Grand Canyon Backcountry Permit Approved!
Our Grand Canyon permit has been approved! Our permit is for the following itinerary, North Rim to South Rim:
First day: CCG COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND
Second day: CBG BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND
Third day: CBG BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND
Fourth day: CIG INDIAN GARDEN CAMPGROUND
Fifth day: OUT Hiking Out
Google Maps says the whole hike is 22.5 miles and just over 10 hours. Since we are doing it over five days (four days of hiking), then it should be a piece of cake, right? Since we received our approval, we've been busy planning the trip to get there and back. Here is what it looks like so far:
Friday - drive to Devils Canyon Forest Service campground via Moab, UT
Saturday - drive to Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park
Sunday - shuttle ride over to North Rim, tent camp on North Rim
Monday - hike down to Cottonwood Campground
Tuesday - hike down to Bright Angel Campground (the bottom)
Wednesday - explore the Colorado River area, have steak dinner and a beer at Phantom Ranch (this seems like cheating!)
Thursday - breakfast at Phantom Ranch, hike to Indian Garden Campground
Friday - hike to South Rim, move our camper van to Mather Campground
Saturday - explore South Rim, camp again in Mather Campground
Sunday - drive to Durango, Colorado area
Monday - drive home
We don't have any reservations yet for the Durango area. Does anyone have some good suggestions? Boondocking/dry camping is acceptable to us.
One of the Grand Canyon Park Rangers is a Blue Knights alum and we are planning on visiting with her during our visit. We are so excited!
(RB)