1-night backpacking near FR300

[ZonaNative22]

Hi all,

New member here. My wife and I have an upcoming 2-night Grand canyon trip in mid October. We are new to backpacking but have done quite a bit of hiking. We are interested in doing a quick 1-night test run to try out our gear and get a feel for the process before heading to GC.

We plan to leave from Gilbert and are thinking somewhere along the Rim would be good to see some foliage change in the coming weeks.

I have done a bit of research and am thinking of one of the following, but open to other suggestions.

My biggest concerns I'd like to hear opinions on are:
- We wont be able to arrive and begin hiking in until Saturday around 2PM. I worry in popular spots that it will be too crowded and we lose an opportunity for an ideal camping spot.
- We are likely looking to hike less than 5 miles from our parking area, as I want to make sure we can setup camp before it gets dark.
- I would prefer not having an area right along a trail where other hikers will walk through our camp. Prefer a place we can setup at least 50-100 feet from the trail.


Potential areas:
- Cabin Loop: Along Houston Brothers on the way to Aspen Springs
- Cabin Loop: Along Barbershop Trail, near what sounds like a meadow close to an area of Maple/Aspen trees?
- Upper Buck Spring Canyon: Grasshoppers pictures and trail description sound like a good opportunity to see foliage, but may be more of a walk instead of a hike?
- Horton Springs: Many areas along the creek but I worry it will be too dang busy

Any thoughts/recommendations?

Thank you!

[ZonaNative22]

you should probably stick to the corridor trails for your Grand Canyon trip

We will be doing Bright Angel Trail with 2 nights at Indian Garden campground. Should make for an easier day hike down to Phantom Ranch on day 2. Happy to be staying on the corridor trails at least this first time around.