Kris is really interested in going to the grand canyon sometime soon. I'm trying to start research but figured I'd start here to see what people think.

Ideally we'd do some backpacking or camping in some sweet, remote locations.

I'm in the air on if we'd drive ourselves out (which would be ideal but time) or if we'd fly out somewhere and rent a car (vegas?)

Anybody have experience?

oh, sweet. I'll check that out.

You should update this thread or another in locations with a trip report once you're back so we can see it and find it easily.

Havasu Falls (and that whole area). It flooded recently, but should be getting back to normal.

One of the wildest places I've ever heard of/seen, but never gotten to visit. Should be a pretty easy backpack.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Havasu Falls (and that whole area). It flooded recently, but should be getting back to normal.

One of the wildest places I've ever heard of/seen, but never gotten to visit. Should be a pretty easy backpack.

I was actually going to suggest that. i would love to go someday.

Go to www.FredMiranda.com and type in havasu on a search you will see some awesome shots.

we drove there on our 5,500 9 day road trip. FYI Zion is just NE and as you mentioned Las Vegas is west. Also, Yosemite and Death Valley are about 6 hours from Vegas I think. So that whole area is awesome for driving/hiking/shooting.

We camped on the south rim. That's the touristy side. The north side is supposed to have much better quieter camping.

Ben your horizon's are crooked.

Nice shot Vic!

I'm back! Vacation was a blast. Lots of hikes, little bit of soreness and perfect weather. I was in the 80's yesterday and swimming. Today I am freezing in my overcoat.

Got home at 2:30am, up at 6:30am for work.

Almost all of my pictures were taken during mid day and a lot of them into the sun. I'll see how they turned out this week.

Originally Posted by VicRSTi

Agree with this one. it's a 10-mile hike in and maybe half the elevation change as Bright Angel Trail in the main Grand Canyon area. You don't get to see the Colorado River on this traill but you end up on one of it's smaller tributaries..... with its beautiful blue/green waters.

Shot with 300d w/ 18-55mm lens.

W-O-W

jjswee post your report!

Other people that have been - I need some trip planning advice. Kris and I are not sure if we need to get a backcountry camping permit to get to the spots that we want to go (we don't know where we want to go yet). Any advice?

My guess is there are a lot of day trips that would be cool to do without a backcountry pass, but it'd be nice to get REAL remote.

Our plan is to go in March or April this year, fly to vegas, rent a car, go to GC, maybe Death Valley, then come back for a night or two in vegas then fly back.

I think Scott is off on his climbing trip so I may have to wait for him.

How accessable was the park from hotels, pretty good? If its good from hotels its probably fine without a backcountry permit, especially early in the season. I just like being far away from people.

I didn't get off into the backcountry much, but I did go to the bottom and back up in one day, would have been much more enjoyable in 2 days.

Havasupai is the only backcountry spot I know that I'd suggest. Other than that I'm pretty clueless about the GC backcountry and frankly, I'd suggest not messing with it.

I do plan on doing Havasupai, and I'm trying to not do backcountry but Kris like REALLY wants to backpack for a 3-5 day trip in the canyon. She's never been out west so I don't really think she knows what she's getting into. I haven't doing desert backcountry for over 10 years but its completely different from what we do near us where there's a stream crossing every 1-2mi to fill water up.