Hike the Grand Canyon

Date:  TBA October 2-5,  9-12 or 23-26, 2009

Based on the change of dates for the hike, the below are updated information on the weather and time schedule.  Apparently the month's of October is supposed to be the best time of the month for people to do their hike, because the weather is cooler and it is not as HOT...triple digit temperature!

I spoke to the vendor and confirmed that to get the best discount, we actually need 11 people.

The average weather for the year is outlined below, but the Vendor recommends that we check the weather report the week before our trip to get a more accurate read on it.

 ANNUAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

Inner Canyon - River Level

(Average Elevation 2100 feet) 

According to them the water level is stable year round and because the water is fed by a Spring the water temperature is consistent at around 70°  all year long.  At that time of year, the sun rises at about 5:30-6:00AM and sets at around 6:30-7:00PM.

 CHECKLIST SUGGESTION

The following are items that they suggest bringing for that time of the year, again, that is just a recommendation, but they suggest to check weather report before coming down to be sure and judge for yourself what you need to bring.  The extra stuff will be packed and carried down to the base camp by mules...the only thing you will be carrying during hike will be water bottles, camera's, sunblock, etc.

Fall Season (Oct - Nov)

1) Waterproof Breathable Shell(coat)

2) Fleece Jacket

3) 2 t-shirts (no cotton, moisture transferring materials only)

4) 1 Thermal Undershirts

5) 1 change underwear for each day of trek

6) 1 change socks for each day of trek

7) Winter hat and gloves

8) Hiking Boots or Trail Sneakers (broken in boots only!!!)

9) 1 pair of long pants and 1 pair of shorts (no denim or cotton) or 2 pair long pants

 COSTS

The costs include everything, food, camping equipment and guides.  The only thing we are required to bring is a backpack with our personal belongings and water, all personal belonging will be packed in a water proof bag and carried down to base camp with the mules...we are only required to carry sunblock, water bottle, camera's, etc for the hike downwards.  For the 3 Day / 2 Night trip the prices are as follow:

4-7 people = $655.00 / person

8-10 people = $605.00 / person

10+ people = $555.00 / person  (THIS IS OUR TARGET PRICE!)

  Gratuity and 7% AZ sales tax not included.

If you choose to take the mule ride or a helicopter ride back, it would be an additional costs as outlined below

 * Havasu Falls Mule Rides $90 each way per person

* Havasu Falls Helicopter $90 each way per person

We are considering renting a van so that everyone can go together and split the cost of the rental and gas...so far, for a 12 seat van - GMC Savana or similar car, cost will be $520, including insurance.  And gas, we estimate about $40 / person.  So, if 10 people are going and we consider this route...we are looking at about $100 / person for gas & transportation (rounding up).  (Note: it is probably less, but since we have no way of knowing what the gas price will be, I am estimating high at this moment).

Thursday night accomodation at AZTEC INN, in Seligman, AZ.  Small Inn...they only have 3 X 2 Queen size beds and 4 X 1 Queen size beds.  (Keep in mind, we will only be spending 1 night here only, before being picked up by the Tour group for our hike the next morning.)

If 4 people are willing to share 1 room, 2 Queen size bed = $14 / person.

If 2 people are sharing 1 room, 1 Queen size bed = $22 / person.

If 1 person gets a room for themselves, 1 Queen bed = $38 / person.

So, example the best case scenario / person:

3 Day / 2 Night Hiking Tour                           = $555.00 + $38.85 (taxes) = $594.00

Car rental, insurance & gas                          = $100.00

1 Night room rental (sharing with 3 people) = $14.00

Total Costs (not including tips for guide)      = $708.00

But, these prices are just examples...we can forgo renting a car and carpool and split gas /car, which will lower the cost of the trip...according to mapquest it is a toal of 400 miles from my house to the Inn.  I know Helen does not mind driving, but her car only holds 4 people total.  The prices above are just examples only for you to consider...we will discuss the other details further as we go along...we still have 4 month's before the trip gets here to make a final decision and coordinate transportation.

ITINERARY

Thursday, October 2, 2008:  Leave OC, by 11:00 AM latest, according to mapquest it is a 6 hour drive but we will pad 2 hours in there for gas & pitstop's.  Should arrive at the Inn by 7:00 PM or later, check in to Hotel and spend the night.

Friday, October 3, 2008:  Get picked up by Pygmy Tours at 7:00 AM from Hotel, en-route they will serve us a Continental Breakfast.  Should arrive at the Trailhead by 8:30 AM, load up mules and stretch, should be ready to start hike around 9:00 AM.  Hike will last about 5-7 hours depending on the speed of our group, how long we want to dawdle during snack and lunch time, taking pictures and swimming in the waterfalls.  Should arrive at camp between 2-4PM...where we set up camp, have dinner and go to bed.  B/L/D.

Saturday, October 4, 2008:  Spend the day exploring the area, check out the other smaller falls, pools and watering holes.  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be served by the tour group.

Sunday, October 5, 2008:  After breakfast, break camp and pack for our hike back...exact time will be determined by guides...but usually for hikers, leave camp around 6:00-7:00AM...for those who choose to go out via mules, they will leave about 8:00 AM.  We should get back to the Inn around 1-3PM depending on our group speed.  Breakfast & lunch will be served by the tour group.  Make our way home, should arrive back in OC late, around 10-11PM, depending on traffic conditions. 

Please keep in mind that the above information is a best estimate only, nothing is confirmed at this moment...we have 4 people confirmed and committed on this trip so far and 9 others that have shown an interest but can not commit yet at this time.  If we get 12 people committed to going the cost of transportation & gas will reduce down to about $85 / person instead of $100.00...LOL...not much of a reduction, but enough to cover tipping or a nice lunch/dinner?

I will not book this until we can get at least 11 people committed on this trip for the best discount for everyone...so, for those of you on the fence, please let me know as soon as you can whether you can committ to the trip or not.

We will need 50% deposit for the tour at the time of booking and the remaining balance by 9/2/08...so, if we get our 11 people...$297.00 from everyone when we can confirm the 11 bodies, and the remaining balance of $296.85 by 9/2/08.  So, for those of you that really want to go, start recruiting people that will committ.  At this moment the date that we want to go are still available...but, because it is the best month to go hiking, the vendors suspect that it will probably sell out quickly.  So, I would really like to be able to book this date by July the latest...so start recruiting.

Thanks, Lp