New guy needs info on backpacking the North Rim...

[firstofthe7th]

I am not very familiar with the North Rim -- visited there once as a car-traveling, shorts-and-sandals tourist about ten years ago.

A friend of mine and I would like to backpack the North Rim for 4-5 days, maybe 20-40 miles total, maybe in September next year.

We want to pretty much stay out of the Canyon -- preferring to walk and stay on the high, flat ground around the edge of it. We'll be totally self-sufficient as far as food and water are concerned.

A loop would be best, but if there is a way we can park in one place (say, at the North Rim Lodge), catch a ride to our starting point, and hike back to the car, that would be a good alternative. Not having seen any trail maps yet, I don't know if this is possible.

I am having a hard time finding extensive information about trails that would accommodate such a trip. I also need some general information about such matters as weather, availability of water, critters we might encounter, facilities along the trails, and such.

I'd love to converse with a site member about these things, and maybe get info on a good, comprehensive book that covers everything about the North Rim like the AMC guides do about the Appalachian Trail. I'll also need topo/contour maps.

Also, is there anything similar in the Vermillion Cliffs area?

Thank in advance for you for your help.

[joebartels]

Links that might interest you...
http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?z ... 0&CM=0&M=3
You can switch the map type over to MyTOPO for detail or the non mapped version is
http://hikearizona.com/interestDEX.php? ... 4&SUB_ID=0&

Beginners Guide Article

Flash Map

Map you can carry

Entrance Fees

Permits

I'm not certain but don't think there's shuttle services trail-to-trail on the North Rim. Perhaps others know of some good loops on the North Rim.

[DarthStiller]

Pariah River Canyon is a flat 4-5 day backpack that starts in Utah and ends at Lee's Ferry. You'd need a permit for it, I believe.

[azbackpackr]

How about the Powell Plateau? Not the extremely difficult circumnavigation of it below its rim, but a hike around the top of it? There is a trail, and one spring. At least, that is what I recall reading about it. There would be no facilities at all, however. It is a pine-forested table-land with views of the Canyon from its rim.

See Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, a Falcon Guide, by Ron Adkison. There are quite a few guidebooks, but I find this one is the easiest to use.

[Dschur]

The only shuttle services right now is from the lodge to the Kaibab TH only or from the north to the south rim...

Hiker Shuttle
A shuttle to the North Kaibab Trailhead is
available twice daily in the morning. Cost: $7.00
per person; Sign up at the Grand Canyon Lodge
front desk. The shuttle picks up passengers
in front of the lodge at 5:45 a.m. and 7:10 a.m.
Reservations are recommended 24 hours in
advance.
Rim-to-Rim Transportation
Daily transportation between the rims is provided
by Trans Canyon Shuttle. The shuttle departs the
North Rim at 7:00 a.m. and arrives at the South
Rim at 11:30 a.m. It departs the South Rim at
1:30 p.m. and arrives at the North Rim at 6:30 p.m.
Reservations are required: (928) 638-2820.

[firstofthe7th]

Wow, friends, thanks for all the tips. I'll keep posted. A great start for me.

[Canyonram]

Hello Firstofthe7th,

I'll second the suggestion to check out Ron Adkison's 'Hiking Grand Canyon National Park.' He covers the North Rim Trails---the book is about 13 years old so double check with the for updates. http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/t ... osures.htm

September at the North Rim can get plenty cold. I did a Rim-to-Rim and wanted to spend a night on the North Rim---I also wanted to go as light as possible on gear since the Inner Canyon is still comfortable. You guessed it---I froze my arse when the temp dipped into the teens. Thank heavens for my spaceblanket! LOL.

Powell Plateau is a good hike---there are still a few mature Ponderosa pine that haven't been logged off or allowed to burn. Lots of deer and mountain lion.

Check back in and let everyone know how it went.