This is a wonderful way to explore the Grand Canyon and get to stay at Phantom Ranch. This is no "walk in the park". One needs to be in good shape, and they remind you of that with a pre-trip call to check on your training. No joke. Everyone made it back up within an hour of the fastest person, so clearly everyone heeded the training advice. Besides hiking up and down the Canyon, there were a couple of optional hikes at the bottom. I chose the one to Ribbon Falls-- a beautiful spot not to be missed. We did have to tip-toe across a couple of stream crossing, with mixed results. What fun. This is certainly a trip with taking. However, I caution you that accommodations are quite simple, especially at Phantom Ranch where one stays in dormitory-style rooms. This was not my favorite thing, but the price of overnighting at the bottom. Just come with a good attitude and perhaps some flip-flops for the shower (1 for 10 of us). In sum, a trip worth making. And our guides were superb, as I've found on all by 8 RS trips to date.

I enjoyed every moment of this trip. The weather, guides, and RS travel mates were outstanding. It was a tremendously empowering hike for me, one that I will remember forever. Joanna and Michael were just wonderful guides.

Program #8144. The Classio Grand Canyon Challenge: Rim to River. I accepted this challenge March 2-7, 2013. From the rim, the Grand Canyon is beautiful. Actually being down in the grain of the canyon gave me a new sense of time - and of my abilities.

A life enriching experience that will stay with me forever.

There's a good reason this trip goes to wait list so quickly. Everything about this experience is top rate and has set the bar for all other Road Scholar programs I will attend. The leaders are knowledgeable and fun as they guide the group back through time in an amazing landscape. Phantom Ranch is the icing on the chocolate cake served at dinner along with other fresh foods. Training will make all the difference between just being a good tired to feeling exhausted and sore. Highly recommend the stair climbing with pack as was suggested to me by one of the leaders. I would do this trip again if there wasn't so many other adventures waiting.

Terrific program, great group, awesome guides ... just do it!

This trip was on mine and my wife's "Bucket List" and with the assistance of Roads Scholar it surpased our expectations. Hopefully we can continue to fill our bucket with other Road Scholar programs.

MY FIRST ADVENTURE WITH ROAD SCHOLAR AND DEFINITELY NOT MY LAST!! THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO HIKE INTO THE GRAND CANYON AND STAY 2 NIGHTS AT THE HISTORIC PHANTOM RANCH. A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE SHARED WITH WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDS.COMPLETING THIS HIKE IS VERY EMPOWERING AND WITH CATALOG IN HAND I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY NEXT EXPERIENCE ON THE ROAD!