HikeArizona.COM

When we moved here 15 years ago, I was sure I would get to the Canyon at least once a year. I've only managed 9 trips.
(I was going to insert , but changed my mind - 9 trips are priceless.)

But it did occur to me that I'm somewhat behind schedule on hiking all the major trails. I'm 52 and feel great, but knocking the remainders off in decreasing level of difficulty seems like a good idea.
I've only done a little research, and so far I came up with this. I used mileage, but AEG would reset the order, as well as difficulty of the terrain. I'd love to know the opinion of someone who has done these and can weigh everything together.

The Gems 53 Miles - 11K AEG
Royal Arch 46 mi- 5.5K
Cheops Pyramid/Clear Creek 40mi - 9.2K
Escalante/Beamer/New Hance 34mi - 8K
Nankoweap 32mi - 9.6K

Done them all except Cheops. They're all very worthy, very different, and hard to rank in any particular order. Personally I'd rank them all as excellent except Gems - the constant traversing in/out of the drainages gets a bit dull (even so, it's still worth doing). Royal Arch and Nankoweap were probably my favorites.

@Barrett

I have only done three of the five but here is my take..

Cheops-More of notch in belt type day hike, but amazing nonetheless and worth the agony. However, it could be a very special over-night hike if one camped on Utah Flats/Upper Phantom and summitted the next day IMO...

Gems-A semi epic backpack type hike that I think most would appreciate, but could get monotonous for some. But can't beat the amount of Canyon you would cover and the unique drainages along the way that offer some pretty cool side trips and camping locations..

Escalante-I would give two thumbs up as an over-night trip, or even a three day trip, great scenery, a little rugged, some challenge and some attractions along the way...

Like Toddak said, tough to compare, but can't see you going wrong with any of them..

Nankoweap is on my short list if anyone wants to split a tank of gas

I might need to learn how to backpack and I'll have to join you.

@SpiderLegs
No can do. He's solopelli.

@chumley
Solopelli? According to his profile he's got 56 hiking partners!

@toddak
Statistics can lie. I trust hikebot. Looks like he has hiked with somebody else just 12 times in 13 years.
Thats 12 out of 261 posted trips, or less than 5%.

(admittedly, nowhere near the solopelli status you are, but then how could you be adventurepelli?)

chumley wrote:@toddak
Statistics can lie. I trust hikebot. Looks like he has hiked with somebody else just 12 times in 13 years.
Thats 12 out of 261 posted trips, or less than 5%.

(admittedly, nowhere near the solopelli status you are, but then how could you be adventurepelli?)

I think I have been on at least half of those 12 trips.

@SpiderLegs
So either he doesn't mind hiking with you or you're the reason he doesn't dare risk hiking with anybody else!

Wow, I only waited 24 hours and the thread is already off course. ;)
The vast majority of the partners were the result of one HAZfest and Pam's New Years Day hikes. I've tried to be social, but am not particularly good at it. Of course there are exceptions - James and Pam both seem to tolerate me pretty well.
I would like to do a short backpack with a partner or partners in the Canyon, but the remaining Bucket List hikes will be solo. Being alone intensifies the experience - complete control creating complete responsibility, absolute silence in a place so Grand as to at times dissolve the ego entirely. That's hard to achieve when your chit-chatting or wondering whether they smelled that fart.

I've had the Pleasure of Hiking with Barrett 5 Times! And who knows, maybe he'll take me on my first Trip below the Rim!

I'm with Toddak on this; I've hiked all but Cheops, some many times. Some of the listed mileages seem a bit long to me unless they are out-and-back or something, but if I were to have the hikes you do on 'my list' I would couple the Royal Arch with the Gems, exiting @ Hermit or beyond - I'd add Elves Chasm too. Nankoweap should be done in cooler weather as there is a dearth of shade.
I would place Royal Arch as my favorite of the places on your list.

Barrett wrote: wondering whether they smelled that fart.

Yes, yes we did.

@JasonCleghorn

outdoor_lover wrote:maybe he'll take me on my first Trip below the Rim!

Unless you beat me there I certainly will. I know you love water, but that requires a lot of AEG. I recall suggesting Horseshoe Mesa - easy by GCNP standards, but it has ruins, a mine, Cave of the Domes, a very comfy latrine, and views that will eat up your memory card in no time.