Trip in Havasu / South Rim in September 13-28

[samokk]

Hi,

I am planning a hiking / backpacking trip in Grand Canyon area next September (13-28).
Are there people here who would like to join me, for either day hikes or backpacks ?
Or maybe just to share a camping spot : a campfire is more fun when it is shared.

My complete program is not yet decided (certainly open to discussion if anyone wants to join me), but I am thinking of going to :
[*] Havasu Falls
[*] South Rim classic hikes (South Kaibab, Bright Angel, ..)

I will decide about the plan in the next few days, so I can apply for the backcountry permits on May, 1st.
(From what I understand, there are _A LOT_ of people requesting backcountry permits in this area....)

Also, I'm wondering : is it usually needed to book campgrounds (such as Mather, ..) in advance for late september ?

Regards,
Sami

[chumley]

Hey samokk-

A couple of quick points of interest for you.

1. Fires are not permitted below the rim of the Grand Canyon when backpacking, so you'll have to share stories with people instead
2. Definitely book Mather campground as soon as possible. If you don't mind camping without any facilities, there are possibilities to "dispersed camp" on nearby National Forest land if you don't mind a short drive and have an appropriate vehicle for forest roads.
3. Havasu Falls is not within the Grand Canyon National Park, and permits to visit there and stay at the campground are secured directly with the Havasu Tribe. They are significantly more expensive than NPS backcountry permits. I don't know the permit timetables for Havasupai -- you may be able to reserve September already, not wait for May 1. It is also probably a 3-hour drive from the South Rim to the trailhead to get to Havasupai.
4. If you haven't hiked in the Grand Canyon before, I recommend sticking to the main corridor trails. It is terrain that is very challenging, even to those who have some experience with it. In mid-September, it can still be over 100 degrees during the day at the river, which is obviously quite warm, especially for people from northern climates unaccustomed to such temperatures. With that said, it can also be below freezing overnight on the South Rim, so preparation and gear is key.
5. If you attempt to obtain a backcountry permit for one of the corridor campgrounds, you may have more luck by choosing weekdays (it seems like your dates are flexible). Also, if you are at the Canyon for a few days and have flexibility, a portion of the corridor permits are held back for a daily first-come, first-served allotment ... a day ahead of the permit date. (Tuesday morning at 8am the line is for Wednesday night permit). You can move up the line by being there on consecutive days, so if you are #10 on Tuesday, you may be #4 on Wednesday. By participating in the last-minute permit option, you have to be flexible on the days you can backpack. It may take several days for you to move up the line far enough to get an available spot. Being a group of 1 or 2 can improve your odds at getting a spot.
6. The Grand Canyon is an amazing place. You should have a great time!

[samokk]

Thanks chumley for your reply !

Are the dispersed campsites generally available in september, or you would recommend to book one of the reserved campsites ? (during weekdays ? during week-ends ?)

In addition to the main corridor trails, would you have specific amazing hikes to recommend ? I am not afraid of challenging terrain (but not interested in risking my life either), and I often hike mountains (White Mountains in NH, ADK in NY, ...). I am also accustomed to heat and sun (I Luv it). My comfort zone is ~ 12 miles / 5000ft per day when day-hiking, and roughly ~50-70% of that when backpacking.

Sami

[azbackpackr]

Thanks chumley for your reply !

Are the dispersed campsites generally available in september, or you would recommend to book one of the reserved campsites ? (during weekdays ? during week-ends ?)

In addition to the main corridor trails, would you have specific amazing hikes to recommend ? I am not afraid of challenging terrain (but not interested in risking my life either), and I often hike mountains (White Mountains in NH, ADK in NY, ...). I am also accustomed to heat and sun (I Luv it). My comfort zone is ~ 12 miles / 5000ft per day when day-hiking, and roughly ~50-70% of that when backpacking.

Sami

You should be fine, just carry more water than you normally do, and electrolyte replacement. Wear plenty of sunscreen, a big hat, etc. The less you burn your skin, the less stressed, tired and dehydrated your whole body will be. You might drink a gallon or more of water, and need to also eat salty snacks.

What Chumley meant about "dispersed" camping in the National Forest is that you find a dirt road in the national forest (outside the national park!!!), drive down it, find a place to pull off, and set up your tent. If you look at a map you can see that south of the GCNP Boundary off 180/64 there is NF, and also, when you drive east on 64 between the GCNP boundary and the Navajo Nation boundary there is a section of National Forest with a dirt road where you can camp at-large (dispersed). No campground, no facilities, no fees, no reservations. I have camped in both areas with no problems.

[chumley]

@samokk
As azbackpackr said, dispersed camping is just finding a spot in the National Forest. If that's not something you are accustomed to doing, I would stick to the developed campgrounds.

I always hesitate recommending hikes to people who are new here because there's no data on what you are capable of or comfortable with. And many other people who don't post here still read this forum, and I wouldn't want to give anybody the impression they can handle something that puts them in a bad situation.

But if 5000-feet day hikes are truly in your comfort zone in the northeast, then the canyon could also be within your comfort zone if the weather is right.

As for other hikes, I would stick to S Kaibab and Bright Angel to start, but after those, if you are comfortable, Grandview and Hermit both provide excellent "next step" options. They are rougher trails, more remote, less trafficked, and subsequently more risky.

Each of the trails above is a link to the hike description page. From there you may read triplogs and view photos as posted by people who have posted about their hikes here on HAZ. Reading is fun, and can give you a better idea of what you will encounter.

[samokk]

Thank you for your information !

I have an additional question : I am trying to fill the Backcountry Permit Request Form, and I am unsure whether I should submit three different permits for three different hikes (Corridor, Hermit, Grandview), or just one ?

The dates are not consecutive, as I plan to do day hikes between the multi-day hikes.

Thanks,
Sami

[azbackpackr]

Thank you for your information !

I have an additional question : I am trying to fill the Backcountry Permit Request Form, and I am unsure whether I should submit three different permits for three different hikes (Corridor, Hermit, Grandview), or just one ?

The dates are not consecutive, as I plan to do day hikes between the multi-day hikes.

Thanks,
Sami

Not only should you submit 3 different hikes (or variations of the same hikes. Vary as to date, campsites, etc.) but you should submit MORE than three choices, on a separate sheet of paper. You should indicate your level of flexibility. Don't try to get a large party permit (7 to 11 people), also. Those are very hard to get.