Final Hiking Itinerary

Well, here it is...

I talked to the Backcountry office today and they confirmed the itinerary below which is great news:

Day 1: 9.7mi-Trailhead to Hermit Rapids camp
Day2: 5.6mi-Hermit Rapids to Granite Rapids camp
Day3: 6mi-Granite to Salt Creek camp
Day4: 7.3mi-Salt Creek to Indian Garden
Day5: 4.9mi-Indian Garden to S. Rim

Total Miles: 33.5mi

Here's the good, the bad and the ugly...

Good:

• Pretty much all new terrain to cover
• Small camps with the exception of Indian Garden
• Trail is supposed to be in great shape in the winter
• From NPS: The Hermit Trail has less snow and ice than any other trail on the South Rim. This is due in part to the trailhead being at less than 7000ft. In addition, at about 0.5 miles the trail turns from north-facing to southwest-facing as it descends through the Coconino Sandstone. So expect some snow and ice at first, but with quickly improving conditions as you descend.

Bad:

• Need to carry and filter water, no "municipal" water until Indian Garden

 Ugly:

• I'll have to sign an agreement that we understand that our first day is "difficult".  The ranger said this is commonly done without issue, but many bail a few miles short at Hermit Creek camp and add stress to that camp.  Not really an option for us, so strap up and train hard.  I'll sign the agreement and we'll get our pass, no time for cryin' now

Map of the route:
Map

Useful Links: 

NPS Grand Canyon Winter Hiking
Backcountry Conditions
Pictures of Hermit Trail route
A narrative of Hermit Trail Route
Info on Hermit Trail
NPS .pdf on Hermit Trail
NPS .pdf on Tonto Trail

Option 4

After our discussion earlier today, here's the view if we'd go up to Cottonwood Camp.

Option 4: S. Kaibab to Bright Angel & Cottonwood Campgrounds

Day1: 7 mi-S. Kaibab to Bright Angel Camp

Day2:  7.2 mi-Bright Angel Camp up N. Kaibab to Cottonwood Camp

Day3: 7.2 mi-Cottonwood Camp to Bright Angel Camp

Day4: 4.7mi-Bright Angel Camp to Indian Garden Camp

Day5: 4.9mi-Indian Garden Camp to Bright Angel Trailhead

Total miles: covered (without side hikes): 31mi

Good: Maintained trail, heavily traveled, water available for most of trip, fewer miles to cover, more relaxing trip

Bad: Much of the same terrain we've covered, no water @ Cottonwood so carry some extra water for the day

Day1: 7 mi

Day2: Day hike

Day3: Day hike

Day4: 4.7mi

Day5: 4.9mi

Map:

   

Here are our options as I see them.

These are in no particular order:

Option 1: Hermit Trail

Stay on river for 2 nights (Hermit Falls-BM8, Granite Falls-BL8) and at 3500 feet for 2 nights (Indian Garden and  Horn Creek-BL4), one night on Tonto Trail (approx 3500 feet).

Good: New territory to cover, less traveled, likely quiet river camping

Bad: Hermit Trail isn't as well maintained, significantly more miles to cover, filter water for 3 days with no available water on night 3, so we'd have to carry plenty. Moving every day.

Here's the word from NPS on Hermit Trail: The Hermit Trail has less snow and ice than any other trail on the South Rim. This is due in part to the trailhead being at less than 7000ft. In addition, at about 0.5 miles the trail turns from north-facing to southwest-facing as it descends through the Coconino Sandstone. So expect some snow and ice at first, but with quickly improving conditions as you descend.

Day1: 9.7mi-Hermit Falls-BM8

Day2: 5.6mi-Granite Falls-BL8

Day3: 9.8mi-Horn Creek-BL4

Day4: 7mi-Indian Garden

Day5: 9.5mi-Hike out

Total miles: covered (without side hikes): 41.6mi

Map:

Part 1
Part 2

Option 2: Hermit Trail

Stay on river first night, one night on Tonto Trail (approx 3500 feet), then two nights at Bright Angel Campground and out. Similar to Option 1, but only on river before Bright Angel Campground.

Good: A good combination of old & new. Three nights on the river, one day to do nothing, or day hike etc.

Bad: Hermit Trail isn't as well maintained, significantly more miles to cover, filter water for 2 days with no available water on night 2, so we'd have to carry plenty until we hit the river again Day 3.

Day1: 10.3 mi-Granite Falls-BL8

Day2: 9.8mi-Horn Creek-BL4

Day3: 9.9mi-Phantom Ranch

Day4: Phantom Ranch-Day hike or nothing.

Day5: 9.5mi-Hike out

Total miles: covered (without side hikes): 39.5mi

Maps: 

Part 1
Part 2

Option 3: S. Kaibab to Bright Angel Campground

Camp @ Bright Angel Camp for 3 nights, day hikes etc. Live in relative comfort (bathrooms, running water,  fewer miles etc). Camp at Indian Garden for night 4 and out the next morning.

Good: Maintained trail, heavily traveled, water available, fewer miles to cover, more relaxing trip

Bad: Same terrain we've covered

Day1: 7 mi-Phantom Ranch

Day2: Phantom Ranch, Day hike

Day3: -Phantom Ranch, Day hike

Day4: 4.7mi-Indian Garden

Day5: 4.9mi -Hike out

Total miles: covered (without side hikes): 16.6mi

Map

Grand Canyon 2011

Working to do some planning for our upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon. There are some variables we're dealing with in planning this trip:

1) Weather, in March it's cold and snowy. This means we're limited to the South side trails

2) Water-where is it readily available?
3) Seeing new stuff is good
4) How much traveling do we want to do?
5) Trail conditions-corridor trails (Bright Angel/S. Kaibab/Tonto) will be good, others may be more questionable

So with those parameters being what they are I'll lay out what I think our options are.