Gal-Gone-Camping

Hello Friends!

Another Check Off The Bucket List!

This past March I got to check off a bucket list item!  To make it even more special, I got to do it with my son, daughter-in-law and grandson. I flew to Dallas where they live, then we drove out West–which as many of you know is my second home.  I LOVE anywhere out West!

Though I have been out west several times, this year was my first visit to the mother of all magical western formations, the Grand Canyon! Just like Alaska, there are no words to describe this captivating country, you just have to experience it for yourself.  However, I thought I’d share with you some do’s and don’ts I came away with that may be helpful to you on your Grand Canyon adventure. So, here they are….

Do’s

DO research the Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding area to get an idea of what to expect and to find out what other attractions are nearby you can visit.   It’s also a good idea to call if you have questions and to get the very latest information. Always do your research on any area you will be visiting.

DO visit the information office as soon as you get there.  If you plan to hike, you can learn what trail is best suited to you and your party according to how much time you have to spend, level of difficulty, and physical capabilities. The staff members are very knowledgeable, friendly and are happy to assist you.

DO use common sense! Take all the pictures you want cause believe me–you can’t take a bad picture at the Grand Canyon! However, please do not take any chances by getting too close to the edge.  There were two more incidents of people falling to their death soon after we were there.

DO take plenty of tissue.  The combination of the cold March weather and the drop in elevation during the hike down had my nose running like a faucet!

DO dress in layers.  If you start hiking early in the morning and/or early in the year, the temperature will be cold at the rim but will get hotter the further you descend down the canyon.  Dress in lightweight layers so you can remove clothing as you hike down.

DO take plenty of water! There are more deaths from heat and dehydration than falls.  Water is only available on the trails at certain areas that are far in between.  Keep in mind the weight of the water bottles you carry when filling your backpack.  A water hydration pack is a good idea too.

DO take the switchbacks down the canyon in sections.  I found it best to hike one at a time, stop and rest, then do another.  The decent is very steep–more so in some areas than others.  Going back up is harder and takes twice as long, but if you stop after each section, it seems easier.

DO wear good, comfortable hiking shoes/boots.  There was snow and ice part of the way down when we were there, then it turned to mud where it began to melt.  Appropriate footwear is a must.

DO move to the side on the narrow part of the trails to let others, including the mules, who are moving faster pass by. It is easier for everyone.

DO take as many side trips as you can while in the Grand Canyon area.  There is so much to see and do.  One trip won’t do it, but do all you can in the time you have.  Suggestions: Monument Valley, Las Vegas, Sedona, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyon de Chelly.  Check out the ‘America the Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass’ www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm cost is $80, less for seniors, free for military and 4th graders.

DO prepare to feel a little intimidated–maybe even a little scared.  This may not be true for everyone on their first visit, but it was for me.  Part of it was the snow and ice at the beginning of the trail.

I was already concerned about falling, the ice just added to my anxiety. The other part was just the sheer massiveness of it all.  It took me a while to comprehend what I was seeing.  At first, I was almost clinging to the side of the hill on the way down LOL!  My fear subsided after a while though and I became more comfortable.  By the time we headed back up the canyon, I felt right at home. Of course I did–I was in the West!

DO plan thoroughly.  I think this is my biggest ‘DO’ take-away from the Grand Canyon.  Decide what you want to do while you’re there and plan accordingly.  From researching and choosing the trail to wearing the right clothing and supplying your backpack. Make sure you plan well in advance. This is not a place where you can just wing it!

DO prepare to be amazed!  My first

thought when I saw the first view of the Grand Canyon was that it looked like a painting.  I was seeing it with my eyes but my mind couldn’t grasp that it was real.  My heart was overjoyed. How blessed I was to be here and to be able to enjoy it with my kids!

Don’ts

DON’T go in summer!  We went in the middle of March and even though there was still snow and ice at the rim and down in the canyon a ways, it was really getting warm just at Cedar Ridge, the 1.5 mile point. The difference in temperature from the rim to the bottom increases between 15-30 degrees. I can’t imagine the heat during the summer, not to mention the crowds.  There were still a lot of people in mid March but during the summer travel season when school is out– it would be a nightmare!  Best time to go–early spring or late fall.

DON’T take the first shuttle you see–like we did!  We were so excited, we took the first shuttle we saw from the parking lot which we thought was going to the park office.

However, each shuttle was going to a different trail head.  We were on the shuttle that went to the South Kaibab Trail, so we just went with that one…

which actually led all the way to the bottom of the Canyon–7.1 miles (one way!) If we had reviewed the trails first, we may have taken a different one. It worked out OK because we made the decision to stop at Cedar Ridge–a ‘landing’ of sorts at the 1.5 mile point, and start back. Though we only hiked a mile and a half down, it felt like it was much more due to the exceedingly steep decent.

