My husband and I are planning on a May 2013 trip to the Grand Canyon and hope to get Phantom Ranch reservations and I have been reading everything online I can find about tips on getting a reservation. Any new suggestions or tips available? I know to start calling on May 1, 2012 at 7:00 am Denver time and probably pray a lot besides! We have talked a little about camping if we can't get reservations but I'm nervous about that. We have not done any hiking, are both 54 but are in good physical shape (I workout 4-5 days a week, 1-2 hrs. a day). Should I be concerned about being able to make this trip? We would definitely train ahead of time if we get the reservations and we plan on staying a couple of nights on the canyon floor before heading back up. We just returned from a trip to the south rim and LOVED every bit of it and got the bug to hike down in the canyon. Thanks for any tips, tricks, suggestions, prayers, etc.

This wouldn't be a hike to start out on in my opinion. It would be like driving a semi truck before learning to drive a car(sortof). That said, you'll probably be fine if you are in good shape. You want to be doing something with a lot of incline/decline. Where do you live? You should do some hikes before going. You'll want to make sure to have plenty of water along the way. Most people like to start early(5:00AM ish)both going down and coming back up.

I would stay for 2 nights if you can at Phantom.

Get several people with cell phones(so you are all in the same room)or borrow some cell phones. Start calling and then one of you will get through(hopefully).

You might consider a rim to rim hike. North Rim opens May 15. This way you could see both sides as the north is different. You would need to have a shuttle service. You would also need reservations on the North, South, and Phantom. You would be dealing with two different concessionaires too. It would most likely be cold to cool and possibly even snow on the north rim.

Hopefully, Bill_h will puts his two cents in as he has hiked it numerous times and can give you lots of pointers. I'm actually debating about going May 2013 myself.

1) The sure thing is to sign up for the over-night mule ride. They hold open rooms for those guys because they are paying so much more. Any excess space is then made available to hikers.

2) If you can't get a cabin then there are dorms with bunk-beds that are much easier to get, but I hear these can be noisy, and you'll be in a different room than your husband.

3) Camping is fine, if you're worried about carrying gear then there's a mule for that (for a small additional fee). You can camp but still take your meals at the dining room (for a big additional fee).

4) Finally, here's a story ... on one of our rafting trips we had a lady who was I think 77 years young and who had signed up for just the first half of the trip, ending at Phantom. Most people doing this would just hike out that same day but she didn't think she could do this since the boats wouldn't get to Phantom until 9 AM or maybe later.

Her plan was to get a cabin and have a grand-daughter hike down and stay over-night with her, then hike out slowly the following day. But initially she couldn't get a cabin (back then they allowed more mule riders than now, so it was very tough to get a cabin).

So every single day she would call the reservation people and chat with them. There were only a few people in the office (I think at the time it was handled in St. George, Utah and not out-sourced) and she became "friends" with them, explaining why she really needed the cabin and playing to their sympathies.

Anyway, with just a couple weeks to go before the rafting trip she got the reservation because the ladies at the office remembered her and "saved" a cabin for her when there was a cancellation. So keep trying ... and if you're really desperate make friends with the reservation clerks ... and if you're REALLY desperate maybe add 25 years to your age?

"We have not done any hiking, are both 54 but are in good physical shape (I workout 4-5 days a week, 1-2 hrs. a day). Should I be concerned about being able to make this trip?"

You're in good enough physical shape to do the hike so long as the heat isn't too high, but you should get in some advance hiking wearing the boots you'll use in the GC or your feet will likely get chopped up pretty bad with blisters.

May is a good time because the temperatures shouldn't be too high (though it was already 99 F at Phantom earlier this week). If the high temp is projected over 95 F then you should plan on starting your hike out as early as possible (I like 5 AM but you'll probably have to wait another hour for breakfast). With light packs it shouldn't be too hard to hike out if you are working out 1-2 hours most days.

> tips on getting a reservation
> Any new suggestions or tips available?

