Grand Canyon Itinerary. Comments/ Critiques ?
 

Hi all,
I've put together a Grand Canyon and Sedona itinerary for late Oct / early Nov. As you'll see from my itinerary I'm very big on hiking, but this my first Canyon hike. Some of my day hikes in the canyon and my sedona days are pretty open-ended right now. I'd appreciate any input. I do have all the permits and reservations in place (in some cases I have 2 reservations, one of which I need to cancel :) )

Sat Oct 29th: Yavapai Lodge/ Mattheson campground TBD
Arrive in PHX at 10:30am. Drive over from PHX to the Grand Canyon via the Walmart in Flagstaff. Buy fueland other supplies in Flagstaff. Talk to rangers, watch sunset, may be walk a bit of the rim trail.

Sun Oct 30th: CBG
Catch the bus to the South Kaibob trailhead. Hike down to Bright Angel campground and set-up camp. Visit Phantom Ranch. Ranger Talk? River trail? Phantom overlook?

Mon Oct 31st: CBG
Option 1: Hike to Ribbon Falls
Option 2: Hike part of the clear creek trail. Perhaps to Zoroaster Canyon.

Tue Nov 1st: CIG
Option 1: Hike up to CIG, pitch camp, and go for a day hike on Tonto trail.
Option 2: Hike to Ribbon Falls in the AM. Hike up to CIG and pitch camp during the sunset.

Wed Nov 2nd: Mattheson campground
Hike out of CIG early. Pitch camp at Mattheson. Hike the rim trail.

Thu Nov 3rd: Secret Canyon backcountry
Drive over to Sedona. Grab lunch before visiting the forest ranger and hiking into Secret Canyon. Camp in the backcountry.

Fri Nov 4th: Desert Quail Inn, Sedona, AZ
Hike out of Secret Canyon. Maybe a short day hike. Get lunch and check into hotel. Pink-Jeep tour in the afternoon.

Sat Nov 5th: Home
Sight-see in Sedona. Return car by 3pm. Fly out of PHX at 5:40pm

oops ...
CBG is Bright Angel campground
CIG is Indian Garden campground
Both are below the rim

Well, you get extra bonus points for spending time exploring the Grand Canyon. I've heard the animals (squirrels, etc.) around CIG are pretty aggressive about scrounging for food, so watch your pack at all times and secure everything when you leave your campsite and go out hiking. I've even heard of them chewing through a tent to get inside.

Otherwise, I think your hiking itinerary makes sense. I'm not sure you'd like the Pink Jeep tour - it seems like an artificial way to see the sights for someone who enjoys hiking as much as you do.

Thanks Weasel. I was wondering about the whole "securing bags" deal. In forested places, I've hung up a bear bag, what does one do in the canyon? Hang it up from a rocky crag or something? or are there poles in the campground?

CIG and CBG both have food storage containers (and water). I imagine they're similar to "bear boxes" at some campgrounds.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/...unds/index.htm

Hi ssachida, what a nice time of year you've picked for your hike. The weather down at Phantom should be very pleasant. Don't miss the ranger talks. We've been to Phantom twice and both times enjoyed the ranger talks which I believe they do twice daily. Last trip the subject was the California Condors - we saw so many of them soaring around the rim near the entrance to the Bright Angel Trail.

You'll be using the river trail as you leave Phantom (the campground is right there)and make your way up towards Indian Gardens, so you may just want to wait on that rather than exploring your first day down. Have fun!!

Thanks Weasel, this is the most civilized back-country camping I'll be doing! I am reluctant about the Pink Jeep tour myself. I'm certainly not making a booking, but I may do it, if I'm tired and all hiked out. I put it in, because so many people recommend it on these boards, but it may just be for a slightly different demographic than mine.

arewethereyet, thanks for the tip about the river trail and the thumbs up for the Ranger talk. I've made a note.

Any comments on option 1 and 2 on monday and tuesday?