I was interested to hear if you got a reservation. I came across this forum while on the phone trying to get a reservation. I have the same story... 2hours of trying but no luck!!

Sherry---I think lots of people do it the other way round---book Phantom meals first and then try to get a permit for their dates. Then they don't get a permit because they had no flexibility, and then they have to cancel their meals. But they might not do it right away.

So If you get the permit and call right away for meals, they will probably be sold out. Just keep calling back. Once it took me 5 tries, but I was booking 5 dinners each night for 2 nights, so just kept adding them.

The Wave, Phantom Ranch, Half Dome--you might hit the lotterey before getting one of those.

I've never tried Phantom yet, I have tried twice each on the wave and half dome. Didn't score on any of those tries.

Seriously though, you could try somewhere else in Utah. Maybe go to the north rim, then hike something in Zion or Bryce. Really can't go to wrong with any of them. I do know though, that when you have your heart set on something, that's whay you want to do. I think you should consider camping and just letting the mules tote everything for you. Might be a better experience anyway. My friend that has hiked down says she thinks Oct and May are best months. I don't know for sure, but I doubt in November you would have to much weather to worry about. It might be really comfortable then anyway.

Depending on which route you take, do determine where water is available at, so you will know when to fill up you bottles, camelbacks, or whatever you have.

After some discussion my husband decided he would do the mule trip down so we booked a 2 night mule trip the very end of February (all that was available except for Dec./Jan for 2 night trip). I'm so excited. Now we can take the 2nd day at Phantom Ranch and hike some and then maybe even hike part of the way down Bright Angel Trail on the day we get back from the mule trip (we get back around 1:00) so we'll still have half a day. We have our rooms on the rim the day before and after the trip so I think we're set. Now I need to start researching the mule trip a little more so I know what to take!

Glad you are able to make the trip down. I'd love to do it but DH is very negative and also probably wouldn't make the weight limit.

That was part of my husband's reluctance, he will have to lose about 5 pounds. He has plenty of time to do it in. If he doesn't make the weight he's prepared to hike down, we still have the cabin and meals reserved.

We went in mid March. There was still lots of snow and ice on the trails about 1/4 of the way down. It really scared me but Yak Trax made me feel secure and none of us had any problems. After the snow you end up in mud and then powdery dirt with lots of steps up/down. I found I much preferred the snow/ice.

My sister has done the canyon 4 times--always in winter. Temps are much better for hiking in that part of the country. We started with heavy layers and peeled off layers as we went down because it gets warmer and warmer--but pleasantly warm. I just can't imagine doing that hike in the summer months.

I thought they had a very lenient cancellation policy--48 hours I think. Since people have to book it so far in advance, I think both those factors create lots of cancellations. Keep trying.

We have the mule trip booked which gets us the cabin for 2 nights and the meals the whole time so I asked on the phone if we should get there and he didn't make the weight could he walk down and still stay in the cabin and eat his meals we had already paid for and they said yes. I was surprised. Their cancellation policy is very lenient, 48 hours in advance for a full refund. Of course they probably have no problem filling every cancellation. We will have to figure out what to wear as it will be cold at the rim and much nicer at the bottom.

You will definitely need to dress in layers. Our 4 previous mule trips have been in December (cold and snowy on a couple of trips).
Definitely wear long underwear (we always wear silk, it is warm and lightweight), over that jeans. On top we had the silk, then either a t-shirt or turtleneck, fleece jacket and rain/wind jacket. They will give you a yellow rain slicker too. Very chic !!
Footwear - silk sock liners, and wool socks. Wore Keen Voyager shoes. Good for riding and good for hiking at PR. Don't forget wool / fleece hat and gloves.

Giddyup

I wouldn't wear anything cotton, if I wanted to keep warm or cool. However, if riding a mule, not sure what I would wear.

Sherry:

On the one hand, I have seen people ranging from 6 yo-mid 80s hiking into and out of Phantom. Those at the end of the age spectrum all hired mules to take their gear for them. Initially, I was going to write that you could easily do the hike down into the canyon--with only a day pack it really isn't that bad. (this is coming from someone who has backpacked from rim to river and back 4x from both the north and south rim. It was a stretch to call some of them trails. The North Kaibab and Bright Angel are AWESOME trails!!!)

