[cactuscat]

Hi everyone.
I am hoping to head to Grand Canyon for a few leisurely nights of camping on the South Rim and dayhiking - preferably in June. Now i just need a way to get there!
So I am looking for a ride ... and hiking partner, if you like. If we take your car, I will pay for gas and park entrance ... or we could rent a car and split the costs. Once there, we can hike together or seperately. I am planning on camping at Mather C.G. - or possibly dispersed camping on Forest Service land near grandview fire lookout - and you can share my site if you like. I am planning on hiking Hermit to Dripping Springs one day, and Grandview to Horseshoe Mesa another.
I am very flexible on dates, but I strongly prefer to avoid weekends.
PM me if interested, and we will chat!

[azbackpackr]

Sounds fun if weather not too hot. You might consider putting it up as an event, although it sounds like you want to be flexible as to dates so as to accomodate the other person? I might be interested in doing the Waldron/Dripping Springs loop via Waldron trailhead. But it's way too early for me to make a decision, since I am not even living in the US right now. I will be back in May, though.

[cactuscat]

I don't want to post it as an event because I really only want to go with one other person, or two at the most. Also, I don't even care whether we hike together or not - I really just need a ride, or someone to split cost of renting a car.
The Waldron trail option does sound interesting, I would be up for that as well.

[azbackpackr]

Too early to think about it for me, though.

[Jim_H]

Best time of year to hike to the bottom. Hot, dry, and long days.

[azbackpackr]

Truthfully, I am probably going to be seriously nose-to-the-grindstone working this summer, and if I go to the Canyon it is going to be to the North Rim to do the Powell Plateau, later in the summer after it starts raining. Waldron/Dripping Springs loop is on my to do list, but I would rather do those when it's cooler.

Also, unless I can get some healing for this foot problem of mine, I am going to have to take up mountain bike-packing, and multiday kayaking, bicycle touring, etc. Right now it even hurts to walk over to the beach, half a block away. I have tried staying off of it, and it gets better, but then it comes back again.

[The Hippy]

I can suggest attempting to join us as the other end of the GC at Supai Village and Havasu Creek...
We are driving up to Supai June 25th early evening to late night.
but thats probably not the end of the GC you want to explore...

[azbackpackr]

Well, I'll see. I have been to Havasupai a bunch of times, and I do try to travel someplace new (to me) every time I hike the Canyon. That being said, I have not seen the new waterfalls at Supai. I have noticed that your dates are well after my return to the U.S., so I will keep it in mind! Thank you very much for wanting to include me, I do appreciate that very much!

Also, as I have been whining about elsewhere, until this left foot of mine gets better, I ain't hikin' anywhere!

[The Hippy]

Get better darned foot!
And I have always spouted the more the merrier, i love meeting new people.
the new falls are interesting to say the least! nothing looks the same at all, WOW.
Hoping to do Royal Arch Loop someday!! By the time I have enough vacation time for that I'm sure your foot will be better!
45 miles in the GC...sounds fantastic...you know what I would LOOOOOVE to do though, above all?!
I wanna go all out Butchart/Fletcher style! Now THAT would be a dream come true...

[azbackpackr]

I know a guy who was doing that, a little at a time, off the N. Rim, and he has a bunch of friends who are still doing it. They go in a week at a time, usually. They have a big network of friends, including river runners who will leave food caches for them. We left two rocket boxes full of food, batteries and margarita mix and tequila hidden by the river for one of his friends last summer (way downriver not too far from Diamond). And usually someone who can drop them off or pick them up out on the Strip. They carry a sat phone. These guys are serious, and sometimes are out there for 10+ days.

These guys go off the N. Rim. Better access, no Indian reservation when you get way out west. It takes most of them years to finish.

[The Hippy]

That is freaking amazing! My boyfriend and I would Luhuhuhuuuvve! to get into that madness, if only we had the time!!! Eh, someday!! Sounds like I better start rubbin elbows with some of those guys tho!

[cactuscat]

I can suggest attempting to join us as the other end of the GC at Supai Village and Havasu Creek...
We are driving up to Supai June 25th early evening to late night.
but thats probably not the end of the GC you want to explore...

Actually, I would be VERY interested in exploring that part of the Canyon - been wanting to get there for years!