Arizona
Hiking Grand Canyon from Rim to River: An Adventure to Phantom Ranch
Program No. 8144RJ
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Hiking Grand Canyon from Rim to River: An Adventure to Phantom Ranch
Hiking Grand Canyon from Rim to River: An Adventure to Phantom Ranch
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Participant Reviews
Based on 12 Reviews
SHOWING
Unfortunately, due to a pipeline break, we learned Phantom Ranch was closed our second day there. So, we were unable to spend two nights there. However, our excellent guides, Joel and Kyle did an amazing job with alternative plans! They are incredible. They were so knowledgeable, kind, inspiring considerate, organized and fun to be with! I definitely recommend this trip! Maybe wait until pipeline is replaced. Another thing, it is serious hiking. I trained hard before and have hiked the 102 mile Cotswold Way. We did 1.5 mile down S.Kaibab and I had great difficulty climbing back up. I just had a small daypack, but Kyle still had to wrangle that for me. I don't think I would have made it back up from Phantom Ranch with a full backpack! So, if you haven't hiked a lot in high elevation, this isn't for you! Trust me. I can hike very long distances, but difficult climbs with elevation are a whole different thing. Others did very well, but they had hiked in very high altitudes.
The Rim Trail (13 miles) was my favorite! RS offers other GC trips if this one doesn't match your ability.
— Review left May 3, 2024
Hiking from Rim to River is the perfect way to experience all the Grand Canyon has to offer. Road Scholar does an excellent job of making this experience possible for all who want to check this adventure off their bucket list.
— Review left April 24, 2023
This program was everything I had hoped for. Extraordinary leaders who shared their boundless knowledge and fostered camaraderie, laughter and a sense of adventure.
The hike was challenging, but I always felt supported by Lisa and Kristin and my fellow participants.
Follow the tips from Road Scholar on how to train for this adventure, and you will finish it with a wonderful sense of accomplishment!
Chris
Sedona, AZ
— Review left November 21, 2022
It was challenging physically but worth it all because of the participants and the majesty of the Grand Canyon,
— Review left November 20, 2022
Truly and outstanding experience.
The guides were first rate in focus on hydration, safety, knowledge (geology/botany), and getting to know the group. Very, very nice group that got along extremely well. The hike itself was unforgettable, and the scenery spectacular. The hiking schedule and preparation/instruction could not have been better. The food was great too.
The Grand Canyon hike to Phantom Ranch and back has been on my hiking bucket list for over 50 years, and it didn't disappoint!
Nice work, Road Scholar
Chuck from Washington State
— Review left March 20, 2020
Fantastic! If you can go on this trip do it! The arrangements, guiding and educational content were superb - and the adventure was outstanding. The preparatory phone call about two months before the program really helped me get ready for the hike. The hiking was well planned and paced. The cabin at Phantom Ranch was well equipped, comfortable and warm. The food there was great, especially since it all comes down on mules. (All of the food and accommodations were great, not just those at Phantom Ranch.)
— Review left March 4, 2020
This was a birthday challenge and an achievement for me. I missed my opportunity to do this hike in 2004 due to sickness and now I finally got my chance. Thanks to Road Scholar for offering this trip. I had two wonderful guides Norm and Slim. They were amazing. I had 6 other new friends with me on the journey. It was amazing to get to stay at Phantom Ranch for two nights and do some hikes down there. We had two astronomers on the trip who navigated the night sky for us. We were fortunate to get to stay in a Mary Coulter designed cabin and enjoyed both the beef stew and the NY strip steak.
We had ice the first 1 1/2 miles down on S. Kaibab and on Bright Angel Trail the last 1 1/2 miles up. Crampons did not work at all and we were ill prepared for the ice. Before the hike, I went to the general store and bought the only item they had for ice called Stabilicers which did work well on the ice. Any other hikers going to Grand Canyon in winter should go prepared with ice in mind. We needed layers and layers of clothes as we started in 11 degrees at the top and then it was about 40 degrees at the bottom. I had to buy better gloves and hand and feet warmers at the general store before we went down.
It was the hardest hike of my life, I am so glad I did it. I said it was harder than having a baby but after a week at home, I am thinking I could totally do it again. I did the same thing after having a baby. Short term memory loss is a good thing sometimes, thus two children.
Note to Grand Canyon officials, the condition of the South Kaibab trail was really terrible, such deep drop-offs of 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep. Difficult to manage for a 5'2'' gal. It needs lots of repair. It reminded me of how my home area treats potholes, it is very short-sighted repair if you just fill it up with dirt as the mules kick it right back out as they travel up and down the trail. I was told it needs to be filled with cobblestones and dirt and then tamped down.
— Review left February 17, 2020
Hiking the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch was a fantastic & unique trip! I truly enjoyed the physical challenge of the hiking as well as the lectures on the geology & history of the park. A great adventure that highly recommend!!
— Review left February 13, 2020
It was, as advertised, very challenging. I think, however, that the difficulty was adequately described. The call from Norm helped to know that our training was correct.
— Review left February 10, 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed our Road Scholar trip hiking down to Phantom Ranch. Having leaders who are familiar with the area and the hike itself, allowed us to relax and enjoy the challenge of the hike, and also the beauty of the canyon.
— Review left November 25, 2019
This trip exceeded our expectations! It was challenging (yet-doable), educational, and extraordinarily beautiful. Our guides Jeff and Ellen were fantastic leaders, wonderful individuals, and were incredibly knowledgable. I have wanted to do this trip for years, and Road Scholar made the experience better than it would have been if we had planned the trip on our own. I highly recommend it!
— Review left November 24, 2019
"Hiking Grand Canyon from Rim to River: An Adventure to Phantom Ranch" is a program that met its' stated goals both educationally and physically. Learning some of the various theory's about how the Grand Canyon came to be, is a staggering timeline when compared to the Earth's age. Physically, I trained long and hard for this program. Hence, I was able to enjoy the satisfaction of my surroundings, and the endurance it took to climb Corkscrew, Jacob's Ladder, and Heartbreak Hill. The leadership team was excellent! Overall, this was a rich experience I will always treasure!
— Review left February 9, 2019