Grand Canyon - mule trip worth it?
Apr 14th, 2004, 12:00 PM
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Grand Canyon - mule trip worth it?
I will be at the Grand Canyon for one day in early May. To my surprise I was able to get a reservation for a mule ride on that day. Since I will be only there for the one day I am wondering if it would make more sense to check out the overlooks and do some hiking on the Blue Angel trail then to do the mule ride. Also, I heard that the ride can be physically uncomortable.
Apr 14th, 2004, 01:29 PM
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I may be in the minority, but I did not enjoy the mule ride that much. I did this as a teen (quite a few years back I hate to admit) and remember even then being terrified by how close the mules walked by the edge of the trail. I learned then that I am not a "heights person" but perhaps this would not bother you.
Apr 14th, 2004, 06:16 PM
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We took our kids, who were teenagers at the time, and this was the highlight of the trip (North Rim). The mules farted all the way and they thought this was hysterical! Yes it was scary, but i would do it again. We spent several days at the Grand Canyon, though. The mule ride was down into the canyon, not an overlook. A different perspective.
Apr 14th, 2004, 06:36 PM
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The mule ride is definitely a big part of the whole grand canyon experience.
YES, uncomfortable but so worth it.
You'll be sore for sure but should go away in a day. Be a trooper and do the mule ride then drive to see the overlooks afterwards. SUNSET should be spectacular and great for picture taking.
YES, uncomfortable but so worth it.
You'll be sore for sure but should go away in a day. Be a trooper and do the mule ride then drive to see the overlooks afterwards. SUNSET should be spectacular and great for picture taking.
Apr 16th, 2004, 07:20 AM
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The mule trip was the highlight of our Grand Canyon experience. I ended up with "saddle sores" and my wife still reminds of this and what a city slicker I am. I would not recommend drinking a lot of coffee on the morning of your trip as it is a very loooong ride before you get a break.
Apr 17th, 2004, 05:45 PM
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My husband, 2 sons and I took a half day ride about 10 years ago. They loved it. For me, it was one of the worst experiences of my life! My mule kept reaching for shrubs on the "drop" side of the trail. I had no control over this and constantly got a mule's eye view of the canyon below, feeling each time like I was going to fall or slip down, still attached to the saddle. I was trusting my life to that dumb mule! NEVER AGAIN
Apr 18th, 2004, 10:18 AM
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We did a half-day mule ride from the North Rim and loved it. Be sure to take a hat with a broad brim and a water bottle to stay hydrated--my son didn't and ended up getting "mule sick" (i.e., car sick on a mule). But he still loved it and would do it again. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone afraid of heights--the mules are trained to walk on the outer edge of the trail.
