Ask Me: The Best, Long Grand Canyon Dayhikes

Hi Michael!

Jerry and I and the boys are meeting my parents in the Grand Canyon for the first couple days of our spring break. Jerry and I want to do a big dayhike. We have already done rim-to-rim-to-rim and all varieties associated with those three trails.

So, we’re considering doing the South Kaibab to Grandview Trail (via the Tonto Trail) or vice versa. Thoughts? It would be a long day trip. Curious which direction we should do it and what else should we know?
What is total distance from South Kaibab to Grandview Point? And is there any water, at all, along the entire route? Continue reading →

Ask Me: What Backpacking Trips Do You Suggest In the Grand Canyon and Southern Utah?

Hi Michael,

I recently found your blog while planning a trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, and have devoured it over the past few months. While reading I lamented living in the Midwest, with poor access to the prime backpacking spots you describe. Well, as luck would have it my partner just got a job in Phoenix, AZ, so we two flatlanders will now be a short drive from the Grand Canyon, and accessible to Canyonlands, Arches, and much more. What backpacking trips would you most recommend as first priorities for two reasonably fit, decently equipped people new to the area? Continue reading →

Ask Me: How’s November For Hiking in the Grand Canyon?

Hi Michael:

During the second week of November, a buddy and I are considering a rim to river to rim hike in the Grand Canyon. We are planning to descend South Kaibab Trail, walk along River Trail, and ascend via Bright Angel Trail. Plan would be to start early and complete the hike in the same day. We will carry survival gear. Neither of us has been to the GC. One of us is very experienced (and in excellent physical condition), and one of us has moderate experience (in very good physical condition).

We would appreciate your comments on hiking in November—weather, trail conditions, and anything else that may assist us. We both prefer not to hike in the wet, and neither of us wants anything to do with snow! Also, if November is the wrong month to do this, we would delay until next year. Continue reading →

Ask Me: Where Should Our Family Backpack in the Grand Canyon?

Dear Michael,

My wife and I take our kids to Ketchum, Idaho, every summer and became fans of your site by finding your great recommendations and tips for the White Cloud Mountains. We are now planning a trip with our kids to the Grand Canyon. Our kids are 13 and 14 and are accustomed to multi-day backcountry hikes in the White Clouds and Sawtooths, with 2000+-foot elevation gains. We were seriously considering your suggested four-day trip east to west from Grandview Point to the South Kaibab Trail, but I just noticed that you have also recommended that to someone else in your Ask Me section in response to a request for a “big dayhike.” We don’t want to kill ourselves with an unreasonable pace, but I don’t want to allocate four days for a trip that my kids could reasonably do in two or three. Do you have any advice for what might be the best way to do this, or whether there is an alternate route you would suggest? Continue reading →

Ask Me: Can We Use a Non-Freestanding Tent in the Grand Canyon?

Hi Michael,

I’ve been reading The Big Outside for a few months now and have really enjoyed it. My brother and I are taking a trip to the Grand Canyon this year and decided to follow the itinerary you laid out in this post: thebigoutside.com/a-matter-of-perspective-a-father-daughter-hike-in-the-grand-canyon. Your tips on getting permits and planning for a trip to the Grand Canyon have proven invaluable, particularly after our last trip there (in October 2013) was essentially canceled due to the government shutdown at the time. Needless to say, we are really looking forward to going! I do have one worry, however. We are both using non-freestanding tents—I’m using a Sierra Designs Flashlight 1; my brother is using a Tarptent Rainbow—and I’m unsure of how difficult pitching will be in the canyon. Continue reading →