Grand Canyon Group Hiking Tour
The Grand Canyon is such an unbelievable place and geological phenomenon, and a bucket list item for those who truly love hiking is a trip to the bottom of the canyon. An early spring hike avoids the crowds and heat of summer. The bottom of the canyon stays warm year round, but at the south rim, with an elevation of 7,000 feet, we may encounter some freezing temperatures. As prepared hikers, we can enjoy the vast variety of the canyon as we descend from the ponderosa forests at the rim through the layers of Kaibab limestone, Coconino sandstone and hermit shale to the Colorado at the base of the Canyon. The variety within the Canyon is overwhelming. The land forms, the colors, the spectacular vistas, that first sighting of the Colorado. Every one of the 40 switchbacks along the trail offers its own visual and sensual adventure.
Our mini tour aims to get you to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in minimal time. You are picked up from Flagstaff and whisked to the south rim of the canyon – the major hub for canyon visitors. There will be time in the afternoon to stretch your legs and explore the many trails on the mesa. The next day we get right to it as we hike to the bottom of the canyon to meet the Colorado River via the South Kaibab Trail. A night at the bottom, in the historic Phantom Ranch is our reward – and our preparation, as next day we must regain all our altitude. Because of construction of a new water pipe system, our return the next day will again be on the South Kaibab Trail. With the upward perspective we will see all new views. After a celebration dinner at the famous El Tovar, we have time on the last morning to take in all the rim has to offer – the Trail of Time, museums and historic buildings, and even a sunrise hike to capture the magic of the sun’s rays as they penetrate the schism of time itself.
