Comments on: The Grand Canyon: Hiking, Mule Tours, Condors and Whitewater Rafting http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/ How do you begin to plan a girls' getaway to a city you've never visited? Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:15:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Tobey Cockrell http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-23931 Tobey Cockrell Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:15:59 +0000 http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-23931 i was wondering if it is posibble to rent a mule ride to the bottom, and camp over-night in a tent. I dont know anything about rules and regulations in the park. i was wondering if it is posibble to rent a mule ride to the bottom, and camp over-night in a tent. I dont know anything about rules and regulations in the park.

]]> By: tish http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-19635 tish Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:13:40 +0000 http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-19635 gcmaven -- Thanks for your insight and corrections. We were there in mid-June this year. The trail I took along the rim was absolutely not paved. It was gravel and at times very close to the edge and rocky. (When we felt it was too rocky close to the rim, we could easily move a bit away from the edge and walk along the blacktopped road instead, but could still see the canyon.) The trail going the other way from El Tovar was paved right alongside the rim -- it was distinctly different for walking and more suitable for people who don't feel surefooted. That was our experience. We did not descend into the canyon itself. gcmaven –

Thanks for your insight and corrections. We were there in mid-June this year. The trail I took along the rim was absolutely not paved. It was gravel and at times very close to the edge and rocky. (When we felt it was too rocky close to the rim, we could easily move a bit away from the edge and walk along the blacktopped road instead, but could still see the canyon.) The trail going the other way from El Tovar was paved right alongside the rim — it was distinctly different for walking and more suitable for people who don’t feel surefooted. That was our experience. We did not descend into the canyon itself.

]]> By: gcmaven http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-19625 gcmaven Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:20:54 +0000 http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/#comment-19625 "Hiking on the Rim or Below the Rim. The West trail (left from El Tovar as you face the canyon) was just a gravel trail, either right along the rim or somewhat away from the edge. " Sounds like you're talking about the rim trail. But if so, when did you take this trip? It had to be years ago (you've dated this story Sep 2007). The rim trail has been paved all the way from Pipe Creek Vista on the East Rim to Maricopa Point on the West Rim, well west of El Tovar for years. Or by saying gravel trail did you mean the Bright Angel Trail that goes down into the canyon, 9+miles to the bottom instead of the trail that heads west and east from behind El Tovar? "The Park Service maintains 7 resorts there including El Tovar" The park service doesn't maintain any of the hotels and lodges (there are no resorts) here. They are operated and maintained by Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. "Here’s a photo of Phantom Lodge at the very bottom the canyon" The place is called Phantom Ranch, not Phantom Lodge. "6) Mule Trips and Horseback Rides. ...Trail rides on horses are available from a private stable" There are trail rides on horseback through the national forest, outside of the national park boundaries. “Hiking on the Rim or Below the Rim. The West trail (left from El Tovar as you face the canyon) was just a gravel trail, either right along the rim or somewhat away from the edge. ”
Sounds like you’re talking about the rim trail. But if so, when did you take this trip? It had to be years ago (you’ve dated this story Sep 2007). The rim trail has been paved all the way from Pipe Creek Vista on the East Rim to Maricopa Point on the West Rim, well west of El Tovar for years. Or by saying gravel trail did you mean the Bright Angel Trail that goes down into the canyon, 9+miles to the bottom instead of the trail that heads west and east from behind El Tovar?

“The Park Service maintains 7 resorts there including El Tovar” The park service doesn’t maintain any of the hotels and lodges (there are no resorts) here. They are operated and maintained by Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C.

“Here’s a photo of Phantom Lodge at the very bottom the canyon” The place is called Phantom Ranch, not Phantom Lodge.

“6) Mule Trips and Horseback Rides. …Trail rides on horses are available from a private stable” There are trail rides on horseback through the national forest, outside of the national park boundaries.

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