Advice for Grand Canyon Trip

[ByMyBeard]

Looking for advice. My family is planning our first trip to Arizona in a couple of weeks. We're very excited about it, but this will also be a VERY different trip than we typically take. We will be doing a fair amount of hiking (for us...we do have a 10 year old), and I'm curious about what the "essential" gear would be. A few notes:

• We will be doing mostly "short" hikes. ~2 miles. Hoping the trip is 2 hrs max at a time.
• We will be hitting trails in Sedona as well as Antelope Canyon Tour ahead of spending time at GC.
• We have backpacks/flashlights/first aid/clothing items mostly figured out.
  • Any insight regarding how "cool/cold" it is on trails would be appreciated though!
  • We aren't super early risers, and don't intend to be doing any late night hikes.
• Specific Question - Hiking Poles? Are those really needed for short day hikes?
• Specific Question 2 - Water Bottles - how "big" should we look for?
  • Hydration pack is not something I'm really interested in for this, but open to feedback if I should reconsider.

Obviously if we enjoy this trip, we may be looking to upgrade things in the future. For now, I'm just curious what we should consider to ensure we are prepared and not miserable.

Thanks!

 

[MrSpeedy]

Looking for advice. My family is planning our first trip to Arizona in a couple of weeks. We're very excited about it, but this will also be a VERY different trip than we typically take. We will be doing a fair amount of hiking (for us...we do have a 10 year old), and I'm curious about what the "essential" gear would be. A few notes:

• We will be doing mostly "short" hikes. ~2 miles. Hoping the trip is 2 hrs max at a time.
• We will be hitting trails in Sedona as well as Antelope Canyon Tour ahead of spending time at GC.
• We have backpacks/flashlights/first aid/clothing items mostly figured out.
  • Any insight regarding how "cool/cold" it is on trails would be appreciated though!
  • We aren't super early risers, and don't intend to be doing any late night hikes.
• Specific Question - Hiking Poles? Are those really needed for short day hikes?
• Specific Question 2 - Water Bottles - how "big" should we look for?
  • Hydration pack is not something I'm really interested in for this, but open to feedback if I should reconsider.

Obviously if we enjoy this trip, we may be looking to upgrade things in the future. For now, I'm just curious what we should consider to ensure we are prepared and not miserable.

Thanks!

Having done a lot of hiking and backpacking, as well as hiked in southern Arizona and completed a R2R of the GC, I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

For specific weather conditions I would rely on direct information from that area. Wunderground, weather.com, etc. The GC Web site has a weather page; definitely look at that.

Hiking poles - probably not necessary unless you plan to go below the rim at the Grand Canyon. Be aware that even a "short" trip below the rim - to Ooh Ahh Point, for example - means you have to come back up. That seems obvious, but...

Water bottles - just pick up a couple of Smart water bottles and reuse those. For a 2 hour hike in AZ in March/April I would suggest at least a liter p/person. Possibly more if it's warmer than you anticipated and/or are used to.

Some general info: the sun is really bright in Arizona. Every member of your party should have a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, especially if you are out in the middle of the day. In addition, long sleeves, at least on your upper body, can help protect from the sun. Even a long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirt is better than nothing. Hydrate all the time. Pack some snacks in your backpack, especially with a little one. Trail mix, granola bars, the usual.

Have a great trip! I love Arizona and would move their in a heartbeat if I could convince my wife. Share pictures when you return.

From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago (this was late December).

 

[DrakeMegrim]

^^ This is great advice.

I'd bring water for the day, GC is high desert and you'll drink more water than you think. There aren't a lot of water points on trails and it's easy to dehydrate. I almost always take 2-3 liters on day hikes. Don't underestimate the elevation as well. It's easy to get tired from how thin the air is.

I almost always bring crampons or yaktrax. Depending on the trail you take, some of the switchbacks don't get sun and can be iced over. Hiking poles help but something to grip compacted ice is ideal.

Enjoy the hiking and make sure you share your adventure!

 

[EdHeart]

@MrSpeedy posted excellent advice. My take is similar but a tad different based upon my preferences and lifestyle but follow a similar theme.