If we had went all the way to the bottom there was no way we would’ve been able to make it back before dark and we did not have flashlights with us. Again–use common sense!

DON’T fly to the park.  If at all possible drive.  There is just too much amazing scenery and too many other places nearby to take in.  I realize driving is not always possible, but if you do fly, be sure to rent a car so you can truly experience the incredible western landscape.

DON’T be embarrassed if you have to stop and rest a lot.  You are not alone!  You will see plenty of other people stopping often for a break–as they should.

DON’T get aggravated (like I did) to see people running up and down the trail.  They must be locals who do that on a regular basis for exercise–like just walking up and down isn’t enough! Why would you run when you can take your time and soak in all that beautiful scenery? It doesn’t make sense to me, but I guess it takes all kinds.

DON’T venture off the trail.  There are plenty of places that widen out where you can go off to yourself somewhat.  We found a nice little out of the way spot to have lunch.

You all know I love to get off the beaten path, but trust me–this is not the place to do it!  Again–use common sense.

DON’T buy your souvenirs at the gift shop–especially t-shirts. Surprisingly, the selection is not very good and not surprisingly, what they do have is overpriced.  You can save a lot of money by purchasing at outlying shops before you get to the park.  We came in on State RT. 64 N and stopped at a Shell gas station with a gift shop located on N Deel Drive, right off the highway. The whole back room was nothing but Native American jewelry!  I bought  2 t-shirts, 2 handmade, signed dream catchers and several other items for only $66 (fitting since we were on RT. 66 for part of this trip–post coming soon!) You will also be supporting the Native American economy as they own most of these types of businesses and would certainly appreciate your patronage.

The Grand Canyon/Williams KOA Journey is right beside the Shell station and AJ’s Mini Mart is there too which has an ATM.  This would be a very convenient spot to camp, especially for RVers.

DON’T underestimate the Grand Canyon!  This is my biggest ‘DON’T’ take-away for sure. As beautiful and mesmerizing as it is, the Canyon is a place of extremes and you must exercise extreme caution.  For example, if we had decided to hike all the way down that day, we couldn’t have made it back before dark.  We had not made arrangements to camp at the bottom and did not have flashlights to hike back up and even if we did, I would not want to hike the Canyon at night!  We were tempted to go all the way, but we made the right call cause we knew better.  I can’t stress how important it is to understand that for every hour it takes to hike down, it takes 2 to hike back up. It made me nervous to see some people not being as cautious as they should be, knowing that one wrong step could be fatal.

Camping

We didn’t camp on this trip, but there are campgrounds managed by the National Park Service in  the park. Mather Campground on the South Rim is open year round. North Rim Campground is open May 15-Oct. 31st. Reservations are made online at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 and can be made up to 6 months in advance, but book up quickly.  Permits are required for Bright Angel Campground at the bottom of the canyon which is situated along Bright Angel Creek. (This is where I want to stay when I go back!)  Of course the famous canyon lodge, Phantom Ranch, is nestled at the bottom of the Canyon and must be reserved well in advance.

There are no RV hookups at campgrounds within the park, however Trailer Village RV Campground located in Grand Canyon Village has full hookups and is open all year.  Desert View Campground is open all year without reservations; it is first-come first-served. There are no hook-ups here either and you need to get there early; as it is usually filled up by noon.  Other campgrounds and RV parks are abundant outside the park. Of course dispersed camping on BLM land is abundant, some of which are on old fire roads off SR 64 and there’s also a lot in the Kaibab National Forest, north of the park.  Check out http://www.freecampsites.net an excellent source. 

Final Thoughts

The Grand Canyon is intense.  It is indescribable and a must-see.  Understand the climate and environment, be cautious and you will have a wonderful, memorable trip.  This experience is one I will never forget but I have not gotten my fill of it.  I plan to return at some point, hike more trails, go to the bottom, camp and do much more exploring.

My final thoughts…the magnitude of the Canyon leaves you feeling very small and insignificant just as the ocean does, but at the same time you get a sense of strength, as if you are absorbing it’s mighty power.  Most of all I felt incredibly blessed as I marveled at God’s magnificent creation.

Share Your Experience!

I want to hear about your Grand Canyon adventure, so feel free to comment!  Also–be sure to visit Gal Gone Camping on Facebook, Like and Share, and join in the conversations.

Until Next Time, Remember…..DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!

See Ya Down The Road…..

Catrina