Trip Itinerary
Shuttle to the South Kaibab TH: 15 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
This
Grand Canyon hiking and geology tour begins on the South Kaibab Trail, where we'll immediately begin our descent through layers of deposition 250+ million years old. We will begin by explaining the big picture of Grand Canyon geology, so you have a context to fit the finer details in as you hike. We'll descend the 2+ billion years of geologic history in 5-8 hours, taking breaks to point out intimate details, answer questions and of course eat and rest. Eventually we'll arrive at the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch.
Hiking Mileage: 0-7 miles day hiking
Elevation Gain/Loss: < 1,000 feet
We'll enjoy a grand Phantom Ranch breakfast this morning at The Canteen, then head out on the day's adventure. This is a layover day and a chance to go on a memorable day hike that will deepen and broaden our journey through time. There are multiple options today that the guide and Wayne will match with the group's interests and abilities. The wonderful thing about the Grand Canyon is that no matter where you go, you're deep inside the world's #1 geologic wonder. So be prepared for an extraordinary day of hiking, learning, exploring, and absorbing the wonder of this amazing place.
Hiking Mileage: 9.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
Today we’ll pack up and make an early departure for the South Rim. Hiking on the Bright Angel Trail along the Colorado River we'll enjoy extraordinary views of the river and the Inner Gorge, which is comprised of chaotic, mashed up rock that tells a story of a very violent geologic past. Eventually we'll emerge from the Inner Gorge and begin working our way through the horizontal depositions of sandstone, mudstone, shale, limestone, and more. The layers go from brown to red to tan to white, even blue, as we work our way through billions of years of landscape history.
Eventually we'll arrive back at the South Rim, where we'll take a few extra moments to reflect on our journey and everything we've learned, before saying our good byes.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary park restrictions, campsite availability, weather, road closures, guest ability/injury, and natural events like fires and flooding.
Trip Details
- Wayne Ranney interpretation of the Grand Canyon's geology
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Grand Canyon hiking guide
- 2 nights of lodging in the dorms (male/female) or cabins at historic Phantom Ranch
- Dinners and breakfasts at Phantom Ranch, lunches prepared by your guide
- Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
- Phantom Ranch mule service to transport extra clothes and personal items (maximum 10 pounds)
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
See the
Packing Lists page for more information.
Dinners and two breakfasts will be eaten at Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch dinners are pre-ordered and include steak, hikers stew or a vegetarian option. We'll do our best to accommodate your first choice of meals, but it will depend on availability. Also, the choices are served at different times, so if you'd like to eat with others in your group it's best to select the same meals each evening.
We provide the first breakfast and lunches for the trip. For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, 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.
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Microspike crampons when necessary
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are three 1-liter water bottles 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. All of these items are available online at
Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Please refer to the trip packet for a recommended clothing list (we email you a detailed trip packet when you inquire and when you register). 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. All of these items are available online at
Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
NOTE: See the
Packing Lists page for more detailed information on what clothes and gear to bring on your hiking tour. The trip packet you receive when you contact us will have the most accurate clothing and gear list for the tour you're interested in.
Trip Logistics
Ready to hike? Simply
click here and complete the form to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you're ready to register we'll email you a link to a registration profile. You'll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit ($500).
Feel free to call us for more info - we're here 7 days a week!
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins. For Private Phantom Ranch Tours your guide can meet you at your hotel in Tusayan or at the South Rim at an agreed upon time.
Check out our
Travel Resources page for information on flights, shuttles, lodging and more.
Your guide will inform you of the first day's rendezvous time and location at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be back to the South Rim normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
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-HIKE (4453) for more information.
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
Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time...etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms
uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides' off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
The standard group size on this hiking tour is 6 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of 7 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at
1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we'll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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 when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures at the South Rim and the Canyon bottom:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) |
| |
|
|
| |
Month |
South Rim
|
Canyon Bottom
|
|
| |
|
hi |
low |
hi |
low |
|
| |
Dec-Feb |
41° |
18° |
60° |
38° |
|
| |
March |
51° |
25° |
71° |
48° |
|
| |
April |
60° |
32° |
82° |
56° |
|
| |
May |
70° |
39° |
92° |
63° |
|
| |
Jun-Aug |
82° |
53° |
108° |
75° |
|
| |
September |
76° |
47° |
97° |
69° |
|
| |
October |
65° |
36° |
84° |
58° |
|
| |
November |
52° |
27° |
68° |
46° |
|