BUT when you wrote that your husband would have to lose weight to ride the mules--he'll need to be that weight to successfully hike into the canyon (unless he is really super tall and thus is height and weight proportional ). So good for you for getting the mule ride.

The one thing none has mentioned here (that i have seen) is hiking/trekking poles. Do not go into the Canyon without them!!! Just collapse them and put them in your gear bag and then you can use them for day hikes once you get into the canyon. Practice with them before you go. The other secret for doing big downhills is to tie your boots correctly-- ask at your local outdoors store or google something like tying knots for hiking downhill. And, lastly, go to a dance store and buy the gel pads they put in toe shoes! Get the pink kind--they are thicker. They fit over the toes of your socked foot and then you slip your foot into your boots. It helps absorb the force of going downhill. On my last trip off the North Rim, I only lost 3 toenails using these methods!

Good advice StantonHyde! My husband is 6'2" and about 205 so he is proportionate and in fairly good shape. I know we will do some hiking while we are in the canyon so hopefully we'll both have a great time. I don't think they will let you take trekking poles on the mules unless they collapse really small and I haven't seen any that get that small. My understanding is it is a pretty small plastic bag they give you for your overnight stuff. I'm sure I'll find out more when I get the info in the mail. Thanks again.

Unless the hiking poles fit in the plastic bags, you will not be allowed to take them along. I don't think I've ever seen hiking poles that can collapse to that small a size. The bag size is about 10" x 20" (and you must be able to roll the top of the bag to secure the contents)
We have always seen "hiking sticks" around PR that people have used and left there.
If you are hiking to Ribbon Falls on your extra day, you really don't need hiking poles, except for the last mile or so before the falls, the hike is pretty much flat (with only slight elevation gain) all the way.
When you husband goes to weigh in, tell him to remove everything but the bare necessities ie: watch, belt, wallet, phone, keys. They are really strict about the 200lb weight limit.
Giddyup

So if you go in on the mules, they restrict you to what seems like a very small bag. But if you pay the money for the mules to haul your gear you must get a lot more space--people send their tents and food down. hmm. Oh well, that's the system and you have to go with it! I will say that I don't use poles for usual day hiking--its the weight of a full pack and the severe down hill that make me reach for my poles.

Forgot to add--I can see why the weight limit is 200 lbs but that does leave out people/men who are tall. It's not too hard to be 200 lbs if you are over 6 feet.

I agree, 200 lbs is tough for a tall guy but I also see why they have it. It is quite a trip for the mules. I'm sure my husband will do whatever he can to make the weight and we'll make sure he doesn't have anything extra on his body. I figure I will carry the camera, and anything extra because I won't have any trouble with the weight part.

Good to know that hiking poles won't be needed for Ribbon Falls because that is the one place we want to go to while we're at Phantom Ranch. Any other suggestions of what to do on our day at PH?

PS - You will have 2 plastic bags to carry your stuff down with you.
If you were only spending 1 night at Phantom Ranch you would only get 1 bag.
They won't weigh you with the camera. My husband even wore his "light" clothes to weigh in.
Giddyup

PS - What else to do on your free day at PR?
Depending on what time you start your hike to Ribbon Falls and how fast you hike and how long you spend there, it may take up much of the day.
Another great little hike is up the Clear Creek Trail - there is a great view overlooking PR and just a little bit around the corner are some great views of the Colorado River.
You could also walk down to the Colorado River.
And you could also visit your mules !!
After hiking all the way to Ribbon Falls and back, you might not feel much like doing anything other than having a lemonade in the canteen.
Giddyup

That helps to know he can wear his "light clothes", maybe a windsuit??? I figured they would weigh him just before he got on the mule. Learning more all the time thanks to you guys!

You should check in at the Bright Angel transportation desk the day before your ride. They will weigh you both, and then get you to read and sign a waiver form. They will give you 2 plastic bags each and your yellow rain slickers.
Then you can go to Bright Angel Lodge or El Tovar and pig out at the restaurant !!!!
If for some reason your DH doesn't make the weight, (maybe 1 or 2lbs over, they will ask him to come back on the morning of the ride to try again. If that's the case, then it's no dinner and no breakfast for him to try and make the 200lb weight limit. But if that happens, he needs to put some granola bars or candy or whatever in his coat pockets so he can get some food into him before the ride.
For a trip in February 2013, he has plenty of time to lose 5 to 10 lbs.
On our first trip my DH lost over 25 lbs.
If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Giddyup