Grand Canyon North Rim Tours

Trip Description: To experience the sheer magnitude and quiet vastness of the Grand Canyon, one must travel by foot through the backcountry. We’ll travel back 2 billion years through geological time on this challenging adventure designed for experienced and fit backpackers. This is an advanced level backpacking trip intended for those who have done a considerable amount of backpacking and are in great physical condition. Participants should be prepared for the steep difficult trail. If you would like to experience the Grand Canyon that very few people do, then this trip is for you. This remote and magnificent hike is truly unique. The huge outpourings of water at Thunder River, Tapeats Spring and Deer Spring have attracted people since prehistoric times and today this little corner of Grand Canyon is exceedingly popular among seekers of the remarkable. Like a gift, booming streams of crystalline water emerge from mysterious caves to transform the harsh desert of the inner Canyon into impossibly beautiful green oasis' replete with the music of falling water and cool pools. The approach is long, hot and dry but for those making the journey these destinations represent something close to Canyon perfection! One of the Canyon's best hikes! This is not a beginning backpack. We will hike on maintained but steep and rocky trails over challenging terrain with big elevation gains and losses on each day. Participants will carry 30-40 lbs of gear, including about 10 lbs of group gear (comprised mainly of food, tents, and cooking equipment) on their backs throughout the duration of the trip. Time spent in the wilderness below the rim of the Grand Canyon is an experience unlike any other in existence, and a self-supported and participatory journey on foot from the rim to the river and back constitutes a milestone accomplishment for a backpacker.

Accommodations: One night developed campsite, three nights backcountry camping.

Activity Level: Class 5 - Introductory Advanced Tour. Class 5 tours are meant for those that have done either a number of backpacking trips or are in superior physical condition. Participants must be prepared to do extremely heavy physical activity in extremely diverse environments, weather and terrain. The trails may not be well traveled and are not easy. Participants should be extremely comfortable with a pack on and be able to maintain balance and proper footing in diverse trail conditions. We will hike between 10-15 miles a day with a backpacking pack weighing anywhere between 30-45 pounds (depending on how many personal items you bring). Class 5 tours tend to be 4-5 hiking days and we may not utilize any base camps meaning we may be backpacking with packs every day. Age range tends to be 20-50. Please contact us if you are not in that age window, but still think you qualify.

Start Location: On the first night we meet at 6:00 p.m. at North Rim Campground inside the North Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. The next morning we'll drive approximately 25 miles along National Forest FIRE ROADS to the Bill Hall Trailhead. PLEASE NOTE: A 4WD Vehicle is HIGHLY recommended!
End Location: We will exit at the Bill Hall Trailhead at the North Rim.

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