Clear Creek 2012
The best season to backpack the Grand Canyon is in the winter. In the spring and fall, there are so many people trying to hike that it is very difficult to get a permit. The summer is really hot and permits are still difficult to get because of all the European visitors. In winter, you can get a permit to any area. Snow and ice might be found at the South Rim at an elevation of 6600 feet, but temperatures are pleasant down in the canyon along the Colorado River at 2400 feet. The key to a good winter trip is to time your hike to coincide with a good weather forecast.
In mid-February, 2012, Ron Bartell and Christine Mitchell joined Rena and me for a 6-day Grand Canyon hike. This is the third time that Rena and I have done a winter trip. The destination was Clear Creek. Our itinerary was as follows:
Day 1 - Hike down the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim and spend the night in the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch (10.3 miles and 4,380 feet elevation loss).
Day 2 - Hike to Clear Creek and camp.(9.1 miles)
Day 3 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 4 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 5 - Retrace our steps back to Phantom Ranch and spend another night at the Bright Angel Campground (9.1 miles).
Day 6 - Hike back to the South Rim via an alternate route, the shorter and steeper South Kaibab Trail (7.4 miles and 4,660 feet elevation gain)
The trip went as planned except that Christine became ill on the way down. She and Ron decided to spend the first night at Indian Gardens Campground, about half way down. The plan was that they would possibly catch up with us later when she recovered. But it took her 3 nights to feel better. They eventually returned to the South Rim and we met them after we hiked out. Good thing we brought 2 stoves on this outing.
Rena and I had two really nice dayhikes at Clear Creek. We explored the East Fork of Clear Creek one day and then hiked north in the direction of Chevaya Falls the second. These falls are the highest in the canyon when they flow in the spring. At this time of year they are dry. We saw Indian ruins and petroglyphs. The weather was good the entire time. On Day 6, as we climbed up the South Kaibab Trail, we met Ron who had come part way down to meet us. He had done day hikes from Indian Gardens while Christine was recuperating.
Another backpack in the Grand Canyon is being planned for next year.
Read MoreIn mid-February, 2012, Ron Bartell and Christine Mitchell joined Rena and me for a 6-day Grand Canyon hike. This is the third time that Rena and I have done a winter trip. The destination was Clear Creek. Our itinerary was as follows:
Day 1 - Hike down the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim and spend the night in the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch (10.3 miles and 4,380 feet elevation loss).
Day 2 - Hike to Clear Creek and camp.(9.1 miles)
Day 3 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 4 - Dayhike near Creek Creek.
Day 5 - Retrace our steps back to Phantom Ranch and spend another night at the Bright Angel Campground (9.1 miles).
Day 6 - Hike back to the South Rim via an alternate route, the shorter and steeper South Kaibab Trail (7.4 miles and 4,660 feet elevation gain)
The trip went as planned except that Christine became ill on the way down. She and Ron decided to spend the first night at Indian Gardens Campground, about half way down. The plan was that they would possibly catch up with us later when she recovered. But it took her 3 nights to feel better. They eventually returned to the South Rim and we met them after we hiked out. Good thing we brought 2 stoves on this outing.
Rena and I had two really nice dayhikes at Clear Creek. We explored the East Fork of Clear Creek one day and then hiked north in the direction of Chevaya Falls the second. These falls are the highest in the canyon when they flow in the spring. At this time of year they are dry. We saw Indian ruins and petroglyphs. The weather was good the entire time. On Day 6, as we climbed up the South Kaibab Trail, we met Ron who had come part way down to meet us. He had done day hikes from Indian Gardens while Christine was recuperating.
Another backpack in the Grand Canyon is being planned for next year.
