Needing assist to plan a Colorado Rafting trip for 2 adults, May of 2011. I've done some research and am aware that boats launch and land at various places between Lees Ferry and Lake Mead. Read a great intro article in The Rough Guide to the GC. Costs from all companies seem comparable and we can work the transportation and lodgings out later. I can't find a trip that fits my wish list exactly but does anyone know of a trip that may meet most ?
1) Priority is NON-motorized boat. Like a Hybrid trip; oar or paddle powered trip
2) 2 to 3 nights, 3 to 4 days
3) Overnight at Phantom Ranch. Prefer to hike TO vs FROM canyon floor.
Thanks ahead of time!

The oar and paddle boats typically take 5-6 days to raft from Lee's Ferry (river mile 0) to Phantom (mile 88). Then another 5-7 days from Phantom if your take-out is the dude ranch that helicopters people off the river at Whitmore Wash (mile 188) or 6-8 days if taking out at Diamond Creek (mile 226).

So you likely won't be able to do this in 2-3 nights from Phantom in an oar/paddle raft, sorry.

I think some of the companies that take out at Whitmore can also drop people off at Whitmore, so you can then raft the rest of the river, either to the take-out at Diamond Creek or all the way to Lake Mead (Pierce Ferry, mile 280). The problem with going to Lake Mead is you lose the current once you reach the head of the reservoir and it's very slow to paddle across the lake, especially if there is wind.

You also miss all the best white-water if you start at Whitmore.

I've done one motorized trip (Hatch) and several hybrid oar/paddle trips (AzRA) and while I prefer the smaller paddle boats I would suggest that with just 3-4 days you're probably better off with a motorized boat. The timing doesn't work out as well in an oar/paddle trip for a short trip.

I agree with Bill. I don't think you can do a short trip with a stop at Phantom. I don't think you can do a short trip with out a motor either. It really is an incredible experience. We did a motorized 3 day/2 night which started out @ Bar 10 Ranch. You were then helicoptered down into the canyon. Spending the night on the banks of the river is a really neat experience. The last half day we transfered onto a jet boat. The big motorized boat we were on, was actually to smooth for me. I am sure that the smaller boats would seem much wilder. I could have easily gone for several more days, but my wife just wanted a short trip. It was great for our first trip, but I am sure it would be even better on a longer trip and smaller craft. We did take a few side hiking trips to indian artifacts, waterfalls, etc. We went with Arizona River Runners and thought they were really good. I imagine all of them are good.

One more thing. You might consider The Cateract Canyon, it is next on my list. Most of those tours run 4 days.

John, to keep the terminology straight, when spirobulldog wrote "We did a motorized 3 day/2 night which started out @ Bar 10 Ranch" he's referring to a trip starting at Whitmore Wash, river mile 188. This dude ranch is above the river and they have a helicopter pad to ferry people down to the river, and an airstrip to fly people back to Marble Canyon or Flagstaff or Vegas.

I found a good company that does offer oar trips from Whitmore to Diamond Creek (mile 188 - mile 226), four day trips in a small boat. Probably this is what would fit your requirements best (except this is all well downstream from Phantom Ranch, and you'll be putting in past all the most exciting rapids).

The company is OARS. I haven't rafted with them but they have an excellent reputation, probably one of the 3-4 most highly regarded companies on the river. Here's a link to this specific trip:

http://www.oars.com/grandcanyon/raft...mondcreek.html

They also offer a 7 day oar trip from Phantom to Whitmore (mile 88 - mile 188). The big advantage to this one is that you will hit the five biggest rapids on the entire river, so if whitewater is your goal this is the best trip, if you can spare the extra couple of days (and extra money). Here's the link:

http://www.oars.com/grandcanyon/raft...tmorewash.html

If you want a shorter trip than the ones suggested, you'll have to go with a motorized raft. Some outfitters offer a 5-day 4-night trip from Phantom to Whitmore, That does not include an overnight at Phantom, which is very hard to reserve. Otherwise, you would have to hike quickly down the trail, as I believe they generally pick you up around 1:00.

If you would consider hiking OUT from Phantom instead, the so-called "upper canyon" trips from Lees Ferry to Phantom are a bit shorter.

The complete list of approved outfitters :

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisi...cessioners.htm

Thanks for your responses. Did not realize there was so much to planning a Colo River trip. Used to simple float trips on our Missouri Rivers! Favorite so far is an upper or lower canyon trip with Canyoneers. Just have to wait for them to post 2010 trip dates.

OP, what did you end up doing? I have similar criteria as you. Thanks.

I read a bit more and please recommend a trip that meets these requirements:
* 3 to 4 days this Memorial weekend
* Hike down Grand Canyon
* Stay in a campsite provided by outfitter (Phantom Ranch is hard to book)
* Raft and helicopter out? (Is helicopter the only way to get out besides hiking?)

Please recommend a company. Thanks!

You can find 4 day/3 night or 3 day/2 night trips on the lower section of the canyon, beginning about river mile 180 at Bar 10 Ranch. You miss all the really big rapids but still hit a few smaller ones.

These trips do not involve a hike down but you will get to camp on the river bank (I think you sleep at the dude ranch the first night). You would fly into Bar 10, chopper down to the river, and ride a shuttle bus back to Vegas (or where ever) at the end of the trip.

Here's a link to a company offering the 4/3 and 3/2 packages ... Google on 'grand canyon rafting 4 nights' to see several others:

http://www.westernriver.com/trips/grand4day/
http://www.westernriver.com/trips/grand3day/

spirobulldog, who posted to this thread last year, has done this trip and enjoyed it.

It was a very good trip. This would probably be something to try if you weren't sure about the "whole shebang" or simply didn't have time for the longer trips. You do stay at a ranch the first night, which is pretty cool. You ride horses and four wheelers in the afternoon. The ranch operates on solar power. The air strip getting to the place is interesting in also. You can spend 1 or 2 nights in the canyon. They do stop and take a few hikes to indian artifacts/ruins, along with a hike to waterfalls etc. We used Arizon River Runners. I think all the companies would be fairly good to deal with. You fly out of Vegas for these short trips.