Get Your Hike On

Many have been eagerly asking what this year will hold for us in terms of ass-kicking hikes? Honestly, Half Dome was so incredibly fun and gratifying that it's been a hard question to answer. It was just so amazing to see my best friends on top of an icon that I've been dreaming about climbing for 20 years... that's kinda hard to beat.


But I'll try. Of course there are other natural wonders that I've been salivating over... unfortunately, so are thousands of other humans so these all REQUIRE MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS OF PRE-PLANNING. So here is my suggestion, and then a disclaimer:

Drum roll please: The Grand Canyon.





Disclaimer: It's SO hard to get a reservation at any one of the necessary lodging facilities (two separate sites need to be booked: one at the top and one at the bottom, because you can't go up and down in one day... and they are all managed by separate corporations.) That this plan will possibly be for 2009.

So here it is: I'm going to start to go though the reservation process in HOPES of getting space for 6 (or less?) to participate in this hike in the Summer or Fall of 2008, but may not get there until 2009.

In which case, we'll have to do something else this summer, don't worry I have many other ideas. But if I don't start the process sometime... then when? So read on and think about it. You may have EXTRA time to get in shape for this one, but hey... we're all friends forever right?

GRAND CANYON IN THREE DAYS:
(IDEAL ITINERARY)

Day One:
Drive 8 hours from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Lodging: El Tovar (luxury hotel on lip of rim) or Mather Campground on the South Rim. The hotel is beautiful, even though the rooms are a shade tacky. So we should go to the hotel for victory brunch at the very least. As for camping, I stayed at this campground 4 years ago... and it is very similar to the ones in Yosemite, sans the ice cold river to swim in.


(See the Tovar's dark tower in the upper right?)

"El Tovar Hotel
El Tovar Hotel, the premier lodging facility at the Grand Canyon, opened its doors in 1905 and was most recently renovated in 2005. In the past, the Hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Western author Zane Grey, and many others.Today, El Tovar retains its elegant charm. Located on the Canyon rim, it features a fine dining room (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), lounge and curio shop with newsstand. El Tovar offers its guests Concierge, turn-down and room service and is a Registered National Historic Landmark. El Tovar Hotel has 78 rooms and suites, all with cable television, telephone, full bath and air conditioning. Standard rooms have one double, one queen, or two queen beds. Deluxe rooms have either two queens or one king bed. Suites have a bedroom with either two queens or one king bed, and a sitting room, and some of the suites have a porch or balcony."

Day Two: (At Crack of Dawn)
Hike down to Colorado River (Two available routes, 7 or 10 miles varying in steepness and length. All maintained by NP Service. Cons: Steep, shared with hundreds of other people and very hot in summer. Pros: Hike of a lifetime, vistas that will blow the mind.)




Hike will take 4-5 hours, in addition, we may have to stop for shade during noontime hours.

Bright Angel Trail
South Kaibab Trail

Lodging: Along the river at a Phantom Ranch Cabins or at Bright Angel Campground. Both Subject to scarce availability.

"Phantom Ranch
Phantom Ranch is a comfortable oasis nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
It is tucked in beside Bright Angel Creek on the north side of the Colorado River and is the only lodging facility below the Canyon rim. The Ranch can only be reached by mule, by foot, or by rafting the Colorado River and is a popular stop-over point for hikers and mule riders traveling to the bottom of the Canyon via the famous Bright Angel or Kaibab trails. Open year-round. The ranch was designed by architect Mary E. J. Colter and completed in 1922. The rustic cabins and main lodge are built of wood and native stone and do not intrude on the natural beauty and solitude of the setting. Overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch consist of dormitory spaces for backpackers. Dormitories are separate for women and men -- each has ten bunk beds, a shower, and restroom.

Also popular is the Phantom Ranch Canteen where meals, beverages, and sundries are available for adventurous travelers who journey to the bottom of the Canyon. Meals MUST be reserved well in advance of your descent. Mule trips do include a lunch on the way down, steak dinner that night and a breakfast the next morning before the ride out. Hikers need to reserve meals separately and well in advance."

"Bright Angel Campground
Bright Angel Campground is at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The campground is less than 1/2 mile from Phantom Ranch. The area is characterized by the river delta where Bright Angel Creek meets the Colorado River. Cottonwood trees shade Bright Angel Campground and the creek offers a great place to cool off.


Deer, ring-tail cats, gray foxes, and squirrels are often seen. Metal food containers are provided to store food. Protect yourself and the animals by following Grand Canyon's Food Storage Guidelines. Popular activities include relaxing, resting/wading in Bright Angel Creek, stargazing, fishing, and day hiking. Day hikes include the River Trail, Phantom Overlook, and Ribbon Falls. Check the campground information board for ranger led activities, and evening program topics."

Day Three:
Hike up. 10 miles. Takes about twice as long -- that's like 8- 10 hours but we would take the "easier" (read: less steep but still damn hard) but longer trail. Indian Gardens campground for lunch.

Check into hotel or campsite at top at South Rim see Day One above.


So simply think about it. I know it's hard to think that far into the future...

It truly will be another hike to tell the grandkids about... and I know that I am going sooner than later... and would love your company. Suggestions are welcome.