3 years later, finally going to the Canyon

DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

Well, I've finally got a permit to hike in the Grand Canyon (apparently my schedule and the back country office are totally different).

It's just a 2-dayer and we are doing Grandview down to Cottonwood Creek for 2 nights. Nothing to rough, and allows a day of rest too.

I'll be 43 right after this trip and looking forward to the views and connection to the vastness.

I'm wondering about the pack rats down there. Will a screw top plastic food container work fine for my Mountain House meals and snacks?

Any way, very much looking forward to my first "experience!"

PS - I've got a lot more grey hair than this avatar when I was only 39! Yikes!
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Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Plenty of tree's at cottonwood, a stuff sack hanging should be fine for your food at night. I hope you don't mean a bear canister for your food, that is definitely overkill for the canyon.
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MaxPower · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Prescott, AZ

I've had no problems with hard plastic containers in the canyon. I've used both those and the hanging stuff sack and never lost any food. I haven't camped at Cottonwood, but it's survived at other well-used locations like Monument Creek.
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paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Hikngrl · Posted: 4/2/2011, 7:48 am Post subject:

YAY!!!!! It's NEVER to late to go to the Canyon! Have a great time and report back with stories and pictures!
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DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

Agreed Davis, I wasn't in the market for an 80$ bear container for some pesky canyon rats. LOL.

Good call on hanging the stuff sack from the tree, or just a generic plastic container.

I'm looking forward to the trip and getting my gear back out and carrying my house on my back. Very cool. I'm taking my good camera and should have plenty of pictures to share when I get back. I sure wish I had a 10 or 12 wide angle for this trip.
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

azbackpackr · Posted: 4/2/2011, 10:34 am Post subject:

I just hang a stuff sack. Have never had a problem.

DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

Go figure, finally get a permit and a time I can do the canyon, and the weather forecast is for rain, cold, more rain, and possibly snow and nights in the twenties! I guess, water sources won't be an issue! UGh. I've got a cheap 30+ bag and don't really like the idea of mud, rain and snow for my first experience. LOL.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USAZ0088?dp=windsdp
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

azbackpackr · Posted: 4/3/2011, 7:53 pm Post subject:

Dude, that is for the rim. Don't worry. Take your shorts and Tevas. (Also take a tent, just in case. I never leave my tent behind if there is any rain forecast.) But a lot of times it will rain and snow on the rim and barely do anything below the rim. Especially if forecast is for scattered showers.

MaxPower · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Prescott, AZ

I always figure that going to the canyon is better than not going to the canyon, no matter what the weather! Besides, the forecasts are for rim temperatures, so adding 10 degrees to that for Cottonwood Creek will help. It's a great area to camp, has reliable water, and you can always climb the west side of Horseshoe Mesa and explore the caves, or go up to the mesa and come down via the trail off the inner western arm back to the Tonto again and loop back to the campsite. You'll have a great time!!
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"Never take no cut-offs, and hurry along as fast as you can" -- Virginia Reed, surviving member of the Donner party

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Even if it did snow, Grandview looks great in snow.

Pics

You'll have a great time rain or shine.
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DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

Max and Davis - thanks for the encouraging words. Agreed, I really want to be at the Canyon. So, I'll plan on the forecast getting better and pack thermals to compensate for my cheap bag.

Besides, it's going to be sunny on Sunday 1 out of three ain't bad. LOL.
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Some hot chocolate and a flask of baileys wouldn't hurt either.
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DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

With rain and snow all day Saturday - I think Crown will be in order.

Not looking forward to 16 degree nights after a day of rain, snow and cold. Hmmm.
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Those are rim temps, this should be a little more accurate.
Link

You can click on the map and it adjusts the elevation and temps accordingly. Still looks like a crappy forecast but as of now it's calling for rain everyday. In the 7 years I lived in AZ I don't think I saw 7 days of rain in a row.....just saying.
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