HIKING THE BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL
The trail is approximately eight miles long and requires 5-8 hours to walk out (3-4 hours to hike into the river). This is a strenuous hike with a steep grade. Conditioning will pay off! You should get into shape by taking long walks at home or running up to two miles a day. Outdoors Unlimited provides all camping gear needed on the river so that the hiker carries only his clothing and personal effects in a lightweight nylon soft pack (15 lb. maximum weight limit plus camera). We recommend that you wear comfortable, well-used jogging/athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots. Each hiker should carry two canteens or plastic quart bottles with screw tops (no popups) for drinking water. Also pack some extra food such as fruit, granola bars, and salty snacks. Indian Garden campground is located about halfway on the trail and has drinking water and toilets available. For additional South Rim Village information go to www.nps.gov/grca.
If you are hiking into the Canyon (lower portion), the trailhead begins at the edge of the South Rim near Bright Angel Lodge. Plan to spend the night prior to your trip at Grand Canyon Village. An orientation meeting with your OU Hiking Escort will be held in the Maswik Lodge cafeteria at 8:00 p.m. The escort will tell you where to meet the next morning and at what time. Food items for your hike must be purchased in advance since you will start your hike before the restaurants are open. Be sure to eat prior to the hike and carry snacks and water for the hike. The Maswik Lodge cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner until 10:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at the river when you arrive at approximately noon.
If you are hiking out of the Canyon (upper portion), you will be given lunch after you reach the beach at Pipe Creek, about a mile below Phantom Ranch, and you can start your hike any time after that. You should plan to spend the night at the South Rim if you are taking a commercial flight back to Las Vegas.
Note: If you are seriously overweight, over 50, or have not been physically active prior to your hike, there is a potential for problems leading to your partial or complete incapacitation while on the trail. This might require evacuation by mule or helicopter back to the Rim. This could obviously cause, at the very least, the loss of your trip plus the added expense of your evacuation. Carefully review again "Hiking the Bright Angel Trail" above and the accompanying booklet "Hiking the Bright Angel Trail -- Tips For a Safe and Fun Hike". If there is any potential for problems, you should very seriously consider cancelling your trip or changing it to another river more suitable to your capabilities.
Special Note to Hikers: To eliminate the need for packing your sleeping gear in or out of the Canyon, OU provides each person with a sleeping gear unit (see below) free of charge. We recommend that you use a lightweight nylon daypack for your personal gear. Please DO NOT bring hard shell suitcases on your trip.
Sleeping Gear Units: lightweight sleeping bag, foam pad, plastic tarp, cloth liner, waterproof containers, utensils and cup.
Mule Services Mules to carry your pack into or out of Phantom Ranch can be arranged by contacting Grand Canyon National Park Lodges at (888) 297-2757 or FAX (303) 297-3175. The cost for in-bound or out-bound duffles is approximately $68. Maximum dimensions are 36"x20"x13". Maximum weight is 30 lbs. Remember that OU allows each person's pack to be 15/lbs. maximum. Individual packs cannot be tied together--it must be one package. If you plan to use the in-bound duffle service to Phantom Ranch be sure to notify OU in advance. For those wanting out-bound pack mules plan an extra day since packs won't be available for pickup until the afternoon of the next day. For more information go to http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/phantom-ranch/duffel-services/. It has been our experience that riding mules can be reserved one year in advance of your trip. Contact www.grandcanyonlodges.com for details.
Overnight at Phantom Ranch For those using pack mules (or if you just want to spend an extra day) you might want to stay at Phantom Ranch and hike up in the morning. These accommodations are fairly inexpensive but difficult to get due to high demand. Contact GC National Park Lodges (888) 297-2757 or FAX (303) 297-3175.
OUTDOORS UNLIMITED 6900 Townsend Winona Road Flagstaff AZ 86004 (800) 637-RAFT
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