Rim-to-Rim side hikes

[azdesertfather]

Taking a long, leisurely Rim-Rim-RIm over 4-5 days (starting S. Kiabab, ending Bright Angel), and I could use any side-trip options that you can offer! Along the River near Phantom Ranch, from the North Rim? (outside of Roaring Springs and Supai Tunnel)

Any posts here or PM's to me would be MOST appreciated!

[Dave1]

Here's a quote from Harvey Butchart's book that intrigues me:

"Cave explorers talk enthusiastically about climbing up into Wall Creek, another good tributary of Bright Angel Creek."

That's pretty much all the info he gives though...

[maxpower]

In the Phantom Ranch area you can do an out-and-back on Clear Creek trail, for as far as you want or have time allocated. I've done some off trail scrambling up Phantom Creek towards the saddle north of Cheops Pyramid. If you do this, bring Teva sandals or the equivalent as some walking in the creek is a necessity. And you will have to wade across Bright Angel creek as well. Another short diversion it to ascend the bottom section of the South Kaibab and then take the Tonto trail across to Indian Gardens. I think this is lots more scenic that doing the bottom section of the Bright Angel trail through the corkscrew.

[sirena]

I explored up Wall Creek about an hour a couple of weeks ago and got to a very pretty waterfall: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=12904

[Al_HikesAZ]

In addition to Clear Creek and Phantom Canyon, there's Ribbon Falls and Upper Ribbon Falls.

[nonot]

• Utah Flats
  Cheops
  91 Mile
  Phantom Canyon
  Wall Creek
  Brahma-Deva Saddle
  Clear Creek trail to Zoroaster
  old Miner's Trail
  Ribbon Falls
  Upper Ribbon Falls
  Upper Upper Ribbon Falls
  The Transcept
  Roaring Springs

[Al_HikesAZ]

Nonot - is there a way up Cheops that doesn't require rope and protection? I suppose I should buy Aaron & Pernell Tomasi GCSSII book. http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/g ... t/10633267 Should be some inspiring reading. I have Wayne Tomasi's book on South Rim trails. I understand he is working on a North Rim Trails book.

As long as you throw Cheops on the list what about Isis?

azdesertfather - what level of difficulty did you have in mind? The operative words that I read were leisurely. Your definition of leisurely might be different from nonot's. Some of nonot's suggestions - like a Utah Flats / Phantom Canyon loop I see as adventures in themselves rather than side hikes off of a R2R2Rrrrrrrgh.

[Dave1]

As long as you throw Cheops on the list what about Isis?

Isis looks pretty difficult. It was first summited in just 2002 by Aaron Tomasi and Mark Aiken (Bruce Aiken's son???)

[nonot]

Nonot - is there a way up Cheops that doesn't require rope and protection?

I haven't been there Al, Butchart I believe climbed it from the north side without pro and said it was as tough as he wanted to do without a rope. Someone else reported the south side is easier. Both would seem pretty dicey to me.

Some of nonot's suggestions - like a Utah Flats / Phantom Canyon loop I see as adventures in themselves rather than side hikes off of a R2R2Rrrrrrrgh.

Like Al says, a loop like Utah/Phantom would be more than a side hike, but I think one could venture as far as say, Piano Alley and back, or go up Phantom a little ways and back if you're trying to kill some time.

[nonot]

As long as you throw Cheops on the list what about Isis?

Isis looks pretty difficult. It was first summited in just 2002 by Aaron Tomasi and Mark Aiken (Bruce Aiken's son???)

Not that you can believe everything on the internet, but according to this link:
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/dps/archives/dps02181.htm

it was apparently summited earlier than that.

[azbackpackr]

It was from Desert Peaks Section. I would trust their write-ups.

[azdesertfather]

Thanks everyone for the options so far to look into. Am not looking for really challenging stuff, a R2R2R is challenging enough. But different trips that we can do for up to 2-4 hours would be nice. Which are the most worth the time of the side trips mentioned, in your opinions? From Phantom Ranch and from the North Rim...

[maxpower]

Probably the easiest (effort-wise) from Phantom Ranch would be up the Clear Creek trail and back. You can get up to a spot below Zoroaster and have fine river views etc. Just hike until your watch says "enough" and then turn around.

[azdesertfather]

Thanks for all the recommendations...did several of these in the time I had!