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I want to backpack the Canyon, South to North and back again. Light pack, no inner canyon over nights, maybe one recover day on the North Rim. Might need to go in early June, or late July. Looking for one or two very sturdy backpackers that would be interested so I'm not hiking this distance solo. Anyone?

chumley wrote: That's the beauty/curse of the corridor trails. You'll never actually be alone.

Ugh, I'm still trying to get use to that...those tiny little narrow shuffles until you reach a switchback and can leap to one side and bound past the mall walkers...I can't wait to get to explore the "less popular" trails.

I never touched Bright Angel or South Kaibab until my 6th backpacking trip in the Canyon. By then I had done South Canyon, Tanner, New Hance, etc. etc. That was per the plan. I didn't really care all that much about hiking BA or SK, but now I have hiked them. They are not as pretty and they are crowded, and there is NO feeling of being out there in the wilderness. it is all way too National Parkish for my taste.

Disagree!
They are two of the best trails in the world ... not that I have been all over the world, but c'mon - I don't need to, to know that. If you go at the right time of day (or night) and/or the right season, you can see way less people on the BA or SK than you will on your average Camelback hike.
Yes, for us hardcore Hazer's they only represent the beginning of a GC hiking career - and I have yet to scratch the surface of what there is to do here ... but for most people the corridor trails are the biggest outdoor adventure they will ever have.
I certainly get frustrated when the trails are crowded with people and mules, and many of them have no clue about proper hiking manners - but I still enjoy seeing and meeting people from all over the world enjoying (or enduring) the Grand Canyon.
If I could only hike on one trail for the rest of my life, I would probably choose the Kaibab - South and North preferably ... hmmm sounds like a good question for the HAZ masses - gonna post it now!

I don't mind meeting people and talking to them. But I think Hermit, Boucher and South Bass are much prettier than the BA.

@cactuscat
'Spose I have to agree! My last trek down the SK crossed paths with 4 people between the TH and Cedar Ridge, then No One! I had the National Park in all its glory to myself! It was awesome! I have spent a lot of miles on the corridor trails and know that once I get a mile or two down inside, the casual tourists and their fragrances are long gone!

Besides, when you're hiking back up the BA and start to see people still in their make-up and shower fresh, you know you're coming back from an experience most will never know.

One of the things that struck me most about oir first backpack down the BA was the wonderfully diverse international mix of folks...on an adventure like that, you kinda feel like family with folks you might otherwise never meet.

That being said, my goal in life is to hit all the GCNP trails, with or without other folks. I just love the Canyon so much, I know how to be near the crowd yet apart from them as well.

I live for sunset on the rim, prior to the next morning's descent!

Ken