Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

You could go down to Cedar Ridge/Ooh Ahh point (South Kaibab Trail), and just turn around whenever.

 

How is this trail compared to Bright Angel?

 

Thanks. I guess, we'll just take them around the rim for a day. the next day ill hike down the canyon a few miles then back up.

 

Yeah, what door ding said. Both Bright Angel and South Kaibab start down immediately. As has been mentioned, there are steps on the trails that are basically timbers set across the trail to prevent erosion. The bad part is, the steps all differ in distance apart and in step down distance.

If you’re wanting to hike down by yourself, South Kaibab is less traveled, but there is absolutely no water on the trail. Bright Angel has water and a bathroom every mile and a half, so it gets a lot of traffic. If you are carrying your own water, I’d recommend South Kaibab. You’ll have to catch one of the shuttles to take you to the trailhead, but I think it’s worth it.

 

Unfortunately no overnight trip for me on this trip. I am going with my family so plan to spend most time with them with an only a few hours off to hike by myself.

 

Indian Garden is 4.5 miles. Plateau Point even further.
Kaibab trail is much steeper than Bright Angel. 6.5 miles to the river vs 9 miles to the river.
Do walk a short ways down Bright Angel trail, through the hole in the wall. Stop long enough, 10 to 15 minutes, to grasp the size, depth, and the age of the canyon.

Take the shuttle out to Hermits Rest. Hike spots along the rim. Go to Desert View, and the new Visitor Center.

Eat dinner at the Arizona Room, breakfast at El Tover.

Stop by Miguel's Pizza.

 

I'm pretty active and fit so I know for myself, the hike would be strenuous but manageable especially if im just carrying water and not the 30lb pack I usually carry when backpacking. However, for the rest of my family it would be best for them to stay above the rim. At most maybe a mile decent with a really slow ascent after. hahaha

 

I was thinking of heading down to Indian Garden and back up in one trip. I believe that is the recommended turn around point if you are just day hiking. I would like to make it to the river and back up but I don't think that would be wise. Unless I start in the dark. How far is the hole in the wall?

 

It is nice, but a cabin at the Bright Angel Lodge is awesome.

A strong hiker can do the river and back in a day. I would suggest a lot more than just water. 18 miles RT.
Check that water is running at IG, 3 mile and 1.5 mile rest stops. Water gets shut off due to busted pipes A LOT.
Runners do the Rim to Rim in a day. I like to SEE the canyon and so take a much slower pace.
I usually get from IG to the rim in 4.5 hours with a full pack.
Bring hiking poles. (optional) 4 wheel drive, like our trucks.

Hole in the wall??? Really close, a few hundred yards, or more? Forgot exactly. Spectacular!!
Not advised if the trail is icy and you do not have cleats.

I love that place.
Here is a campsite west of Hermit/Boucher on the Tonto West. I did 2 weeks, almost 100 miles solo.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent. One hiking pole is used for the tent.

Ken in NC

 

Yes, I always carry a days worth of food/snacks, my sawyer, and sometimes jetboil with me on a hike. When I say just water what I really meant was a day pack without my tent, pad, sleeping pad, slippers, and so forth. 18miles I can do, however not sure if I can do 18mi on a reverse hike. Going down and back up is a lot tougher. Up then down is doable. but will be long. I like to SEE things also so I'll prob just stroll along the canyon. Ill check the water situation before heading down. Thanks for that info.

 

If you can stay the night, a hike down S Kaibab Trail, a stay at the bottom, and a hike up the Bright Angel Trail next day is still a quick experience in the canyon. That would be doable for a LONG day. (I would not!!)
A stay at to bottom can be a dorm room at phantom ranch. I have not done it, but there are cancellations often. Check with the Bright Angel Lodge Transportation desk. "Tell them Ken sent you." (Kidding)

 

One of these days I will make it to the bottom and when I do, it will be for a few nights.

 

It is usually recommended to do the "Corridor" first. (Bright Angel and/or Kaibab trails)
But, the Hermits Rest to South Rim is a great hike. About 25 miles. 3 days (fast) to 7 days (fun). If you can manage water in a desert environment, you will be fine. Hermits Rest to Hermit creek. Follow the Tonto East to Indian Garden. Up to South Rim.
I have done 5 and 7 days. You would have time to drop to the river rapids a few times.
Water is available at most camps. There are a lot of camps to choose from. (Horn Creek may be radioactive. Story is, if you drink from Horn Creek, you do not need a flashlight at night.)

I say that now, because it takes planning to do these, unless you know the system.
I have gotten walk-up permits in November/December. My favorite time in the canyon. Less people, but possibly less water.
If you solo overnight, you get the "You will die letter".
Seriously, they have a lot of rescues there.

Ken in NC

 

Ill keep all this info in mind for when I start planning. I usually like car camping in the winter and then backpacking spring to fall.

 

It should be on every hikers bucket list. In 2016 i went down South Kaibab, spent two nights in Bright Angel, then hiked up to Indian Garden and spent one night there. Then last fall I did rim to rim.

I would just say to never underestimate the hike out. As soon as you step out of your campsite in Indian Garden you’re going up...and it doesn’t let up until you’re out. If you’re only carrying a small daypack and water it might be different, but when you’re carrying 35-40 lbs on your back it can be a challenge. But, oh, the feeling when you make it.

 

I left a group I was with on a 5 night Hermit Loop trip.I had a full pack and hiked up to the rim from Bright Angel.
I did it in 9 hours with a meal break at IG. I am old and slow, that was 12-14 years ago.
I was blessed with a full moon to show me the way the whole trip from IG. Wow, what a spectacular thing to do.
Slow going does the trick, do not push against the Grand Canyon and you will be blessed with a unique and spectacular time.

I may have said this before, but I spent 2 weeks from Hermits Rest, down Boucher, out to Slate (2 night dry camp, packed 3 days of water), the Tonto to BA camp, a dinner at Phantom Ranch (Hikers Stew), a resupply (packed by mule) then up the SK to the Tonto, and east to New Hance trail, and out. One of my most remembered trips. Solo, too. A couple of dry camps, so the pack got heavy.

Bucket list for a hiker should be more than one trip in the Big Ditch.

 

New Hance was a faint trail that goes UP. But, it was not technical. I did that one very slowly.
I did go out to the top of the Papago Wall. That could be considered technical. (Someone else here posted about recently doing that Escalante Route.)
I camped my last night half way up New Hance.

 

I started with 42 lbs plus my clothes I was wearing. That was for a week (resupply at BA). My 3rd day I had 12 added liters of water, to last me 3 days. I estimated 60 lbs out to Slate for 2 nights. It was fairly flat.
Here is camp at Slate Creek (dry camp, except for a few surprise pot holes.)

Edit:
Without pictures ... it did not happen.

 

I am selling my Dutchware 11' Netless if anyone is interested.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dutchware-11-netless-dual-layer-hammock.546331/

 

I did not "win" my Phantom Ranch lottery for May 2019 unfortunately. Will maybe try again for fall or wait again and try April/May 2020.