The Grand Canyon & Northern Arizona - American Southwest - page 539

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hikers. A strenuous 6-mile round-trip hike leads down to Horseshoe Mesa, 2,600 feet
below the trail head. No water is available, so carry at least 2 quarts. Just to give you an
idea of how steep this trail is, you'll lose more than 2,000 feet of elevation in the first .8
mile down to Coconino Saddle.

Backpacking
Backpacking the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Although most people
are content to simply hike down to Phantom Ranch and back, there are many miles of
trails deep in the canyon. Keep in mind, however, that to backpack the canyon, you'll
need to do a lot of planning. A Backcountry Use Permit is required of all hikers plan-
ning to overnight in the canyon, unless you'll be staying at Phantom Ranch in one of the
cabins or a dormitory.
Because a limited number of hikers are allowed into the canyon on any given day, it's
important to make reservations as soon as it is possible to do so. Reservations are taken
in person, by mail, by fax (but not by phone), and online. Contact the Backcountry
Information Center, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ
86023 ( & 928/638-7875 Mon-Fri 1-5pm for information; fax [phone]; www.
nps.gov/grca). The office begins accepting reservations on the first of every month for the
following 5 months. Holiday periods are the most popular—if you want to hike over the
Labor Day weekend, be sure you make your reservation on May 1. If you show up with-
out a reservation, go to the Backcountry Information Center (daily 8am-noon and
1-5pm), adjacent to Maswik Lodge, and put your name on the waiting list. When apply-
ing for a permit, you must specify your exact itinerary, and once in the canyon, you must
stick to this itinerary. Backpacking fees include a nonrefundable $10 backcountry permit
fee and a $5 per-person per-night backcountry camping fee. Keep in mind that you'll still
have to pay the park entry fee when you arrive at the Grand Canyon.
The Backcountry Trip Planner contains information to help you plan your itinerary. It's
available through the Backcountry Information Center (see contact information, above).
Maps are available through the Grand Canyon Association, P.O. Box 399, Grand Can-
yon, AZ 86023 ( & 800/858-2808 or 928/638-2481; www.grandcanyon.org), and at
bookstores and gift shops within the national park, including Canyon View Information
Plaza, Verkamp's Visitor Center, Kolb Studio, Desert View Information Center, Yavapai
Observation Station, Tusayan Museum, and, on the North Rim, Grand Canyon Lodge.
The best times of year to backpack are spring and fall. In summer, temperatures at the
bottom of the canyon are frequently above 100°F (38°C), while in winter, ice and snow
at higher elevations make footing on trails precarious (crampons are recommended). Plan
to carry at least 2 quarts, and preferably 1 gallon, of water whenever backpacking in the
canyon.
The Grand Canyon is an unforgiving landscape and, as such, many people might want
a professional guide while backpacking through this rugged corner of the Southwest. To
arrange a guided backpacking trip into the canyon, contact Discovery Treks, 28248 N.
Tatum Blvd., Ste. B1-414, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 ( & 888/256-8731 or 480/247-9266;
www.discoverytreks.com), which offers 3- to 6-day all-inclusive hikes into the canyon
with rates ranging from $795 to $1,995 per person.

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OTHER WAYS OF SEEING THE CANYON
Bus Tours
If you'd rather leave the driving to someone else and enjoy more of the scenery, opt for a
bus or van tour of one or more sections of the park. Grand Canyon National Park