absolutely grand

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

We headed to Arizona on the 7th to hike the Grand Canyon.  And, oh, was it G R A N D.
I decide to start (just this year, oy) a travel log.  
This trip is definitely one that takes some planning.  And, in case anyone is interested, I will give you some tips and highlights.  (Please feel free to email me at anytime.) Steve and I traveled with a couple and she has had the unbelievable gift of hiking and staying at Phantom Ranch eleven times.  (Eleven!)
Some tips and points to mention:
•If planning on staying at Phantom Ranch, you must book this adventure a year in advance.  So, if you would like to hike down during March 2018, you will need to make reservations on March 1, 2017.  It gets pretty hot in the Canyon (Typically 10-20 degrees warmer.) So, February/March are great months to travel.
•We hiked down Kaibab, stayed in the Cabins for 2 nights and hiked up Bright Angel.
•You can choose to stay in a cabin or a dorm.  The cabins have 2 sets of bunk beds.  The dorms sleep 10.
•Two nights is an ideal time to stay at the Ranch making day hikes out of your time in the Canyon.
•It took us 6 hours to hike down Kaibab (leaving the south rim at 9:30am)  and 8 hours to hike back up Bright Angel (leaving the Ranch at 6:20am).
•There are 2 seatings for breakfast 5:30am/7:00am and 2 seatings for dinner 5:30pm and 7:00pm.  We ate the 7pm dinner after arrival at the ranch, the 7am breakfast and the 5:30pm dinner during our day in the Canyon.  And, the 5:30am breakfast on the day we headed out of the Canyon.
•Plan to arrive at the Ranch before 4pm if you would like to enjoy a cold beer.  Kitchen closes at 4pm in order to set up for dinner.

I can honestly say this was probably the trip and time of my life in terms of personal achievement.  It hits all levels... Spiritual, Emotional and Physical.  I was completely and utterly in awe.

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10 comments

  1. Just wondering--why do you have to leave so early for the hike back up? I am guessing it is so you get back well before dark but any other reason? Sounds like an amazing trip!

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    1. Yes! That is exactly why, Kim! It took us 8 hours and it can easily take much longer. It's a pretty aggressive uphill hike with the change of elevation. xx

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  2. This trip has been on my bucket list for several years! Hoping to do it soon! Thanks for posting all of the great tips.

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  3. We were at the Grand Canyon a few years back. It was beyond everything I had imagined. I remember when we got our first glimpse, both of us stood there with tears streaming down our cheeks. My sister said that after seeing it, she would never again use the word "awesome" for menial things.

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  4. I've been to the Grand Canyon several times. It is truly an amazing, beautiful place.

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  5. Sounds amazing! Would love to do this one day.

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