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Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Oct 31 2010 9:26 pm
by 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!
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Oct 31 2010 9:36 pm
by 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...
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Oct 31 2010 9:44 pm
by 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.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Oct 31 2010 9:46 pm
by 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
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 9:36 am
by Al_HikesAZ
In addition to Clear Creek and Phantom Canyon, there's Ribbon Falls and Upper Ribbon Falls.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 8:08 pm
by 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
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 8:57 pm
by 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.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 10:20 pm
by Dave1
Al_HikesAZ wrote:
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???)
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 11:27 pm
by nonot
Al_HikesAZ wrote: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.
Al_HikesAZ wrote: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.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 01 2010 11:35 pm
by nonot
Dave1 wrote:Al_HikesAZ wrote:
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.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 02 2010 9:41 am
by azbackpackr
It was from Desert Peaks Section. I would trust their write-ups.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 02 2010 9:30 pm
by 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...
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 03 2010 7:37 am
by 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.
Re: Rim-to-Rim side hikes
Posted: Nov 12 2010 5:05 pm
by azdesertfather
Thanks for all the recommendations...did several of these in the time I had!