Howdy Folks!  I've just secured permits for 10 people to join me on an incredibly difficult, yet awesomely rewarding backpack from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, all the way down to the mighty Colorado River with camping on Tapeats Creek!

This backpack is about 12.7 miles descending 5,200' (that's almost a mile in elevation change!!) ...  and 12.7 miles back up, ASCENDING a MILE in elevation!!! It is for the experienced and super-fit backpacker ONLY!

Here's the flowery description: "The trail to Thunder River Falls is one of the most strenuous hikes in Grand Canyon, requiring physical determination and advanced backcountry skills.  If you're rugged enough to handle the challenge, it's one of the park's most rewarding hikes, blending exceptional canyon scenery with access to several amazing sights: Tapeats Creek, Deer Creek Narrows, Deer Creek Falls, Thunder River and Thunder River Spring/Falls."

Wednesday 6/22, (travel day) arrive and camp on North Rim; Thursday 6/23, leave before dawn to hike 10.4 miles to Upper Tapeats campground; Friday 6/24, explore Deer Creek Narrows & Falls, break camp and backpack 2.3 miles to Lower Tapeats campground; Saturday 6/25, explore Colorado River and/or Thunder River/Springs/Falls break camp, backpack 2.3 miles to Upper Tapeats; Sunday 6/26 leave before dawn to backpack back to North Rim .. camp at North Rim; Monday 6/27 (travel day) drive home.

Weather: At the North Rim in June is 70's daytime and 40'sF at night. Camping in the inner canyon, down by the river ... 103F daytime and 70'sF evenings ... AWESOME!  However:  Hiking on the South Facing side of the Grand Canyon, temperatures can reach upwards of 110F in the sun.  We'll start hiking pre-dawn .. maybe take a noon-time shade break .. and finish the decent in the early evening .. we'll see what the weather requires.

Details:  The fee for this trip is $100 and includes backcountry permits for 11 for 3 nights at three campsites, and camping for 11 people at the rim the night before and the night after our backpack.  Registration/Waiver and payment will be required long before the trip. 

I'm initially offering this trip only on Gay Outdoors and to a few of my cool, gay hiking buddies ... However, if the trip does not fill up, I reserve the option to offer it to other buddies and buddettes from Sierra Club.

I'll try to help facilitate carpools tho this is not a service and cannot be mandated or expected.

From Los Angeles: 15 North (way past Vegas) to UT-9 East toward Hurricane, Turn Right onto US-89, to US-89 ALT, Turn Right onto AZ-67, Grand Canyon Hwy.  It's about 540 miles.