Return to the Grand Canyon: Part II
Posted on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
I have had questions about the technical details of my experience with Grand Canyon. Responses to those questions appear here and in future blogs.
This year’s trek into the Canyon starts in Phoenix on January 20, 2012. Arriving from the east coast, west coast, and the Mid-West, we’ll spend an evening in Prescott enjoying the hospitality of Jon and Erin Matheson.
The next day we will arrive at the mule barn on the South Rim of the Canyon by 4 p.m. We need to be there to drop any gear that we may want to have transported the next morning.
Tip: A $60 fee will buy transportation for a 40 pound pack on a mule. Drop-off at the South Rim is by 4 p.m. of the afternoon before you want the goods to arrive at Phantom Ranch. Check details of weight and cost when you make your reservations.
Saturday evening we will spend in lodging on the South Rim.
Tip: Last year, I stayed two nights at Maswik Lodge. Rooms were clean and very well priced. If you want an upscale or Canyon rim view, Maswik is not the right choice. If you want something decent for the kids or a group of explorers on a bit of a budget, Maswik is great.
Tip: In years past, I stayed at Yavapai Lodge. About the same as Maswik, maybe a little older feeling. What I really liked about Yavapai was its proximity to the shopping area which includes a post office and large grocery store. In the same parking lot is a cafeteria: although very basic, this is where I had dinner last year after my tough trek. All I wanted was good, basic, light food. This place was perfect with a cottage cheese salad, a green salad and a small pasta dish.
Our plan this year is to catch the shuttle from the Visitor's Center at 6:00 a.m. This will put us at the South Kaibab trailhead well before the 7:36 a.m. sunrise. At this time of year, the shuttles run at 6:00 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and then every 15 minutes until one hour after sunset (5:39 p.m.)
Tip: At this time of year, it is not as important as it is during the warmer months to catch the first or second shuttle. But, as one old timer told me, “don’t catch the last shuttle of the morning. The people on that shuttle are your rescuers.” And of course, he was right! The idea is to get an early start. As there really isn’t a ‘last shuttle’ you want to be ahead of the last group that may be going to the bottom that day. Just in case.
Although the entire hike is a joy, I find the first and last mile to be the most challenging. My extreme fear of heights gives me a great opportunity to challenge myself at the beginning and end of the trek. The first mile will likely be covered with packed ice, possibly covered with new snow. It is a thrill to take those first few steps on the narrow trail. A magnificent vista opens to the North, winds in excess of 30 miles per hour will be blowing across the trail, dawn will be rolling in from the east, and the cares of yesterday will melt away. The moment will be at hand; the moment of renewing my relationship with focus and gravity. I can hardly wait!
Check back next week for more hiking tips as I continue sharing the details of my upcoming trip!
Have you made a trek to the Grand Canyon? Share your experience and tips to enliven the adventurer in all of us!
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