Want to see the Grand Canyon from every possible viewpoint if you answered yes then this is the event for you. 3 day rim to rim hike with backpacking and camping in the canyon, 1 day of white water rafting, jeep ride into the canyon, helicopter ride and visiting the skywalk where you can look straight down through the clear (window like floor) and see the canyon below.

There will be a planning meeting on what gear you will need to bring.  The meeting is on the calendar for February 2nd you must attend this meeting as well as two practice hikes with your gear for you to attend this event. 

You must physically be able to carry your own gear to be able to participate in this event.  If you are in the Grand  Canyon and are not able to continue the rescue fees could be in the excess of $2,500.00   

Day 1 and 2 travel day to Grand Canyon

Day 2 visit upper canyon area

Day 3-5 hiking rim to rim

Day 6 white-water rafting and helicopter ride of Colorado River

Day 7 Skywalk

Day 7 and 8 travel day back to San Antonio.

North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Trail

Hiking the rim to rim trail, as described, is the recommended route for several reasons. Hiking from the higher North Rim to the South Rim means less of an uphill climb at the end of the trail and choosing the Bright Angel Trail over the South Kaibab Trail means more shade to hike in and the opportunity to fill up on water. The North Kaibab trailhead is a lofty 8200', while the Bright Angel trailhead is at about 6800'.

 The North Kaibab Trail: Starting Elevation 8250'.
It's 14.5 miles (Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground) and a 5841'. descent. The North Kaibab Trail begins by winding down a steep trail through a high alpine forest of aspen, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Hiking the trail after the mule rides quit for the season is ideal.

Coconino Overlook: The Coconino Overlook is only .75 miles and 500' below the rim. This area is a showcase of coconino sandstone where students are taken to see the fault and the many layers of rock that are visible. The red rocks seen are the Supai formation. The Coconino Overlook gives a nice view of Roaring Springs Canyon.

Supai Tunnel: Switchbacks twist and turn through Roaring Springs Canyon. A good day hike would end at the Supai Tunnel. At this point the hike is 1.8 miles and the elevation is 6800'. At Supai Tunnel there is an unreliable fresh water source and restrooms. The Supai formation are the red rocks visible from the trail above.

Roaring Springs: After passing through the small man-made Supai Tunnel, imposing cliffs come into view. Pinyon's and junipers become dominant. The Red Wall Bridge is a popular resting spot before heading down the cliff hugging trail ahead. The formations now are Redwall Limestone, Muav Limestone, Bright Angel Shale and Tapeats Sandstone. Almost 5 miles down the trail is Roaring Springs. (4.7 miles) At this point you will have descended 3041'. The off-shoot trail to Roaring Springs is .25 miles. There is fresh water and restrooms there. The elevation is 5200' at Roaring Springs.

Cottonwood Campground: Before getting to the campground you will pass by the Bruce's house, the pump house operator. (Water and an emergency phone are available at the ranger residence and the pump house. The trail follows the eastern side of Bright Angel Canyon for .25 miles to the Cottonwood Campground. At this point you have hiked 6.9 miles and the elevation is only 4000'. The forest gives way to yucca and prickly pear cactus. There is fresh water, (restrooms and camping) here. Look for the round Oza Butte and Bright Angel Point from the Cottonwood Campground.

3 Day  - North Rim to South Rim Hike

The trail now follows the eastern side of Bright Angel Creek. a half-mile from the Cottonwood Campground the trail crosses Wall Creek. This is the easiest day of the hike.

Ribbon Falls: Ribbon Falls is 1 mile from Cottonwood Campground and a must do .25 mile side trail. This beautiful 100'. waterfall resembles ribbons blowing in the breeze, which is how it got its name. A unique moss covered cone takes center stage as the water beats down on the soft green mat of moss. Maidenhair fern, golden columbine and scarlet monkey flowers take advantage of the cool wet location. Return on the same trail hiked in on to go back to the North Kaibab Trail. The trail leading the other direction is difficult to follow. The elevation at Ribbon Falls is 3720'.

The Box: Back on the North Kaibab Trail, the switchbacks ascend 1.5 miles along Bright Angel Creek. The next section is a swampy area which is a refreshing change since it's a shady and cool section of the hike. Soon the walls of Bright Angel Canyon close in to form what is called "The Box". This is a 4 mile corridor with 1000'. walls of vishnu schist and oroaster granite. There are four bridges that cross back and forth across the canyon. Leaving the Box, the land opens up for the next .75 mile hike to Phantom Ranch.

Bright Angel Creek is a treatable water source. The creek was given its name in contrast to Dirty Devil Creek.

