Day Hikes

By camping inside the canyon, you can give yourself time to explore the lower elevations of the park. However, the extreme changes in temperature and elevation can make the Grand Canyon a nightmare for inexperienced or unprepared backpackers. The jarring descent strains your knees; the climb out tests your heart. Extreme heat often precludes hiking during the middle of the day, and water is scarce. Because of these hazards, a first-time backpacker should consider hiking on gentler terrain before venturing into the canyon.

Packing Tips for Backpackers

What you carry (or don't) in your pack is just as important as your choice of trails. Warm temperatures and dry weather make the canyon an ideal place for traveling light. Lighten your load by carrying dry food such as instant beans and ramen noodles. In summer, you can go lighter still by leaving the stove at home and preparing cold meals. Some foods that are usually heated, like ramen noodles or couscous, will soften in cold water -- even inside a water bottle -- over time. During early summer, carry a tent's rain fly or bivy sack instead of a tent. At this time of year, you're more likely to suffer problems related to heat -- and heavy packs -- than from the cold. Just be sure you know how to rig your shelter, in case rain does fall.

Also, make sure you have enough water containers. I usually carry 6 to 8 quarts in summer and sometimes, for long, waterless walks, bring even more. Drink all the time -- start before you get thirsty -- and refill your bottles whenever you have the chance. Eating carbohydrate-rich, salty food is just as important. If you guzzle too much water without eating, you run the risk of developing an electrolyte imbalance that can result in unconsciousness or death. Loss of appetite is common during a hike. Try to eat every time you take a drink, even if you don't feel hungry. Also, carry powdered Gatorade or another electrolyte replacement drink.

Equipment Checklist

Tent or light shelter

Ground cloth

Sleeping bag (very lightweight in summer)

Sleeping bag stuff sack (can be used to hang food)

Sleeping pad

Patch kit (if pad is inflatable)

Backpack (external frame is better)

Signal mirror

Compass

Headlamp with batteries

Spare batteries and bulbs

First-aid kit (adhesive tape, supportive elastic wrap, mole-skin, mole foam, iodine, gauze pads, bandages, aspirin, antihistamine, diarrhea medication, tweezers)

Water-purifying tablets (pumps often clog)

Two 1-quart unbreakable plastic water bottles plus one or two 4-liter nylon water bags

Small plastic or collapsible metal shovel for burying human waste

Waterproof matches

Lightweight camp stove and fuel (optional)

Stove repair kit and spare parts (if carrying stove)

Topo maps

Trail descriptions published by the Backcountry Information Center

Swiss army knife

Eating utensil

Lightweight cooking pot

Hiking boots

Two long-sleeved T-shirts

One pair shorts

Thick socks

Breathable water-resistant shell

Polypropylene underwear (top and bottom)

Polar fleece leggings and uppers (seasonal)

Winter cap and gloves (seasonal)

Wide-brimmed hat

100% UV protection sunglasses

High SPF sunscreen and lip balm

Extra plastic freezer bags

Toilet paper

Garbage bag

Notebook and pen (optional)

Lightweight camera and film (optional)

1/4-inch nylon rope (if necessary for hike)

Trail mix

Ramen noodles

Dehydrated beans

Dried foods

Granola bars

Turkey or beef jerky

Energy bars

Dried milk

Cold cereal

Raisins

Crackers

Very hard cheese

Salted peanut butter (in plastic jar)

Bagels

Note: Dried or freeze-dried food is fine only if you have access to water. If not, take food that doesn't require water during preparation.

Getting Permits

Permits are required for all overnight camping in the Backcountry that falls within the park's boundaries. This includes all overnight stays below the rims (except in the cabins and dorms at Phantom Ranch) and on park land outside of designated campgrounds. Good for up to a maximum of 11 people, each permit costs $10 plus an additional $5 per person per night (so the cost for four people, for example, would be $30).

Regular hikers can purchase a Frequent Hiker Membership, which costs $25 but waives the $10 permit fee for a year from the date of purchase.

Permits for the month desired go on sale on the first of the month, 4 months earlier. For example, permits for all of May go on sale on January 1; permits for June go on sale February 1, and so on. If you're not purchasing a permit in person, you'll need to complete a Backcountry Permit Request Form, included in the free Backcountry Trip Planner mailed out by the park. The Backcountry Trip Planners also suggest itineraries for first-time Grand Canyon hikers and offer advice on safe, low-impact hiking. To receive one, call the park's main extension at tel. 928/638-7888 and choose the "backcountry information" option. Or, write to Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, and request a Backcountry Trip Planner (not to be confused with one of the park's regular trip planners). You can also download a Permit Request Form and instructions by going to the backcountry section of the park's website: www.nps.gov/grca. To increase your odds of receiving a permit, be as flexible as possible when filling out the form. It helps to request three alternative hikes, in order of preference, and more than one starting date. Keeping your group small also helps.

Once you fill out your Permit Request Form, you can take it in person to the Backcountry Information Center on either rim; fax it to tel. 928/638-2125 no earlier than the date the permits become available; or mail it postmarked no earlier than that date. No requests are taken by phone. Allow 1 to 3 weeks for processing, after the Backcountry Information Center receives your form. Forms must be received at least two weeks prior to the dates requested. Faxing the form will get you a response much faster than mailing it.

If you have questions about a trail or about the process itself, the Backcountry Information Center takes calls weekdays between 1 and 5pm Mountain Standard Time at tel. 928/638-7875. You can visit the office in person from 8am to noon and 1 to 5pm daily.

Permits can sometimes be obtained in person outside the park's developed areas (and in some cases, outside the park) at Pipe Spring National Monument (tel. 928/643-7105) near Fredonia, Arizona, and at Ranger stations at Tuweep, Meadview, and Lees Ferry. At the Pipe Spring, Tuweep, Meadview, and Lees Ferry locations, you may not always find a ranger capable of processing your request.

Backcountry Permit Waiting List--If you show up at the park without a permit and find the Backcountry booked, you may be able to obtain a permit by putting your name on the waiting list. If you want to hike the corridor trails during the spring, summer, and fall, you should expect to spend at least 1 day on the waiting list before getting a permit. To place your name on the waiting list, show up in person at the Backcountry Information Center on the South Rim or at the Backcountry Reservation trailer on the North Rim. The ranger will give you a number. To stay on the waiting list, you'll have to show up at the Backcountry Information Center at 8am every morning until you receive an opening. Usually permits are for the next night, but occasionally, permits for that night are issued. Even though cancellations don't always come up, the center sometimes sets aside a spot or two at the Bright Angel Campground, Indian Garden, or Cottonwood Campground for people on the list.