Packing for Adventure

We packed a LOT into a short amount of time!

Day 1: Drive to Grand Canyon

6:00AM – left home for a 10-hour drive to the South Rim

• We wanted to get there by 3:30 PM to turn in our duffel bag ($10 late fee if dropped after 4:00 PM
• Luckily we gained an hour due to the time change and made it by 2:30 PM
• We made a quick stop at Desert Viewpoint for a scenic overlook before turning in our duffel bag at the Mule Barn across the street from the Bright Angel Lodge

3:15 AM – we used the shuttle service to head to the Visitor Center

• We wanted to get some last minute advice from a park ranger before they closed at 4:00 PM
• Afterwards we stopped at the Conservancy Store across the street to window shop for souvenirs

4:30 PM – we used the shuttle service to head back to the Bright Angel Lodge

• We checked into our room – we were lucky to be staying the night in the one cabin that had ice
• We took some time to check our bearings, make sure we knew how to get to the Hiker Express shuttle in the morning, and got our things packed for the morning
• We explored around the Bright Angel Lodge at the different shops

6:00 PM – ate dinner at the Harvey House Cafe

• We ate here because it was right next to our hotel, but we were pleasantly surprised! Chris got the fish and chips and loved them. I got the Southwest Caesar Salad and Fajita Chicken Quesadilla. I loved the salad! The quesadilla was pretty good too.

8:00 PM – Straight to bed! Early morning ahead!

Day 2: Descent – South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch

3:30 AM – woke up

• Got dressed , got our gear, and dropped off some things in our car before walking to the shuttle bus and caught the 4:00 AM Hiker Express

4:30 AM – Arrival at the South Kaibab Trailhead and started our descent!

8:45 AM – Arrival at the Phantom Ranch!

• It was HOT! 103°F – Our cabin wasn’t ready yet, so we enjoyed some lemonade (and a few refills) in the air-conditioned Canteen
• We took off our shoes and waded in the nearby creek to cool off and enjoy the scenery

11:30 AM – Cabin was ready! We checked in and took a much deserved nap!

5:00 PM – Steak dinner family-style with other hikers – we swapped stories and advice

8:00 PM – Last stop at the Canteen

• We picked up our sack lunch for the next day
• Purchased some ice to help keep our Gatorade cool
• Dropped off our duffel bag for the mules to take to the Bright Angel Lodge Mule Barn

9:00 PM – Straight to bed! Even earlier morning tomorrow!

• Even though we were getting an earlier start, we went to bed a little later due to our nap

Day 3: Ascent – Phantom Ranch → Tonto Trail → Bright Angel Trail

3:00 AM – woke up

• Got dressed , got our gear, and we were off!

5:00 AM – arrival at the Tipoff Point – ate some breakfast and took a short break

7:30 AM – arrival at the Havasupai Gardens via the Tonto Trail – took a 15-minute break

11:45 AM – arrival at the Bright Angel Trailhead!

• We took some short breaks at the 3-mile and 1.5-mile Resthouses
• First stop at the top was ice cream at The Fountain! It is perfectly located very close to the trailhead, the Bright Angel Lodge, and spectacular views!
• Then we made the rounds to get some lunch and some hard-earned souvenirs and gifts for the kids and grandparents

2:00 PM – duffel bag pick up at the Mule Barn

2:30 PM – Bright Angel Lodge check in

• We had tried to check into our hotel before we got lunch, but they were having computer problems – we were very eager to have a shower!

4:00 PM – Hermits Rest

• We took the shuttle bus to Hermits Rest and made several stops along the way – our favorite stops were Hopi Point and Pima Point

6:30 PM – Dinner at Harvey House Cafe

• We would have preferred to eat somewhere different, but this place was so close to our cabin and we were tired, and we liked it enough the first time to eat there again
• I’ll admit I had been eyeing a molten lava cake the night before our trek to Phantom Ranch, and I vowed to have it when we had successfully finished our hike. Chris got the apple crisp dessert.

Day 4: Drive home

10:30 AM – woke up, packed up, and hit the road!

• We were excited to see our kids and pups back at home! We really enjoyed sleeping in!!