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Help! The folks at Supai have lost my campground reservation and now they don't have anything available for April or May. I had planned on taking my 18 year-old nephew there at the end of May for a couple of days. Can anyone recomend a replacement one or two night hike that would be similar to the Supai hike? I would also be interested in any slot canyons. We're flying in to Phoenix on May 22nd.

Thanks for any help.

Mark O'Tyson

If you really want to be at the Grand Canyon, I would say check out Thunder River (Bill Hall trail) on the North Rim. It involves a hike in and out of the canyon; a hike which is infinitely more scenic than the Supai hike, in my opinion. Of course, I doubt that anyone who has been on both of these hikes would disagree with me. Anyway, the beginning of Thunder River is a really rad waterfall. It's a sight that you and your nephew will never forget!

You might also consider Jumpup and Kanab Canyons on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

If your heading toward Thunder River you can also hit Deer Creek in a loop hike (two nights would be serious work though). It has a great slot canyon and a nice 100' waterfall into the Colorado River. You'll need to rappel into the slot about 30'. Keep in mind that a hike to Thunder River or Deer Creek is MUCH harder than a hike to Supai. Thunder River is 10 miles and around 4,000' vertical and there is absolutely no water on the route. In Surprise Valley it will be 110 deg right now! I agree that this is one of the best Grand Canyon hikes but be very careful this time of year.