I always hike wearing a lightweight Buff and a brimmed hat. The Buff serves to keep sweat out of my eyes and protects against bugs. I also bring a jacket to layer depending upon weather and conditions. I travel with some sort of water filtration and am not a fan of purchasing water, though will do that when this may be the best alternative. MrSpeedy makes a very good case for the format of water he recommended.

When hiking I lean very heavily toward a hydration bladder. A good backpack will have an exit for the straw and it is easy to keep it right where you need it. Very little energy is spent finding a bottle, then relocating it in a side pocket on your pack. It is quicker, less distracting and keeps your body in better alignment while continuing to move.

I carry a two liter bladder almost always. I don't like being short of water and don't mind the weight. I prefer having more for a "just in case" scenario. I'll say this having a dehydration headache is bad enough, but couple that with at a bit of altitude and it's not fun at all.

I like having poles with me, especially if there are inclines/declines that are particularly steep and gnarly. Having the poles planted in front of you on a decline, if used properly, will afford you the ability to stabilize your descent. I'm thinking a gravelly situation, you'll potentially not be sliding down uncontrolled. Of course, forgive the emphasis, understanding the terrain with a glance, knowing your skill level with the tool in hand and understanding what's under your feet by feel will contribute to or detract from the efficacy of using poles. Today's collapsible poles are relatively like and can be stowed in/strapped to your pack so you're carrying them if not needed. I didn't need them hiking Red Rocks or walking down into Walnut Canyon.

I hike a local trail that is particularly steep, heavily wooded, and rutted from rainfall that has revealed gravel, rock and tree roots. I'm not keen on sliding downhill on my butt and/or falling.

I was in Arizona once and hiked Red Rocks, saw the GC, Monument Valley, Spyder Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Walnut Canyon (Flagstaff: my favorite walk and the coolest place for me), and Meteor Crater.

The Red Rocks hike was interesting. I learned I'm not really a desert sort, I prefer the mountains and more lush vegetation. That said, it was beautiful in its own right. Hiked with a tripod and old school 35mm SLR. I came around a turn on the trail and off in the distance was a storm cloud (this was August.) It threatened to rain but never did. That said, the lightening was really stunning. I was able to get a manually triggered photo on the tripod of a lightning strike. Not a great shot compositionally, but I was impressed I was able to capture such a fast moment on film manually.

I'll share some advice I was given by a local before driving from Flagstaff to Monument Valley: Don't speed through the reservation and don't kill any livestock.

I wish you and your family a fantastic time.

Please let us know what you end up doing and how you enjoyed the trip.

 

[DesertIguana]

I live in Arizona, recall on Easter time going to Grand Canynon.

We were camping, woke up, cover in Snow.

Bring warm clothing, gloves, proper head covering.

Be like BOY SCOUT PREPARED.

 

[gpjoe]

I hiked down Bright Angel trail (south rim) with my wife 35 years ago, on a whim.

We went down past the ranger station to Plateau Point overlooking the Colorado River. It was a "day hike", (12.5 miles) unlike hiking down to the Phantom Ranch, which is right on the River, and requires an overnight stay due to the distance.

It was early July so, of course it was hot. We took one liter of water each, and filled at the stations as needed.

I wore a ball cap, shorts and t-shirt, and carried a day pack with the water and snacks: trail mix and jerky. No poles, but comfortable shoes, suitable for hiking

The trip down was easy, hiking 6 miles out was grueling, and probably one of the hardest physical tasks that I've undertaken...and I was a physically fit thirty-something. Think of walking UP stairs for hours.

You can, of course, hike a mile down the switchbacks and return...MUCH easier. In fact, we were lapped by a group of nuns in full black habits who walked past us on the way down, stopped after a mile or two, and then passed us on their return. Ahhh...hiking for the Lord.

Anyway, here's one site with info:

Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point Hike

The Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point hike takes you on the Grand Canyon's most popular hiking trail to the peaceful and scenic Plateau Point, offering stunning views of the Colorado River.

hikingguy.com