rgrusin

My 20-year-old son and I would like to raft down the Grand Canyon. I'm 58 and in average shape. 5 years ago we did a 5-night Boundary Waters canoe trip and loved it but my fitness level was better then. I'm a little concerned about the walk in or out of the canyon, so we might prefer a whole canyon tour with helicopter out.

Looking for recommendations on oar vs. motorized as well as recommendations for particular outfits that people have had good luck with. Any other input/advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

PaulRabe

This URL might be a good place to start:

http://www.gcroa.org/Pages/outfitters2.htm

Not sure what you mean by "whole Canyon tour with helicopter out." All river running companies will pick up customers at some place, and return you to that place after the end of the trip. If you raft through the entire Canyon, that may mean a trip back via bus or helicopter.

Perhaps what you are looking for this:
http://www.westernriver.com/trips/grandcanyon/
where they take you partially into the Canyon and then helicopter you out, instead of you walking out from (or down to) Phantom Ranch.

tatshenshini

The hike out of the Grand Canyon is extremely difficult. That said hundreds of people do it each day. I would first check out http://www.raftgrandcanyon.com to see all of the different rafting options available. For an outfitter I would recommend Colorado River & Trail Expeditions or CRATE as they are known by past customers. They do a little of everything including the hiking and helicopter exchanges. Their website for Grand Canyon is http://www.crateinc.com/raft-trips/g...anyon-rafting/

enzian

The "whole canyon with helicopter out" means you run the canyon from put in at Lees ferry, through the national park and the best rapids and scenery. You go 188 miles to Whitmore Wash and helicopter out from there. This shortens the trip and avoids the calmer and less scenic stretch ending at Lake Mead.

A number of outfitters offer this trip. You might consult with Rivers and Oceans, a companybthat works with all the outfitters and matches you with the right trip.

Parrothead

We went with Western River and loved it. We were helicotered out on day 6, then flown back to either Page,AZ or Las Vegas, our choice. The boats, food and camping facilities were very good quality. We chose them because they provided cots with the tents, so no sleeping on the ground and the helicopter out, so no strenuous hike.

BTW, they tell you one 12-pack of soda or beer are allowed per person but in reality they'll load more if you're just cool about it and don't get crazy.

Bill_H

I'm a little concerned about the walk in or out of the canyon, so we might prefer a whole canyon tour with helicopter out. Looking for recommendations on oar vs. motorized ...

If you want to do the motorized trip then I suggest one of the companies that start at Lee's Ferry and helicopter you out at the dude ranch 188 miles downstream, then fly you back to wherever (the time I did this trip we flew over the canyon back to near Lee's Ferry @ Marble Canyon). Not all motor trips do the flight back though.

If you want to do a non-motor trip (which I would recommend for many reasons) I suggest rafting from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek (mile 225), where a bus will pick up the group and take you back to Flagstaff or wherever (the many times I've done this trip it was always back to Flag). This takes a few extra days but is a better trip, I feel. I prefer the so-called hybrid trips, which had one or two paddle rafts (six guests paddle and a guide steers from the back) and 3-4 oar rafts (these held 4 guests and the guide does the rowing), which allows you to paddle some days if you like (I think a 20 year old would enjoy this, especially on the bigger rapids).

I'm not up on current rules but when I was doing this a lot the motor trips didn't start until a bit later so going in mid-May on an oar trip was very peaceful as there were no baloney boats whining by. This was my favorite time to go.

Either way you'll have a very enjoyable trip.