North Rim to South Rim Hike

Phantom Ranch: Walking through the Phantom Ranch area is about .5 miles of the hike. To eat or stay at the ranch you must reserve (303.297.2757) a meal or room, but there are candy bars, drinks and other snacks that can be purchased. If you want a Phantom Ranch T-shirt bring some extra money or a credit card. The ranger station and ranger bunkhouse are also along this section of the trail. After the trail leaves Phantom Ranch, it passes the Bright Angel Campground. (camping, restrooms, fresh water) There are seasonal ranger programs at the campground. At this point you have hiked14.4 miles from the top of North Rim. The elevation at the campground is 2480'.

Colorado River: After leaving all the manmade construction, the trail returns to the welcome site of nature. The Colorado River (elevation 2400') is .25 miles from Bright Angel Campground. Cross the Colorado River on Silver Bridge. On the other side of the bridge are some Ancestral Puebloan Ruins and the Black Bridge that crosses the Colorado River. The Colorado River is 14 miles and a 5500' elevation drop from the North Rim.

The River Trail: The River Trail runs above the Colorado River and has little in the way of harsh elevation change. Part of the trail has deep sand and this section of the rim to rim hike has some of the most spectacular scenery. The River Trail is 1.7 miles long and ends at the river rest house (emergency phone) and the Bright Angel Trail begins.

Bright Angel Trail: Start of Bright Angel Trail is at the river rest house The trail begins a steady uphill climb following and crossing Garden Creek. The Devils Corkscrew is a 200'. ascent from the bottom of the canyon that switchbacks through vishnu schist. Keep your eyes open for a cascade of water about a mile from the Indian Gardens rest stop and campground. The trail gets steeper and continues to the right of Garden Creek. The mules use this section of the trail heavily. The Bright Angel Trail is 9.6 miles long with a 4460'. elevation change.

Indian Gardens: Indian Gardens offers fresh water, restrooms, camping and a ranger station with emergency phone and medical supplies. This is also where the mules will stop and rest. It is unlikely that you will escape the mules (or at least their droppings) from this point until the 3 mile rest house. The bright angel shale here forms the Tonto Platform.

Climbing up to the South Rim: From here you are looking at hiking up 3000' in the next 4.5 miles. The trek is steep. Jacobs Ladder climbs, switchbacking, as it ascends. The 3 Mile rest house offers fresh water, emergency phone and from this point there is 2000' to climb in the next 3 miles. There is a short trail behind the rest house that leads to the remains of an old cable car system and some nice views of the canyon. At 2 Mile Corner there are pictographs nearby beneath an overhanging boulder that you must look for if you want to see them. The 1.5 mile rest house offers fresh water, a restroom, and an emergency phone. If you are wearing a backpack the trail at this point will feel extremely steep. There are two man-made tunnels along the next section of the trail that are carved in the Kaibab limestone. Look for some more pictographs just before the tunnel.

Best Trail Features: The Colorado River, Ribbon Falls, the changing mountain scenes.

Jeep ride and White-Water Rafting and Helicopter ride

The One Day Grand Canyon Rafting Expedition starts at 6.30 AM at Grand Canyon Old West Jeep Tours’ office in historic Downtown Williams, Arizona.  After a brief check-in at Hualapai Lodge, your Grand Canyon rafting adventure begins with a scenic ride on a custom-built jeep to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  As you descend into the canyon on the Diamond Creek Road, the only road to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

At the bottom of the Grand Canyon you’ll meet your river guide, who’ll help you into your life vests and rain gear before boarding your pontoon boat.  You’ll waste no time getting wet, as you plunge into your first rapid!  Mid-way through the morning, you’ll break for a simple hike, and a ladder-assisted climb, into a hidden nook of the Colorado River, where an underground spring emerges through the travertine to form a beautiful waterfall.  Back on the river, it's time for more excitement as more white water awaits you! The rapids on this trip average Class II and III, considered "moderate" on a scale of I to IV, which means that this trip can be enjoyed by children as young as 8.

After an exhilarating run through the rapids, it’s time to take a break for lunch. After lunch, the rest of your journey is all about relaxation and reflection on your eventful day.  You’ll float past fluted rock formations and historic Separation Canyon, where 3 members of the first Colorado River expedition in 1869 left the group, meeting an uncertain fate.  Your final destination on the river is Quartermaster Point. Here, your river guide bids you farewell as you board a helicopter* for a brief but exciting flight back to Grand Canyon West.

Back on the rim, you then board a bus and head back to Hualapai Lodge, where Grand Canyon Old West Jeep Tours’ mini-coach is waiting for you for the return trip to Williams Arizona.

$500.00 Price includes: round-trip transportation from Williams Arizona, Hualapai Tribal Park entrance fee, lunch and beverages on the river, helicopter transport* from river to canyon rim; life vests provided by Hualapai River Runners.

See video at:

http://www.grandcanyon.com/white-water-rafting-tour.html

Skywalk info $30.00 per person

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/