I'm going to hike at GC (will go in spring or fall) and would like opinions on whether it is better to only dayhike for the first big trip, or bite the bullet, train harder and go all the way to the river. I've read up on permits, boots, poles and have read "Over the Edge" (great book!). So...I guess my question is: to those who have hiked to the bottom, did you day hike on previous trips or did you start with the bottom?
Also, what are your opinions on wearing contacts in the canyon? Thanks.

My first major Canyon hike was all the way to the bottom with one night at Phantom Ranch. With sufficient training, preparation, and gear; I think a reasonably fit person can do this as a first hike.

Under no circumstances would I recommend anyone attempt a one day hike, to the river and back, as a first hike. Desert canyon hiking is different from any other kind, and there's no way to know how good is your fitness, preparation, or gear. You MIGHT be able to make it, or not. The problem is, the risks are huge (YOU pay for the helicopter evacuation if you guess wrong) and the rewards (beyond that of a lesser day hike) almost non-existent.

I've hiked ~ 1,200 miles on below-the-rim hikes and taken 20-25 people on their first Canyon hikes ... if you are in really good shape then in fall or spring you can certainly hike to the river and back in a day. If you're *really* fit it will take about 5 hours of hiking, though most people take 8-10 hours.

Going in fall/spring takes the killer heat out of the equation, which is smart and makes it a much easier trip.

If you exercise strenuously say 5-7 times a week, are not overweight and are under 40 you can do it easily enough. I've gone on rim-to-rim hikes with people in their late 50's who were in-shape runners, for example.

If you think you're in great shape then a good route is to descend Kaibab (4,800 ft drop in about 7 miles), water up at the Phantom Ranch campground, then ascend Bright Angel (9 miles, 4,400 ft gain). BA is a more gentle trail with water at three spots (no water on Kaibab) and a campground at Indian Gardens in case you need help.

If you're unsure of your fitness then I recommend going down BA to Indian Gardens (about 4.3 miles), then deciding whether or not you can make it to the river ... ascend this same trail.

Get an early start, make sure you're shoes fit well or you'll blister up, take at least two quart water bottles and re-fill them at each water stop (Phantom, Indian Gardens, Mile 3 and Mile 1.5 rest houses) and some food and enjoy the hike.

Bill

Better is subjective. Do you really, really want to go to the river, or just do some hiking? Are you backpacking if you go to the river, or thinking of doing that as a dayhike?

I did barely any hiking at GC before I backpacked to the bottom for 3 nights. As long as you know what you're getting into, then most people can do it with proper preparation. I wouldn't recommend a dayhike to the river and back as a first trip - take the time to enjoy the hike and scenery instead of pushing to go down and up in the same day. I'd save the one-day rim to river to rim for another time when you've already "seen" the canyon and just want to test yourself.

Water on Bright Angel - Indian Gardens is year-round, but the other locations at 1.5 mile and 3 mile are shut off once it gets cold enough to freeze, so depending on when you do the hike you may have only Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens to fill up, unless you take a water filter and pump/disinfect from the creek.

I wouldn't wear contacts in the canyon, but I never wear them any time I go camping/hiking. Too much dirt and dust, pretty difficult to get my hands properly clean to touch my contacts anyway, and I need a mirror to put them in easily.

Just to clarify: I have NO intention of doing a one day river hike. Would most likely spend 1-2 nights on bottom.

Then yes, go all the way. Just be prepared for it - read lots of trip reports, especially those done in the same season you're going to get an idea of what it's like.

I have done a one day hike from North Rim to South Rim and it was difficult but I would be curious as to where you camp when there. I thought that hiking was limited and difficult to get permits, at least at phantom ranch.

thanks

On the issue of contacts: Northern AZ is very dry - I had a lot of problems with my contacts flipping around in my eyes because they were getting dried out and sticking. If you wear disposables and aren't freaked out by bad contact behavior, it will be fine if you bring an extra pair and some saline. If this is not you, you might want to bring glasses - just be sure you've got some way to deal with sun - it's mighty bright.

Maybe it would be time to look into laser eye surgery...

Our first GC hike (in 2006) was hike to the bottom, with 2 nights at Bright Angel camp. It was not at all difficult for us, and we loved it so much we made our reservations to do it again in 2007. (Perhaps you saw my trip report).

If you go and spring or fall, with no heat issues, it is no different than a mountain hike at similar altitude and with similar elevation gain and loss (more than 4000 feet). It is, however, "upside down", meaning the uphill part comes last. That's the part that gets inexperienced hikers into trouble, becuase it is easier (for most people) to walk down than to climb back up. So you should be sure that you can manage a climb of 4,000 feet, and factor in the altitude. Or you could get a permit to camp at Indian Gardens on the way up, and break up the climb into 2 days.

As for contact lenses---our daughter had to take hers out on the way down, but only because of the wind, which was very strong (that's unusual, I believe). She replaced them once we reached the river. There is plenty of clean water from the tap at the Bright Angel campground to wash your hands for this. She did experience more eye dryness than usual, and used her artificial tears to counteract that.

Enzian-Your report was great! And thanks to all the other posters for their input.

Now I'm deciding between buying camping equipment or going with a guide. Any comments?

You can also rent gear. REI in Flagstaff should have all you need. Also the Marketplace general store at the south rim rents gear, although I didn't check out the quality.

If you would like to go with a guide and small group, check out the offerings by the Grand Canyon Association:

http://www.grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute/