Wow, thanks a lot guys. I totally see your point on not making it a grueling hike and keeping it relatively short. I'm pretty pumped up and a little nervous too (in a good way though). Guess it's time to start planning. Thanks again!

Jim, would you recommend starting at the Pine TH or Geronimo TH? I'm probably thinking of doing around 20-30 miles total. Berkforbes, I was reading the details on it. Honestly they were a little confusing. Once you pass the creek and start on the decent, did you camp in the area where it flattened o...

I am wanting to do my first solo trip in the first weekend in May. I'm looking in the Payson or Prescott area and wanting to do a 2-3 day trip. Does anyone have a good idea for me? I'm not looking for the most challenging trail, just one that will clear my mind.

I'm looking to go on my first solo backpacking trip the first weekend in May. I'm looking to get a GPS unit, but not sure which way to go. I'm looking at the Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver. Can anyone tell me if they like this or maybe point me to a better one?

I'm not sure how to use the triplog piece yet, but here's my take on the trail. The road up there was pretty carved out from the rains, but no mud obviously. The last few miles were pretty rough, but I have a 4WD 4Runner, so no issues. I did see a 2WD Mitsubishi car on the way up there, still wonder...

Thanks a lot guys. ANd Joe, thank you for the map. That really helps.

Thanks guys. We're planning on starting out at the Rogers Canyon trailhead. I heard water isn't an issue, if we ignore the dead horse down stream. My worry isn't getting lost from a vehicle perspective, but rather going from the Rogers Canyon TH to Angel Basin. I want to ensure this goes smoothly (a...

I'm hoping someone jumps on here tonight. We're heading out tomorrow and I read this link below to get a location of the Angel Basin. Can someone confirm that it's correct? I don't want to get my girlfriend and I lost down there

http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/hiki ... anyon.html

This looks like a perfect trail. I was looking at the map and didn't see Angel Basin. Is that marked when we get down there?

I'm searching for a decent overnight backpack trip in the next two weeks. I just did Hell's Gate and it was amazing....and strenuous. We started the hike late so we never had the chance to explore when we reached the bottom of the canyon. I was wondering if anyone recommended a decent hike that is a...

So is water fairly scarce throughout the hike?

I'm going to do an overnighter at Cathedral Rock - Hutch's Pool Traverse, AZ on Labor Day weekend. Are there any tips I should know about this trail? I've read the review online, so I know there is a water-less area right around Cathedral Rock. Is there a need for GPS on this hike?

nonot wrote:I would recommend that you consider a bump to get a model that has HCx, the x is the expandable memory, useful for loading maps.

This is great info guys. Thanks for helping out.

I'm looking to buy my first GPS receiver. Right now I'm looking at the Garmin Venture HC GPS receiver. (http://www.rei.com/product/761620). Anyone know much about this? Or one in the $150-300 price range that is great?

I posted a link for you on the basics but I guess you didn't take the bait. Backpacking in Grand Canyon A backcountry permit is required for all overnight backpacking. Plan to reserve your permit about 4 months prior to your planned hike. There is a fee All the contact info is on the NPS site http:...

dysfunction wrote:June 1 was the first day you could fax in your permit request for Oct. I got mine in the mail on the 5th of June, but did not get the campgrounds I wanted (Cottonwood was full)

Can you tell me the process? I had no clue about this. Sucks being a newbie.

dysfunction wrote:Have you checked on permit availability with the Backcountry office?

No, didn't know I needed to do that now.

As everyone has said, this is a great first Canyon hike, for Oct. or Nov. but... Maybe I misunderstood your previous post...but I thought you said you and your girlfriend were both new to backpacking? If this is to be your first backpacking trip EVER...no, personally, I wouldn't pick this one. Try ...

We're looking to go in October.

I posted recently about hiking a Cabin Loop trail, but my girlfriend and I are looking for a different trail in a different region. We're looking to hike at the Grand Canyon, just a 2-3 trip, and wondering if the S Kaibab > Phantom > Bright Angel is a good trail to begin with for the Grand Canyon. W...