RIM TO RIM GRAND CANYON HIKE

Itinerary

We will leave Casa Grande at 8:00 a.m. on DAY 1 and return on DAY 5 about 3:30 p.m. We will be able to leave clothing and other articles in the vehicle to change into when we come out of the canyon. 

DAY 1 we will ride through beautiful northern Arizona, across the Navajo Nation, over Navajo Bridge and the Colorado River, past the Vermillion Cliffs, and onto the Kaibab Plateau where will spend the night at Jacob's Lake Lodge on the Arizona Strip (which is the opposite of the Las Vegas Strip).

DAY 2 morning we will ride to the North Kaibab Trailhead and, after a "before" group photo we will head down the 14 mile trail into the heart of the Grand Canyon.

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 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 a 10-person cabin.  Since we are not backpacking, a lightweight shoulder daypack is all that we need to bring.  Sheets, towels, soap and hot water as well as a limited variety of beverages, snacks and souvenirs are available at Phantom Ranch.  We will have two evening meals while there; one will be a stew dinner and one will be a steak dinner.  Breakfasts are very ample and we will pick up our sack lunches both days after breakfast.  During the day the dining room will be open, serving liquid refreshments (beer, wine, lemonade, coffee) and snacks.  Also available are t-shirts and hats that can only be purchases at  the bottom of the canyon.

DAY 3 is an R & R day (rest and recuperation).  It is a day to get out and stretch those tired “downhill” muscles with a couple of short hikes in the area, exploring the inner canyon, and experiencing parts of the canyon that most people never see.

DAY 4 morning, we’ll have an early breakfast in the dining room, pick up our lunches and leave for the south rim.  There are 2 choices of trail; the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail.  The popular Bright Angel Trail is 10 miles long with the advantage of a gentler grade and the opportunity of having lunch at Indian Gardens (half way) where there is water, restrooms, shade trees and tables.  The South Kaibab Trail is steeper but shorter, measuring in at 7 miles in length and lacks water.  Both trails lead to the south rim where we will take in the sights and hubbub of the most popular destination for Grand Canyon travelers.  After enjoying the sunset will enjoy dinner together swapping more stories, and then we will spend the night in the comfortable rooms of Maswik Lodge.

DAY 5 we will sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, and depart for our return trip down the mountain. We’ll stop enroute for lunch and be back to Casa Grande at around 3:30 p.m., tired, relaxed, and at peace with the world, knowing that we just accomplished something that few people have the opportunity to do.