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Trip Itinerary and Details: Wonders of the Grand Canyon
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Day 1
Shuttle to the North Rim: 4.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
Mileage: 4.0 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,200 feet
We begin this classic Grand Canyon backpacking adventure off the North Rim and hike downhill to a broad slickrock terrace known as the Esplanade. We spend our first night at the edge of the Esplanade where we have expansive views into the inner Grand Canyon.
Day 2
Mileage: 5.0 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,600 feet
This day begins with an uphill hike to Surprise Valley. Here we turn east and hike to the spectacular and aptly named Thunder Springs, a Grand Canyon waterfall that erupts from large fissures at the Muav Limestone, Bright Angel Shale contact. After exploring Thunder Springs, we’ll hike downstream and make camp at a site known as Upper Tapeats. This is a beautiful spot located in a cottonwood riparian zone adjacent to Tapeats Creek. Time allowing, we may then day hike back to Thunder Springs or explore the magnificent Upper Tapeats drainage.
Day 3
Mileage: 5.2 miles
Elevation Loss: 450 feet
We’ll get up and start hiking our way downstream to the Colorado River. Potential stream crossings and some exposure make for exciting hiking as the trail alternates between flat, sandy stretches next to the creek and short, steep climbs over the Hakatai Shale. Eventually we’ll reach the Colorado River at Tapeats Rapid, and hike along it for a few miles on our way to Deer Creek, where we’ll make camp for the evening.
Day 4
This is a layover day (if a 6-day trip) at one of the most beautiful spots in the Grand Canyon - Deer Creek. We’ll have the opportunity to explore the enchanting Deer Creek narrows and hike to Deer Creek Falls, where the creek flows out of a narrow Tapeats Sandstone canyon and forms a large waterfall next to the Colorado River. We can swim, read, explore, or do nothing at all - this is your day to relax and absorb the magic of this place!
Day 5
Mileage: 7.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
Today’s hike takes us upstream along Deer Creek to its source. From here it’s a steep, steady uphill hike across debris from an enormous landslide that changed the course of the Colorado River. Eventually we’ll arrive at Surprise Valley and hike up through the Redwall to our Esplanade camp.
Day 6
Mileage: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 4.5-hour drive from the North Rim
On our final day we’ll retrace our hike from day one, which means crossing the Esplanade and hiking uphill through the Grand Canyon’s uppermost rock formations to gain the trailhead and civilization once again. Having just experienced five or six days below the rim - in one of the most breathtaking areas of the Grand Canyon - you’ll certainly have a different perspective on this place than you did on the first day or our trip!
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- We provide roundtrip transportation from Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon and back.
- 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 technical multi-day backpack.
- 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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Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at our office in Flagstaff, Arizona for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff at an agreed upon time.
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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. Theses items are three 1-liter waterbottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. 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 also required.
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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