Wanted to wait until I had a good chunk of time to read this. What a trip! I’m sure I would’ve been puking right alongside whoever it was, given the heat and exertion. I’ve saved this post for future reference in case I ever attempt this. Way to go, all of you! Sounds tough, rewarding, and fun.
I enjoyed reading this R2R2R account. If you went on the Clear Creek Trail, you went by "The Couch". This was my step father's (Tom Harty of the Harty Party) favorite place in the world; he hiked down to Phantom Ranch at least 42 times. On a rock there is a plaque in his memory. He and my mother were murdered in a home invasion in 2016 and we spread his ashes there. Thank you for bringing up some good memories!
I am so deeply sorry to learn of how they were victimized—that is horrific. I hope you can return to that special place for some healing and good memories.
The photographs are stunning, the closest I've seen to being there. It really makes me want to visit and hike through. Your text is equally descriptive, and informative. Great post. Thank you.
Fantastic report! I'm so glad you tried a few miles on the Clear Creek trail! It really was a highlight for us -- the east-west perspective is very cool. And it is a perfect alternative to the North Kaibab trail. It sounds like a wonderful time together with trail friends :-)
Thank you so much for encouraging us to go that way! We would've gone farther, but one person in the group was low on water and wilting in the heat, so we turned back to Phantom. Wish you could've been with us!
Thank you for bringing your wonderful adventure and pictures to us.
I've been trying to secure a camp spot at Bright Angel for many years. Camp down by the river and run to the North Rim and back. Only 32 spots so it's a tough lottery.
However, this post is telling me to go anyways, and it doesn't matter if the North Rim is closed.
Thanks for reading, Steve! Yes, I think it's worth going even if you can't get your preferred spot to camp. The hotels are probably booked now (they book up months in advance) but sometimes have cancelations. However, if you have a camper van, you could park at the visitor center or in one of the hotel lots and camp over night. The hotel staff told us they do not check for parking or require permits, so my friend with the campervan was able to park in the hotel lot without problem. Good luck! South Kaibab - River - Bright Angel is a great 20ish mile loop. I've also heard good things about descending Hermit/Tonto to Phantom Ranch, back up Bright Angel, also shorter than what we did.
Great read! Brought beck great memories from 2 years ago. We are doing R2R again in Oct. Looking forward to it! Happy belated Birthday! I can relate to the Birthday/ Mother's Day combo. My bday is 5/5.
Right on! The only downside to R2R is arranging transportation to pick you up on the other side, and it's a long drive from South to North Rim (or vice versa). If you want a 20ish mile run, a Rim-to-River-to-Rim route is a good option, going down South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch, back up Bright Angel. You could add on a few miles by running the prettiest, flattest, shadiest part of North Kaibab out-and-back, returning to Phantom Ranch. Whatever you choose, hope it's great!
What a great post, Sarah (and yes, I loved the photos). Brought back a lot of memories of the multi-day Spring Trip routes I used to lead kids on back when I was teaching at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale. We'd traverse the Tonto Plateau between Hermit, Monument and Hance Creeks (Horseshoe Mesa was always a favorite spot to camp). I think my current knee problems stem back to those times I dropped into the canyon and hiked down to the river when my backpack was at its heaviest. Must have been interesting to see the Colorado River up close just as its water allocations are being negotiated.
What a hike, and those pics! I was out myself last week for a few days hiking in the Golan Heights (either in or next to Israel, depending on who you ask). Nowhere near as intense as what you described, but that magical feeling of spending a day intensely walking in nature is everywhere. I hope to also write a post soon about my experience.
Wanted to wait until I had a good chunk of time to read this. What a trip! I’m sure I would’ve been puking right alongside whoever it was, given the heat and exertion. I’ve saved this post for future reference in case I ever attempt this. Way to go, all of you! Sounds tough, rewarding, and fun.
I enjoyed reading this R2R2R account. If you went on the Clear Creek Trail, you went by "The Couch". This was my step father's (Tom Harty of the Harty Party) favorite place in the world; he hiked down to Phantom Ranch at least 42 times. On a rock there is a plaque in his memory. He and my mother were murdered in a home invasion in 2016 and we spread his ashes there. Thank you for bringing up some good memories!
I am so deeply sorry to learn of how they were victimized—that is horrific. I hope you can return to that special place for some healing and good memories.
The photographs are stunning, the closest I've seen to being there. It really makes me want to visit and hike through. Your text is equally descriptive, and informative. Great post. Thank you.
Wow, those photos! 😍 And what a fun crew you had. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely amazing thank you for sharing such a wickedly bad ass adventure
Thanks for reading!
Sorry you missed the north rim in its entirety, my favorite part of R2R2R! Thanks for giving me a new route to consider.
Fantastic report! I'm so glad you tried a few miles on the Clear Creek trail! It really was a highlight for us -- the east-west perspective is very cool. And it is a perfect alternative to the North Kaibab trail. It sounds like a wonderful time together with trail friends :-)
Thank you so much for encouraging us to go that way! We would've gone farther, but one person in the group was low on water and wilting in the heat, so we turned back to Phantom. Wish you could've been with us!
Well done Sarah!
Thank you for bringing your wonderful adventure and pictures to us.
I've been trying to secure a camp spot at Bright Angel for many years. Camp down by the river and run to the North Rim and back. Only 32 spots so it's a tough lottery.
However, this post is telling me to go anyways, and it doesn't matter if the North Rim is closed.
I think I will :)
Steve
Thanks for reading, Steve! Yes, I think it's worth going even if you can't get your preferred spot to camp. The hotels are probably booked now (they book up months in advance) but sometimes have cancelations. However, if you have a camper van, you could park at the visitor center or in one of the hotel lots and camp over night. The hotel staff told us they do not check for parking or require permits, so my friend with the campervan was able to park in the hotel lot without problem. Good luck! South Kaibab - River - Bright Angel is a great 20ish mile loop. I've also heard good things about descending Hermit/Tonto to Phantom Ranch, back up Bright Angel, also shorter than what we did.
Great read! Brought beck great memories from 2 years ago. We are doing R2R again in Oct. Looking forward to it! Happy belated Birthday! I can relate to the Birthday/ Mother's Day combo. My bday is 5/5.
Thanks Julie! Good for you for R2R! I would like to do that point-to-point, but the transportation is a bit tricky....
Inspired to at least try the R2R next year.
Right on! The only downside to R2R is arranging transportation to pick you up on the other side, and it's a long drive from South to North Rim (or vice versa). If you want a 20ish mile run, a Rim-to-River-to-Rim route is a good option, going down South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch, back up Bright Angel. You could add on a few miles by running the prettiest, flattest, shadiest part of North Kaibab out-and-back, returning to Phantom Ranch. Whatever you choose, hope it's great!
Thoroughly enjoyable - thank you!
Thanks for reading!
What a great post, Sarah (and yes, I loved the photos). Brought back a lot of memories of the multi-day Spring Trip routes I used to lead kids on back when I was teaching at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale. We'd traverse the Tonto Plateau between Hermit, Monument and Hance Creeks (Horseshoe Mesa was always a favorite spot to camp). I think my current knee problems stem back to those times I dropped into the canyon and hiked down to the river when my backpack was at its heaviest. Must have been interesting to see the Colorado River up close just as its water allocations are being negotiated.
What a hike, and those pics! I was out myself last week for a few days hiking in the Golan Heights (either in or next to Israel, depending on who you ask). Nowhere near as intense as what you described, but that magical feeling of spending a day intensely walking in nature is everywhere. I hope to also write a post soon about my experience.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your report!
Excellent, thorough recap.