Grand Canyon rim to rim

[displacedtexan]

So, I'm open to any thoughts/tips/experiences on it.... But we're planning a trip (my hunting partner and our wives) in September most likely.

My wife and I are both big fans of hammock camping. And we can't find any indicator if any campsites at the bottom are hammock friendly.

It's not a deal breaker at all, but I'm uninterested in packing gear there's a 0% chance of using.

 

[Milestone522]

No experience there so I can't help.

Just curious if you have read Colin Fletcher's book about backpacking the Grand Canyon "The Man Who Walked Through Time" ? Great read...he did it back in the 60s.

 

[mike.adams.467]

Following this one. That hike is on my wish list.

 

[JohnB]

No experience there so I can't help.

Just curious if you have read Colin Fletcher's book about backpacking the Grand Canyon "The Man Who Walked Through Time" ? Great read...he did it back in the 60s.

Also check out the newer book titled A Walk in the Park. It's a bit breathless at times but is quite good.

 

[LFC911]

@Mark at EXO ran the rim to rim to rim last year and may have some info for the OP

 

[LaHunter]

I doubt you will find a hammock friendly camp site. Your are required to camp in a designated spot within the Canyon. I would recommend not doing the rim to rim during September. The bottom of the Canyon will be well above 100 degrees F during the day. There is a lot of info online if you simply do a Google search. A rim to rim hike that includes camping within the Canyon takes a good bit of planning and you are required to have a permit to camp within the Grand Canyon. This hike is legit. It is approximately 24 miles with a lot of elevation loss / gain.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I stayed a couple nights in the bottom of the canyon at Bright Angel Campground a few years ago and don’t recall there being any hammock posts or enough trees to hang one.

 

[displacedtexan]

I doubt you will find a hammock friendly camp site. Your are required to camp in a designated spot within the Canyon. I would recommend not doing the rim to rim during September. The bottom of the Canyon will be well above 100 degrees F during the day. There is a lot of info online if you simply do a Google search. A rim to rim hike that includes camping within the Canyon takes a good bit of planning and you are required to have a permit to camp within the Grand Canyon. This hike is legit. It is approximately 24 miles with a lot of elevation loss / gain.

I'm familiar with all of that... But we've stayed in lots of designated spots that are hammock friendly.

 

[displacedtexan]

I stayed a couple nights in the bottom of the canyon at Bright Angel Campground a few years ago and don’t recall there being any hammock posts or enough trees to hang one.

I kinda figured it was unlikely... But hammocks are light and comfortable, so if we carried a heavier setup that we like less!

 

[displacedtexan]

Following this one. That hike is on my wish list.

It's been on ours a while, and we found a workable window and decided to just plan on it and do our best to get the permits!

 

[butcherboy]

You won’t find anywhere to hang a hammock in the campsites and I’m sure they would frown on it if it was attached to trees or heavy brush. The Rangers are pretty strict on stuff like that. I hiked it rim to rim to rim as a teenager and it’s an incredible adventure! Stayed at Bright Angel campground for 1 night going and coming back. Stayed I think 3 nights at the northern campground but I can’t remember what it’s called now. We hiked a few shorter trails from there. Fishing is incredible once you get on the North side in the smaller creek. While staying at Bright Angel you can walk around and explore Phantom Ranch as well. A few years before this trip I hiked the New Hance trail which is considered primitive and it was pretty scary at a few spots with the trail disappearing a few times. I don’t recommend that one.

 

[displacedtexan]

You won’t find anywhere to hang a hammock in the campsites and I’m sure they would frown on it if it was attached to trees or heavy brush. The Rangers are pretty strict on stuff like that. I hiked it rim to rim to rim as a teenager and it’s an incredible adventure! Stayed at Bright Angel campground for 1 night going and coming back. Stayed I think 3 nights at the northern campground but I can’t remember what it’s called now. We hiked a few shorter trails from there. Fishing is incredible once you get on the North side in the smaller creek. While staying at Bright Angel you can walk around and explore Phantom Ranch as well. A few years before this trip I hiked the New Hance trail which is considered primitive and it was pretty scary at a few spots with the trail disappearing a few times. I don’t recommend that one.

Ha! We were talking today, both of us were planning on packing a fly rod.

Bright Angel was the plan, but not firm on that part.

 

[Schmitty]

Do the whole hike in one day and forego carrying all of that weight. Better yet go R2R2R with a rest day in between. We prefer to hike S2N and stay 2 nights on the N. Rim and hike back N2S. Phantom will hot as he'll in September. I try and pass thru there as early as possible. R2R2R is also much easier logistically and really enjoyable with a rest day or 2 in between. Hardest part is getting a room on the N. Rim. South has plenty of lodging options...