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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Lodge check-in available by 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This physically strenuous program involves elevation gains up to 4,500 feet (equivalent to 341 stories) carrying a 15 to 20-pound pack up to 9.5 miles. There will be a practice hike on Day 2 for the Group Leader to assess each person’s ability level. Failure to complete the practice hike satisfactorily will prohibit continued participation. If you have concerns about your ability to participate successfully in this program, please see alternative suggestions on the Road Scholar website for other programs that hike the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon winter hiking can be more challenging because of the chance of snow, ice, and cold. Feel free to bring your own ice-walkers. If needed, in-step crampons will be provided. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free Time” and “At Leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: At the Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall, we will have a group meal which will include an entree, salad, dessert and and non-alcoholic beverages; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Walking/hiking approx. 5 miles throughout the day: morning approx. 2 miles roundtrip; about 2 hours along rim, mostly flat paved trail. Practice hike is approx. 2 miles roundtrip; about 2 hours; steep, uneven, rocky trail; elevation change of roughly 2,000 feet, with packs. Attendance and performance, with all necessary gear, to Group Leader’s satisfaction is required for participation in subsequent hikes. Failure to satisfactorily complete practice hike will prohibit continued participation.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the Yavapai Dining Hall opens at 7:00 am, and you are free to walk down for breakfast on your own. You will present your meal voucher at the start of the serving line and choose which entrée and side items you would like as you move through the line. Supplemental items such as yogurt and fruit, as well as beverages, are then available at the end of the line.
Morning: After breakfast, we’ll gather with our Group Leaders for a discussion session that will cover gear packing techniques, "Leave No Trace" ethics, and hiking safety. IMPORTANT NOTE: In our morning discussion, we will cover the important topic of domestic/potable water availability and use at Phantom Ranch and how to come prepared for the possibility of restrictions which could be imposed at any time in the event of a potable water supply issue. Please read below in the SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM for a full discussion on this topic. Afterwards, we’ll join our Group Leader for a hike along the rim to acclimate to the elevation and prepare for our upcoming hike into the Canyon. Along the way, we’ll engage in a discussion of the area’s geologic and natural history.
Lunch: At the Maswik Lodge Food Court in Grand Canyon Village.
Afternoon: With our Group Leaders, we’ll set out on a practice hike down into the canyon with full packs. Descending over 1,000 feet into the canyon along the Bright Angel Trail, we’ll reach our turning point, and hike back up to the rim with minimal stops to rest. Along the way, we will see the historic Kolb Studio, several of Grand Canyon's uppermost rock layers, and we will continue our discussion of both the human and natural history of Grand Canyon. Upon reaching the top, we’ll have time for independent exploration of the historic Grand Canyon Village. Please note: The practice hike is important for the Group Leaders to assess everyone's ability to safely complete the hike. If you do not attend and complete the practice hike to the satisfaction of the Group Leader while carrying the weighted pack you will be carrying on subsequent hikes, you will NOT be allowed to hike to Phantom Ranch the next day.
Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions for you to explore.
Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for an early start in the morning.
Activity note: Use of park shuttle bus; riding approximately 3 miles on way; about 1/2 hour. Hiking approximately 7.5 miles throughout the day, with packs; between 6 and 8 hours; steep, uneven rocky trail; elevation decrease of roughly 4,800 feet.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the Yavapai Dining Hall opens at 7:00 am, and you are free to walk down for breakfast on your own. You will present your meal voucher at the start of the serving line and choose which entrée and side items you would like as you move through the line. Supplemental items such as yogurt and fruit, as well as beverages, are then available at the end of the line.
Morning: Once checked out of the lodge, we’ll board the park’s shuttle bus system and travel to the South Kaibab Trailhead, where we’ll begin the day's long but rewarding hike to Phantom Ranch, stopping periodically along the way to discuss geology, ecology, and human history. Our first major stop will be Ooh Aah Point—you'll see why it bears that name when we get there! We'll encounter the first of the two restrooms along our hike to Phantom Ranch a little farther down the trail at Cedar Ridge. Afterwards, we’ll continue down past Skeleton Point and navigate the seemingly endless switchbacks through the imposing Redwall Limestone (a geologic rock layer which forms one of the most prominent sheer cliffs within the canyon) to our lunch location at Tipoff, near the Tonto Trail junction. Tipoff features a shade structure and the second restroom along the South Kaibab Trail.