I think the suggestion I found thirty years ago is the best: be flexible. If you're willing to take ANY date that's available, then you should be able to get SOME date. The key is to FIRST get the date of when you'll be at Phantom Ranch, THEN make your other travel plans, like flight reservations.

> We have not done any hiking, are both 54
> but are in good physical shape

The exercise you'll have to start doing, several months before you do this hike, is to strengthen your knees. Specifically, you'll have to walk up and down several flights of stairs, over and over. You're not ready to do The Canyon until you can do exactly that, non-stop, for over an hour. Talk to your doctor or physical trainer to ensure you can work up to this regimen over time -- do NOT try to do this when you start!

If you get your knees in shape, carry LOTS of water when you go down, wear a hat, long sleeved shirts, and lots of sun-screen; then I think you'll be able to do this hike.

If you do the proper preparation, this will be one of the best hikes of your life. If you don't, it will be the worst. It's that simple -- and the choice is entirely YOURS.

I forgot to mention: here's some audio tips from the people who have to rescue the people who don't plan and prepare well.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultim...e_smart-00.htm

Search youtube. I always look at a hike before going. You can see Bright Angel Trail, Kaibab, Rim to Rim, Mules, Etc.

Thanks, great advice! I wanted to do the mule trip but my husband said no way, he would rather hike, so hike it will be. I have heard that stair training before hand was the best way to prepare and one place said even a mini-tramp to strengthen knees. I would definitely get some good hiking boots months ahead of time and break them in well and do several hikes. We live in Missouri so we can find some good hiking trails around. We are totally flexible on times in May, 2 dates that we can't do it because of daughter's graduations from college but otherwise totally open so I'm hoping that will help. Thanks again!!

No new suggestions, just be prepared to apply for a permit to camp if you can't get a dorm or cabin reservation. You can apply for the permit 4 months in advance so you'll have plenty of time between May 1 2012 and January 1 2013 to check for cancellations on the dorms/cabins.

You have plenty of time to read up on the hike and get in shape for it. For sure use the duffel service to lighten your load, your knees will thank you for it.

That hike was the first time I'd ever gone backpacking - I had done plenty of camping and hiking before but never backpacked, so don't be scared off because you've never done it before. But I would suggest trying to do some hikes in the desert/mountains beforehand to get more of a feel for what you're in for, although nothing really prepares you for the Grand Canyon like the Grand Canyon. Just read up and heed the advice of those who have done it many times and you will be fine.

Not sure where you live at in Missouri. Since you haven't hiked before there are some GREAT hikes in and around The Buffalo River. I can suggest many. One that is somewhat tough is Hemmed in Hollow. Consider it a mild warmup for the GC. Go just after a rain to see the waterfall really flowing at its best. It is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and Rockys. And assuming that you have never backpacked, then I would surely do that a few times before attempting that in the GC. Maybe try the 27 mile Eagle Rock Loop.

Hiking and walking on stairs or a treadmill are totally different. Actually go hiking.

No way should you hike down with camping gear if you are not an avid hiker and you are doing this during a warm/hot time of year (a better time to hike is during the colder times of year). My sister has done that and even as an athlete and avid hiker she said she would never camp again and has not, even though she has hiked the canyon several times since.

When you call, be ready to make decisions about your stay on the rim the day before going down and the day you come back up.

Also, they will take your meal reservations. For dinner you have a choice between Hiker's Stew, steak and a vegetarian meal. I thought I wanted a steak after that long hike but I didn't have the stomach for it and was wishing for the stew. You will also order your breakfast and a bag lunch that you will pick up before you leave. Be ready--it's all pretty pricy but what else are you going to do. The food is good and plenty of it.

You will make all these reservations with one phone call.

I was told the only way you could get a cabin was to take the mules down but you could ask.

The dorm was fine. They have around 6 bunk beds in each dorm with a bathroom with a shower. I found that people made a point to be very quiet.

A great website with lots of great info on hiking the canyon:
www.hitthetrail.com

We did South Kaibab down and Bright Angel back up. South Kaibab is steeper so you have to get your knees/legs ready for that but it gives you the best views of the canyon of the two by far.

