Our family is supposed to hike in and out of the Grand Canyon in March. I'm really freaking out about not being prepared enough for this trip. Can you think of anywhere within a few hours of Dallas to hike with a bit of altitude? We'll need to try out boots and poles, going up and down.

Maybe the Arbuckle Mountain area in Oklahoma? Are there trails up actual mountains?

Why not try a couple of the state parks near Dallas, like Cedar Hill and Dinosaur Valley? You can certainly drive several hours if you want, but something that is close by and convenient would make more sense. You should be more concerned with putting in enough time rather than going to a mountain every so often. By that, I mean you need to get out several times a week and just walk for several miles or more (preferably with some weight in a backpack). That will help you more than a few trips to a mountain with a little bit of altitude.

If you want to take a longer weekend and go somewhere to test out all of your gear, that's fine. But you really don't need to drive several hours to test out your boots and poles. I'm a little more concerned with your outlook on this - saying you're 'supposed to' and 'you're freaking out' gives me the impression you're not at all looking forward to it. If you're not excited about the Grand Canyon, you may want to reconsider. If you are excited, just relax and don't obsess over it to the point of making it a chore.

Spend some time on YouTube...Lots and lots of first hand info specifically designed in inform the First Timer.Just type in "hiking in Grand Canyon" in the search box.

As far as training with altitude, I'm concerned about "down." When we hiked in the Alps (years ago) it was down that killed my husband's knees. You can train on a stairmaster for up, but how can you train for down? (I actually walk the fire stairs in my office buiding but the rest of my family can't do that.)

Actually, the more hints and tips I read, the more it freaks me out. There are so many "don't forget" "don't make this mistake" and "be sure to"s. Right and wrong ways to tie your boots. Right and wrong ways to walk.

Then stop reading the tips and hints.

The biggest problem with hiking the Grand Canyon is the summer heat, and you won't have to worry about that.

The down part is hard on your knees (and hips), but the only way around that is to carry less weight and rest when you can. Poles will help some, but probably the biggest thing you can do is pack lightly and shed excess body weight (if that's even an option). Lots of people obsess about their pack weight and ignore that the easiest 5-10 pounds to drop is from their waist. As for your husband's knees, keep in mind the down is at the start when you're rested up, not at the end (like in the Alps) when muscles are already tired and not supporting your joints as they should.

Believe me, I read the tips about how to tie your shoes, how to walk, how to rest, etc. I tied my shoes the recommended way and didn't notice a big difference. I only rested once the recommended way (every hour for 5-10 minutes with your feet elevated) and my feet were fine.

I attended a focus group week before last.Funny how everyone on any forum is eager and willing to give advice.I thought this group was metrosexual males under 30, making more than $50K per annum who shopped twice a month @ W/M and did a little travelling.Well, that was indeed the demographic of the group....However, the focus of the focus group was to grid the eagerness of the group to give advice.Period.We knocked em dead, everyone in the group gave it their all.You cant stop it.People want to give advice.Whether its live and in color, or over the internet.Bottom line, advice rules.

What in the world does that have to do with hiking the Grand Canyon?

Maybe Enchanted Rock? I'm not sure how far that would be for you, but we hiked there.

There are some fairly tall mini mountains in eastern Oklahoma above Broken Bow Lake.

It's a neat place to go even when you aren't training. In a short travel time, you are in a whole different environment, which is nice for us flatlanders. It's a really great destination in the fall for leaves.

I live 70 miles east of you and was wishing for closer hills to train on. After doing the GC, I was wishing I had done a lot more stair work, instead of hill work. All the steps are what got my knees. Maybe there are some stadiums around where you could use the bleachers for steps.

I too was really nervous about my GC trip. My sister had done it several times but she is a lot more athletic than I am. All I could do was get good boots, poles and a back pack and just get my legs in shape.

If you have anything like bad knees or ankles, see your doctor and get a prescription for a good anti inflammatory and maybe a brace.

The best thing you are already doing-- going in March. I did too and it was perfect. I can't imagine trying to do that trip in the summer.

Just get an early start and you will have all day to do it. Like the ranger told us at the bottom--the best tip for going up is to just take it slow. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!!

It WILL be tough but because of that, you will be so proud of yourself.

Thanks for your encouragement! The family could certainly try to find bleachers. We live near the high school but they keep the entrances locked up when not in use.