camping picnic backpack image
skydiving_
I am planning an overnight camping trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Any advice on how to get started? I am looking to hike in and ste up a campsite (rough it) and hike back out the next day.
Answer
I assume you are talking about hiking into the canyon as opposed to just staying on the rim... in which case, your first step would be to see about getting a permit.
All camping inside the park (other than at the large drive-in campground at Grand Canyon Village) requires a permit. You get permits by faxing or mailing a request to the backcountry office (see link below) up to 4 months in advance. In other words, right now they are taking permits for June. You can also try your luck and show up at the backcountry office when they open (8AM) and try to get any open permits for the next day. Be warned, that permits for the main trails and camp areas can be very competitive during the spring through fall period.
The most popular overnight backpack off the South Rim is to go down the South Kaibab Trail to the Bright Angel campground at the bottom (by Phantom Ranch) and then hike out the Bright Angel trail up to the lodges. There is another campground halfway up the Bright Angel trail at Indian Gardens - many people stop there on their way up or you could just go down to there and back if you don't want to go all the way to the bottom.
Bright Angel and Indian Gardens campgrounds are nice, clean, pretty and not overcrowded. They both have decent bathrooms and drinking water. Each campsite has a picnic table, poles to hang packs on, and metal ammo cans for food (keeps out the critters). Indian Gardens also has little covered ramadas. Note that you are NOT allowed to have fires ANYWHERE in the park, so if you plan to cook your own food, you will need a campstove.
Phantom Ranch (at the bottom) also rents cabins and dorms which allow you to hike down and stay at the bottom without carrying a tent and sleeping bag. However, they are open for reservations a year in advance and fill up quick (you can sometimes get last minute cancellations in the dorms, especially if you are by yourself). The lodge also has a canteen that serves dinner and breakfast. The meals require reservations, but you can still apply for them even if you are staying at the campground rather than the cabins/dorm.
If you want to go more remote, there are plenty of other 'backcountry trails' that are rougher, but less crowded. Most really require more than a single night to enjoy. For one night, you could go down the Grandview Trail to the campground at Horseshoe Mesa (old mine ruins and nice views, but a scary trail and no water near camp) or down the Tanner trail to the Colorado River (9 miles each way - heck of an overnight trip).
Regardless of which trail or campsite you chose, be ready for a wide range of weather and temperatures as the 5000 foot elevation different between rim and river means different climates (can be warm at the bottom while freezing cold at top). Always have rain protection and unless you are going in mid-summer, some sort of insulation layer. Always carry plenty of water too... Bright Angel is the only trail where water is always available. Remember that going up takes twice as much energy as going down. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are probably the two biggest killers of hikers.
If you are going in winter or early spring, having crampons or yaktraks available is not a bad idea. I also have become a big believer in using trekking poles (collaspable ski pole like things) in the canyon. If you do not 'need' them, they take a great deal of strain off knee, hip and foot joints are probably better for you long term.
If by chance, you intended to hike and camp along the rim rather than going down into the canyon - well, there really are not many places that you can do that on the South Rim (or would want to). Most of the areas that are accessible to the public are already developed with lodges, roads and overlooks. There are no designated backcountry campsites along the south rim of the park. The North Rim however, does have several good rim-side hikes and camping areas (like Powell Plateau).
While on the trail, besure to take regular breaks and small snacks and frequent drinks of water. Also take moments from time to time to just relax and take it all in. Some people get so intent on the trail that they miss the beauty around them. The canyon is famous for its geology, so reading up on that before or getting a good guidebook (see below) can make the trip even more rewarding.
Have fun! The Grand Canyon is one of the best places for backpacking the world!
I assume you are talking about hiking into the canyon as opposed to just staying on the rim... in which case, your first step would be to see about getting a permit.
All camping inside the park (other than at the large drive-in campground at Grand Canyon Village) requires a permit. You get permits by faxing or mailing a request to the backcountry office (see link below) up to 4 months in advance. In other words, right now they are taking permits for June. You can also try your luck and show up at the backcountry office when they open (8AM) and try to get any open permits for the next day. Be warned, that permits for the main trails and camp areas can be very competitive during the spring through fall period.
The most popular overnight backpack off the South Rim is to go down the South Kaibab Trail to the Bright Angel campground at the bottom (by Phantom Ranch) and then hike out the Bright Angel trail up to the lodges. There is another campground halfway up the Bright Angel trail at Indian Gardens - many people stop there on their way up or you could just go down to there and back if you don't want to go all the way to the bottom.
Bright Angel and Indian Gardens campgrounds are nice, clean, pretty and not overcrowded. They both have decent bathrooms and drinking water. Each campsite has a picnic table, poles to hang packs on, and metal ammo cans for food (keeps out the critters). Indian Gardens also has little covered ramadas. Note that you are NOT allowed to have fires ANYWHERE in the park, so if you plan to cook your own food, you will need a campstove.
Phantom Ranch (at the bottom) also rents cabins and dorms which allow you to hike down and stay at the bottom without carrying a tent and sleeping bag. However, they are open for reservations a year in advance and fill up quick (you can sometimes get last minute cancellations in the dorms, especially if you are by yourself). The lodge also has a canteen that serves dinner and breakfast. The meals require reservations, but you can still apply for them even if you are staying at the campground rather than the cabins/dorm.
If you want to go more remote, there are plenty of other 'backcountry trails' that are rougher, but less crowded. Most really require more than a single night to enjoy. For one night, you could go down the Grandview Trail to the campground at Horseshoe Mesa (old mine ruins and nice views, but a scary trail and no water near camp) or down the Tanner trail to the Colorado River (9 miles each way - heck of an overnight trip).
Regardless of which trail or campsite you chose, be ready for a wide range of weather and temperatures as the 5000 foot elevation different between rim and river means different climates (can be warm at the bottom while freezing cold at top). Always have rain protection and unless you are going in mid-summer, some sort of insulation layer. Always carry plenty of water too... Bright Angel is the only trail where water is always available. Remember that going up takes twice as much energy as going down. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are probably the two biggest killers of hikers.
If you are going in winter or early spring, having crampons or yaktraks available is not a bad idea. I also have become a big believer in using trekking poles (collaspable ski pole like things) in the canyon. If you do not 'need' them, they take a great deal of strain off knee, hip and foot joints are probably better for you long term.
If by chance, you intended to hike and camp along the rim rather than going down into the canyon - well, there really are not many places that you can do that on the South Rim (or would want to). Most of the areas that are accessible to the public are already developed with lodges, roads and overlooks. There are no designated backcountry campsites along the south rim of the park. The North Rim however, does have several good rim-side hikes and camping areas (like Powell Plateau).
While on the trail, besure to take regular breaks and small snacks and frequent drinks of water. Also take moments from time to time to just relax and take it all in. Some people get so intent on the trail that they miss the beauty around them. The canyon is famous for its geology, so reading up on that before or getting a good guidebook (see below) can make the trip even more rewarding.
Have fun! The Grand Canyon is one of the best places for backpacking the world!
Where is a good place to go camping in Flagstaff, AZ?
Yodal_man
I am looking for a family camping site with nice views and trails for hiking. Preferably near lakes or rivers.
Answer
I think the best on for your and your family is Coconino National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/rec_redrock.shtml
The Coconino National Forest contains 4 districts: the Peaks, Mormon Lake, Mogollon Rim, and Red Rock Districts. Each offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking, equestrian riding, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country and alpine skiing.
That sounds like enough variety so that everyone will have fun.
Enjoy!
I think the best on for your and your family is Coconino National Forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/rec_redrock.shtml
The Coconino National Forest contains 4 districts: the Peaks, Mormon Lake, Mogollon Rim, and Red Rock Districts. Each offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, backpacking, equestrian riding, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country and alpine skiing.
That sounds like enough variety so that everyone will have fun.
Enjoy!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Planning an overnight camping trip at the Grand Canyon South Rim?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment