Inside The Rim
Itinerary
Grand Canyon Trip, September 8-16, 2012
Saturday, September 8
We will fly to Phoenix and drive 4 hours to the Grand Canyon National Park. The sprawling Grand Canyon Village is discreetly tucked in among pinyon pines and juniper trees. Enjoy an evening stroll around the grounds, peek inside El Tovar Hotel, where Teddy Rosevelt frequently dined, and get a first glimpse of the famous architecture of Mary Colter. We’ll bed down at Mather Campground for the first of two nights.
Sunday, September 9
Hiking distance: 2 miles, Hiking time: 1.5 hours, Starting elevation: 6800 ft., Ending elevation: 6800 ft.
I’ll lead an easy morning hike to warm up the leg muscles and you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the civilized rim and its amenities (you know, like plumbing and sofas), all while taking in the breath-taking views.
Relaxing on the rim: Spend hours picking out frig magnets for your family, get a chocolate shake at the soda fountain right on the rim, or browse through the authentic native american art and craftwork in the Hopi House. You can also take a free shuttle to various lookouts along the South Rim or just sit and watch people from all over the world. Camp for a second night at Mather Campground.
Monday, September 10
Hiking distance: 7 miles, Hiking time: 5 hours, Starting elevation: 7200 ft., Ending elevation: 2480 ft.
Throw on your pack and start the most magnificent hiking day of your life! This trail will take your breath away at every turn.
We’ll park at the Backcountry Office, weigh our packs on their hanging scale, and then catch the shuttle to the South Kaibab Trail Head. Enjoy the stunning views at Cedar Ridge, O’Neill Butte, The Tipoff, and every inch of trail in between! Then descend into the Inner Gorge and catch glimpses of the Colorado River. What seems like a tiny stream will become a grand waterway as you complete the journey to the bottom and make your way to the Bright Angel Campground.
After setting up camp, you have options to explore Phantom Ranch and hear a ranger talk at the outdoor amphitheater.
Tuesday, September 11
Hiking distance: 7 miles, Hiking time: 5 hours, Starting elevation: 2480 ft., Ending elevation: 4080 ft.
Eat, pack lunches, break camp, and head up the North Kaibab Trail, towards the North Rim. Notice how you begin to forget about the rest of your life and completely commit to this landscape, these trails, this incredible group of women.
Arrive at Cottonwood Campground, the most remote camping location you will likely ever experience. With a helicopter landing pad behind the campground, you'll feel safe that you're only minutes away from medical care in the Grand Canyon Village or Flagstaff. Although you won't need it! Enjoy a quite evening a this incredible site, taking in the bright heaven of stars above, unadulterated by light pollution.
Wednesday, September 12
Hiking distance: optional distances. Starting elevation: 4080 ft., Ending elevation: 4080 ft.
This is your optional hiking day. You can ditch your big, heavy pack and either do a 3-mile round trip to Ribbon Falls, a 4.2-mile round trip up to Roaring Springs, or the full 13.6-mile round trip to the North Rim and back (elevation 8250 ft.). This is your day to choose what feels best to you.
Make a list of the things you want to leave in the Canyon: old emotions and beliefs, grudges, habits, and self-doubts.
We'll meet back at the campground at 4 pm and trade stories from the day while cooking and drinking hot tea at the picnic table.
Thursday, September 13
Hiking distance: 7 miles, Hiking time: 4.5 hours, Starting elevation: 4080 ft., Ending elevation: 2480 ft.
Break camp and hike 7 miles back down to the bottom of the Canyon. Enjoy the new-found confidence of hiking along a familiar trail and try your hand at recognizing terrain from the opposite vantage point. Not as easy as it sounds!
Make a list of the things you want to take with you from the Canyon: new beliefs, confidence, and emotions.
Sleep soundly at Bright Angel Campground.
Friday, September 14
Hiking distance: 4.3 miles, Hiking time: 3 hours, Starting elevation: 2480 ft., Ending elevation: 3800 ft.
Enjoy an easy day. We'll sleep in a bit, lounge around lazily, have a good breakfast, and then break camp and hike half way up the South Rim along Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden, an oasis with a host of Cottonwood trees to take shade under.
Partake in an optional 2-mile round trip out to Plateau Point, a cliff overlooking the Colorado 1300 feet below, if you can't seem to sit still and want to see it all.
Camp at Indian Garden Campground and burn the list of things you are leaving in the Canyon.
Saturday, September 15
Hiking distance: 4.6 miles, Hiking time: 3-4 hours, Starting elevation: 3800 ft., Ending elevation: 6800 ft.
Take it on out of the Canyon! Complete your amazing feat and celebrate your accomplishment back at the top with a long-deserved shower!
Repack equipment, prepare for departure on Sunday. Enjoy a special meal at El Tovar in their famous dining room.
Sleep in an historic cabin, only feet from the rim.
Sunday, September 16
Get a quick bite for breakfast, load up, and drive 4 hours back to Phoenix and the airport. Fly back to Milwaukee, a changed person.
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Contact Julie for further info: 414-305-3113 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