Read up on tricks to keep your toes from hitting the end of your boots. People do bad damage to their toes if they don't keep this from happening.

I was worried about getting back up after getting to the bottom because my knees were really sore but we were told by the ranger that it is actually easier on your body coming back up. Take ibuprofen before going to bed and with breakfast before you start back up.

Hiking sticks are a must, IMO.

A lot of people do say going up is easier. One of those people wouldn't be me. I prefer going down.

Spirobulldog-thanks for the tips of good hiking here in MO, we'll have to give them a try. We are in the KC area.

Connie-we would probably use the mules to pack our camping gear if we have to do that, I'm still holding out hope for a cabin or dorm at Phantom Ranch tho! I figure if and when I get the reservation then I'll start asking all of the questions about what gear we need, how best to prepare and start reading up on that stuff. First things first tho, figure out where we are staying and when we are going! Can't wait for May 1st to start calling bright and early!

We have been down there three times, once at Phantom and twice camping. We prefer the campground over the dorms at Phantom; the campground is very clean and you have more privacy and a very scenic setting right on the creek. But if you can get a cabin at Phantom that is the beat. And now that they have cut back on the jumper of mules, there are one or two cabins for hikers.

If you do wish to camp, you can pay to send most of your gear down on the mules and that is money well spent, especially if you are mot experienced backpackers.

We prefer the stew dinner over the steak, both for the food and the time for dinner. 5:00 is too early for us to have dinner.

So sad, we had 3 phones going and called for 1 hr 45 min. straight before I finally got through and they were already completely booked for May 2013. Now we are contemplating camping or maybe trying a winter month (November maybe??). Not sure we can even get accommodations then either. Feb. only had room for me in the dorm, no men's spots available so didn't check any further on earlier months. Any thoughts on going in the winter, is the hiking really treacherous then? Other question is if we try getting a camping permit for April or May do you try to book meals at the Phantom Ranch first and then get the permit to match the meal availability or get the permit first and then see if meals are available? Not sure what to do now, I was so hoping to get a reservation today

hey, I share your pain; we also tried for hours and couldn't get reservation...

It is rumered that Phantom is one of the hardest places in the US to get reservations.

You can call back from time to time and see if there are cancellations. Every time we have been down there, we have met people who lucked into a cancellation a few weeks before.

As for hiking in the winter, it is beautiful at the bottom of the canyon, and temperatures are moderate. The top part of the trail can be snowy or worse yet, icy. But people do hike it pretty much every day. Hiking poles and traction devices on your boots (like StabilIcers) help a lot. The trail is wide and well-graded, and the mules punch holes that rough it up a lot. You are not in danger of going over the edge, just slipping and falling on your bum.

As for camping at Bright Angel, as I mentioned above we prefer that over staying in the dorms at Phantom. The campground is very nice. If you try to book meals at Phantom first, then you are limiting your dates for getting a permit. You are much more likely to get a permit if you are flexible on dates, especially in April and May, which are popular times. So I suggest getting the permit first, and then looking for meals at Phantom. We have always been able to score 5 dinners; not one th efirst call but with persistence. We take our own breakfast and get coffee at the kitchen window.

If you would rather not carry full packs with camping gear, you can send a 30-p[ound duffel down on the mules for around $60 (each way). It is worth it in terms of comfort and making the hike more enjoyable, especially if you have creaky old knees like I do. They only take gear down to Phantom with no intermediate drop point, so if you want to do this you cannot include a night at Indian Garden on the way back up. Some people like to break up the hike out of the canyon that way to make it easier, but I would take an extra night at Bright Angel over a night at Indian Garden any day.

for camping any time in April you would send your application (by fax) on Dec. 1. For May, on Jan. 1.

I also tried for almost 2 hours non-stop this morning with no luck. Bummer...time to start preparing Plan B.

Thanks enzian, we may try the camping route and we would probably send our gear by mule, don't think we want to try carrying that. Good to know that it is better to get the camping permit first, I wasn't sure which route to go there.