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Trip Itinerary and Details: Mule-assisted Grand Canyon Classic
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Day 1
Shuttle to the South Kaibab TH: 15 minutes
Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
This classic Grand Canyon hiking tour begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a deservedly popular hiking route that offers spectacular views both up and down the Grand Canyon. It’s 7.5 miles of moderate hiking to the Bright Angel Campground, our destination and camp for the first night. This camp is one of the most charming in the Park as it’s situated at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River and adjacent to Bright Angel Creek. Campsites are shaded by tall, spreading cottonwoods, piped drinking water is available, and nearby Phantom Ranch offers a snack bar and ranger-led evening interpretive programs.
Day 2
Mileage: 0-7 miles day hiking
Elevation Gain/Loss: < 1,000 feet
This is a layover day and a chance to relax and absorb the magic of the Canyon or go on a memorable day hike. Remember your swimsuit for a soak in the cool waters of Bright Angel Creek, catch up on that book you’ve been wanting to read, spend quality time with your family exploring the area, or join your guide for a customized day hike. Hiking options include a 12 mile roundtrip hike to Ribbon Falls, a majestic waterfall feeding into Bright Angel Creek; an easy canyoneering adventure up Phantom Creek; or a breathtaking hike paralleling the Colorado River on the Clear Creek Trail. For those guests who choose to stay in camp there is a wonderful 2 mile hike (the "River Loop") to do on your own that will keep your joints loose for the next day's hike out.
Day 3
Mileage: 9.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
An early breakfast will precede a long but beautiful hike out as we make our ascent to the Grand Canyon's South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. It’s 9.3 miles from camp to the Rim, where we’ll look back over our hike and reflect on the beauty of this place and our accomplishment in achieving something that few have had the privilege of experiencing.
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- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Grand Canyon hiking guide
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day.
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and backpack
- Pack mules to porter the gear
- Use of trekking poles
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you and your family to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
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You will meet your guide and group at the Backcountry Information Center at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. You will then rendezvous with your guide and group - again at the Backcountry Information Center - the next morning to begin your hike into the Grand Canyon.
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All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, cous cous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried).
In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, energy bars, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
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What we Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter and Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware tents
- Sierra Designs sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Mountain Safety Research cooking stoves
- Mountain Safety Research cookware
What Gear to Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are three 1-liter waterbottles per person, either a headlamp or flashlight per person, and a small duffel for your clothes. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
What Clothes to Bring
For clothing please refer to your trip packet for a recommended list based on the time of year (if you don't have one yet, please contact us and we'll email you one). All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots (reliable brands include Montrail, Lowa, Merrell, Vasque, and Salomon), rain gear, and non-cotton and cotton clothing layers. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are recommended.
NOTE:
For hiking gear and clothing we recommend Tents and Trails. They'll happily ship to you, and as a Wildland Trekking guest you receive a 10% discount!
What Not to Bring
Please do not bring:
- Cell phones - It is unlikely you will get a signal anyway. On many tours we make other provisions for emergency communications (satellite phone).
- Stereos or radios
- Perfumes or colognes
- Large knives or hatchets
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Weather in the Grand Canyon
The weather in the Grand Canyon varies tremendously from the rim to the canyon floor, with as much as a 30 degree Fahrenheit difference. For this reason, the Canyon is truly a year round hiking destination. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet). Read below for average high and low temperatures at the South Rim and the Canyon bottom:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) |
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Month |
South Rim
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Canyon Bottom
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hi |
low |
hi |
low |
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Dec-Feb |
41° |
18° |
60° |
38° |
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March |
51° |
25° |
71° |
48° |
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April |
60° |
32° |
82° |
56° |
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May |
70° |
39° |
92° |
63° |
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Jun-Aug |
82° |
53° |
108° |
75° |
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September |
76° |
47° |
97° |
69° |
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October |
65° |
36° |
84° |
58° |
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November |
52° |
27° |
68° |
46° |
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Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT's, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We've developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-4453 (HIKE) for more information. |
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Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our About Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size
The standard group size on our scheduled hiking tours is five guests and one guide. On occasion our trips will have more than five guests, in which case we'll staff two guides for a consistent 5:1 ratio. Our custom and family trips often run with as many as ten guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 800-715-4453 and we'll answer all your questions. |
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MH Ross Travel Insurance Services
Travel insurance protects the investment you've made in your travel plans, and it protects you while your'e traveling. MH Ross has been in business for nearly 50 years and is one of the most respected companies in the industry. With a choice of plans that cover a broad range of potential circumstances, responsive and reliable service, and affordable rates, they're a great choice. Please read more on our Trip Insurance page. |
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To register for a hiking tour or guided backpacking trip, please complete our Request a Reservation form or call us at 800-715-4453. We'll email you a detailed trip packet and .pdf registration document and ask you to complete the document and return it via email, fax or regular mail with a $250 per person deposit (check out Terms and Conditions for information on our refund policy). The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the first day of your trip. Feel free to call us with any questions! |
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