Lunch: At the shade structure at Tipoff, we will have sack lunches including a sandwich, chips, and fruit.
Afternoon: From our lunch stop, we will begin our steep descent into the canyon's Inner Gorge to the Black Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River to Phantom Ranch. Upon our arrival, we will check into our cabin.
Dinner: At Phantom Ranch, we will all gather inside the Canteen dining room at our designated meal time for a plated dinner.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Two possible hikes, each between 2 and 3 miles; between 2 and 3 hours, with day pack; steep, uneven, rocky trail; elevation change of between 200 and 1,000 feet depending on hike chosen.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be served inside the Phantom Ranch Canteen dining room.
Morning: Take the relaxing layover day in the depths of the canyon at Phantom Ranch to enjoy as you wish. For those who want to join, our Group Leaders will set out on two different elective hikes depending on group interest: the "Bridge-to-Bridge Loop" and the Clear Creek Trail to Phantom Overlook or beyond. Alternatively, you may wish to spend some time by yourself to absorb being at the bottom of the Grand Canyon by sitting along Bright Angel Creek, walking down to the Colorado River, taking photographs, or just relaxing.
Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail, by the creek, or wherever else you may choose.
Afternoon: Free time. This time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions. You may wish to hike part way up the North Kaibab Trail or just kick back and enjoy the experience of being at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, one of the world's true natural wonders.
Dinner: At Phantom Ranch, we will all gather inside the Canteen dining room at our designated meal time for a plated dinner.
Evening: After dinner, we’ll have a short group meeting to discuss the logistics of the hike up the following morning. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and hiking transfer back up to the canyon rim in the morning.
Activity note: Hiking approximately 9.5 miles throughout the day, with packs; between 6 and 9 hours; steep inclines uphill, uneven and rocky trail; elevation increase of roughly 4,500 feet.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be served inside the Phantom Ranch Canteen dining room.
Morning: Upon check-out from Phantom Ranch, we’ll gear up and hit the trail with our Group Leaders to begin the big climb up to the rim. The hike will last throughout the day and will climb about 4,500 feet over 9.5 miles. We’ll start by crossing the Silver Bridge and hike on the River Trail, built by the CCC. At the mouth of Pipe Creek and River Rest House, we’ll start up the Bright Angel Trail following Pipe Creek. We'll soon leave the creek to continue up Devil's Corkscrew, rejoining the creek at the top before entering the spectacular and lush Tapeats Narrows. Upon reaching the Tonto Platform at the top of the Tapeats Narrows, the midpoint of our climb at beautiful Havasupai Gardens comes into view.
Lunch: Sack lunches along the trail at Havasupai Gardens.
Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll continue our ascent up the Bright Angel Trail, climbing Jacob's Ladder to the top of the Redwall cliff and the 3-Mile Resthouse. Don't forget to glance up at the sky for a possible condor sighting, and back towards the Inner Gorge for a perspective on how far we have come. As we get closer to the rim, we’ll feel the sense of accomplishment grow until we finally reach the top. Upon arrival, we’ll check back in to the lodge and enjoy some time to relax and freshen up with a well-deserved shower before boarding the van for a short drive to dinner.
Dinner: At a nearby restaurant, we'll enjoy plated meals for our celebratory dinner with an entrée and side, plus a choice of coffee, tea, or water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: Once back at the lodge with our Group Leaders, we will have a program wrap-up and reflect on our experiences. Share some of your favorite experiences and accomplishments from the program with new Road Scholar friends. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Activity note: Lodge check-out by 11:00 a.m. Road Scholar vehicle departs for Flagstaff at 7:15 am to connect with the 9:30 am Flagstaff to Phoenix Airport Groome Shuttle. Grand Canyon to Flagstaff; 84 miles.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the Yavapai Dining Hall opens at 7:00 am, and you are free to walk down for breakfast on your own. You will present your meal voucher at the start of the serving line and choose which entrée and side items you would like as you move through the line. Supplemental items such as yogurt and fruit, as well as beverages, are then available at the end of the line.
Morning: Program concludes after breakfast. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!