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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?

Did you ever do this last March? I didn't see a triplog or photos from the trip you had planned...

Thanks for asking, but no...didn't make that one. My trip partner became ill, so I had to help him get out and we ended up doing South Kaibab to Phantom, then Indian Garden and out.

Why not do it yourself? You can't get lost as long as you take the Black Bridge (assuming South Kaibab since you didn't say).

You don't need backpackers, you need hikers.

Be mindful of the temps. I went SoBo 3-years ago (leaving at midnight and arriving at 9) and my friends turned around to finish the hike while I took the shuttle. They said it was 113-degrees at 3-PM at Cottonwood. I was 64.
JD

Did a North-South crossing on a warm day in late May but left at 4pm and had full-shade without needing even sunglasses.

Called from CedarRidge and had a Harvey Car waiting for me trailside at midnight.

I agree, you are talking about hiking, not backpacking. We differentiate by saying backpackers are carrying food, water, sleeping bag, pad, stove, perhaps a tent or tarp shelter, etc. HIkers are not carrying any gear for overnight sleeping or cooking.

Sounds like he wants to spend a night on the north rim, so he may be backpacking.

I'd suggest doing properly, by getting a room and having reservations at the North Rim Lodge, but I understand the North Kaibab terminates far from those places.

Bridal Trail starts at north end of NK and runs to the lodge. it is 1.75 miles one way

I think he wants to do what I want to do...I mean just rough it in the campground up there, I wouldn't go wasting my money on a lodge, granted that place supposedly has the greatest chef(s) in the state...maybe i'll find out someday. if you weren't planning this in June, but in cooler months, and wanted to take an extra day I know someone else who would want to go...

It was the South Rim, but I remember the last time I wasted money on a meal at the Canyon. It was with Liz in January of 2011. I had Prime Rib. Best 25 bucks I wasted for quite some time. I recall the last time I wasted such money and enjoyed it as much, was at Bryce in August of 2010. Had the Prime Rib at Bryce, too. Way better waste than the Pizza I had at Zion.

Well, my goal is to backpack both ways, one day each way - call me old-fashioned. Carting my gear and sleeping on the North Rim, going Ultra lite. I thought about hiking it, but I didn't want to do it the easy way until after I met this challenge. The other times I did it took way too long for me. I would love a full day on the North for yoga, reading scripture, meditation, and exhaling the city out of my soul. I have no qualms going it alone, would actually love it, but my wife thinks I shouldn't go it alone.

Pizza on the North Patio, cold beverage (s) and the pristine views...calling me back through the Gorge the next day...yeah...

@The Hippy
That's why I' m going the last of May and first of June. We went May a while back and it was a little warm for a few miles. I thought about late September or very early October, and would still like to go again then.

@Jim_H
Pardon

Phel Hyker wrote:I have no qualms going it alone, would actually love it, but my wife thinks I shouldn't go it alone.

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

@chumley
Exactly. She's thinking Tanner or New Hance. Corridor is many times overpopulated! But I love it so much, I'm just gonna do it!

i was offered this trip lately. SK to NK and camp, i would prefer 2 days on N rim and possibly in better (cooler) temps. mid April or mid October. yes, contemplating life, reading Sam Harris, relaxing with a craft brew, and admiring the universe is what sounds, to me, like a great weekend.

tell us, via triplog/photoset, if you will.

@te-wa
Mid-october should be a great time of year for such a trek! The year time we did this, the ground was snow-covered and icicles were in abundance!
One of my thoughts, however, is carrying as lite of a pack as possible. I don't want to carry Winter gear again for all those miles in one day, if I can avoid it.
I'll try the trip-log/photoset afterwards, or maybe from another Canyon hike..I am not the best at being able to use this website yet.
Ken

I agree, you are never alone on the Corridor trails and you should just go for it. I had planned to re-start my solo backpacking career on that trail for that very reason, to get used to the idea, but ended up doing Pima Canyon, which was very empty of people at night!