very good condition who enjoy backpacking or who want to learn more about backpacking. Our trek involves early mornings, strenuous hiking-including carrying 35- to 45-pound packs, significant elevation gain and loss, and hot temperatures. If you have not backpacked before, please call us before you register for the trip. Although the mileage on most days is not long, it is more strenuous hiking than most people are used to. Please do not underestimate the difficulty of this trip.

• one night at Mather campground on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
• five nights wilderness camping
• one night at Maswik Lodge on the South Rim

 

• experienced guides
• one nights motel lodging and six nights camping
• all meals from dinner Saturday to dinner the following Friday
• group camping and cooking equipment
• permits
• transportation to the Canyon is not included and we'll be glad to help arrange carpools from Phoenix and/or Flagstaff

arrive at Mather campground by 2 pm on October 3. There is a lot to do this first afternoon so please be timely.

you are free to leave anytime on October 10

trip description, packing list and notes on packing list , General Information

Our specific route is not guaranteed until we have our permit. The route described is one we have done frequently in the past.

October 3: Our journey begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mather Campgrpund on the South Rim. We'll spend the afternoon reviewing important safety considerations, buying any last moment items, and preparing for our hike.

October 4: We hike into the canyon along the Grandview Trail, one of the classic South Rim trails. Although it is only three miles, it is steep and exposed in places and feels longer. But it is well worth it as Horseshoe Mesa is wide, flat, and has great views. Miners used to live here and the ruins of an old house remind us just how stark their lives must have been. 3 miles. Those who want more hiking can accompany the guide to get water at Miner Springs for an additional 3 miles.

October 5: Our goal today is Cottonwood Creek (not to be confused with Cottonwood Campground). Although only 1.5 miles, the path down is rugged and we marvel at the engineering that went into the path. After lunch you have an option to explore down canyon (great fun, as you pick out routes that aren't always immediately obvious) or just to kick back and relax for the afternoon. 1.5 miles.

October 6: The next three days are spent traversing across the Tonto Plateau, which is relatively flat and full of brittle bush. The views are magnificent and it is a perfect place to practice using a map and compass. Grapevine is one of the largest side canyons in the Grand Canyon and it seems as if it takes hours from the time we first see it to our campsite at the mouth. Once there, another opportunity to explore down canyon awaits. 5.5 miles and about 5 hours.

October 7: Today's hike to Lonetree Canyon takes 6-7 hours hiking. Particularly if the day is hot, we get up early to take advantage of the cool mornings. We hike to Boulder Canyon where we enjoy lunch and a long siesta. After the hottest part of the day is over, we continue to Lonetree Canyon. Like all the canyons, Lonetree is unique and tonight you'll get to experience how surprisingly comfortable sleeping on rock slabs can be. 8.7 miles

October 8: Today we take the morning to relax or to explore Lonetree Canyon. Initially it's very dense with trees and then opens out to reveal a broad canyon that may have streams running through it. After exploring for a couple of hours, we pump alot of water as our next camp is dry. With our packs full of water (thankfully we've eaten a lot of the food we were carrying earlier) we leave after lunch and hike 2.5 - 4 hours, depending on which arm of Cremation Canyon we camp in.

October 9: This morning we get up very early and start hiking about 6 am. Once we reach the Kaibab Trail it's full of people and all uphill: with a distance of about 6.5 miles and 3000 feet elevation, it's a challenging (but gorgeous) hike out. We get out of the canyon sometime around noon and spend our last night experiencing culture shock on the South Rim. On the other hand, hot showers, cold drinks, and a soft bed help us to re-acclimate to civilization.

October 10: You are free to leave anytime this morning.