Launch Date: June 29, 2011
We are planning on a “painless private” trip from one of the outfitters in Flagstaff, AZ. This means an outfitter will supply and pack everything we need for the trip. This allows us just to arrive in Flagstaff and have everything all set. I have quotes from all four outfitters that supply this type of trip and the price of the 16 day river trip including all river expenses is under $1000 per person. I’m pretty sure it won’t go over that unless something drastically changes. All the outfitters are within about $50 per person so I just need to see which one meets our needs the best.
• Beautiful, breathtaking, stunning, awe inspiring and… HOT!! Grand Canyon hot is serious hot. While the water in the river is, ummm, lets just say, a refreshing , icy, 40-something degrees (it comes from the bottom of the Glen Canyon Dam), the air temp can get up to 110 degrees in exposed parts of the canyon. Prepare for sun, sun, sun. This trip is strenuous, so be in good health, and in the best shape you can be. This is a working vacation, not a leisure one. Everyone will pull their weight. Camp duties will include cooking, packing, groover (toilet) duty, toting, basically anything that needs to be done.
- All group river equipment including 4 self bailing oar rigs. At this time we are not expected to have any paddle rafts as they can’t hold much equipment and since they are lighter, they flip easier than the oar rigs.
- Fabulous food. It is tradition to eat really well on the Canyon. Think thick steaks and French toast on layover days.
- Safety items, including satellite phone (emergencies only), Kitchen items, Toilet system, all NPS required equipment.
- National Park Service fees ($100 per person, half or full trip)
- Haulapai Reservation fees ($59 per person, full or second half of trip) (UPDATE: We are no longer taking out at Diamond Creek so we waive these fees.)
- Shuttle from Flagstaff to Lee’s Ferry (launch site) and from Diamond Creek (take out) to Flagstaff (UPDATE: We are now taking out at Pearce Ferry)
What doesn’t this include? Your personal gear and…
(UPDATE: Moenkopi Riverworks will provide PFD, sleeping pad, dry bag FREE of charge)- A Type 1, 3 or 5 PFD for the trip in excellent shape. Basically no rips or tears and the ranger MUST BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SEE THE TYPE 1, 3 OR 5 ON THE LABEL. From the private river boater blogs they are not letting people on the river unless their PFD is in perfect shape.
- Sleeping pad like a Paco pad/thermarest. Some folks recommend a cot as well due to the beaches being quite warm even after sunset.
- Large Dry bag to keep all your stuff dry on the river.
- PFDs, Paco Pads, and dry bags can be rented for a fee from the outfitter, just let me know.
- Motel in Flagstaff for night before rigging and day that we return. I’ll pick one and we will all stay there as a group. Certain motels allow us to park our cars for no charge while we are on the river so that will impact where we stay.
- Food while we aren’t on the river and for the night before launching at Lee’s Ferry.
- Transportation to/from Flagstaff and or Phantom Ranch if you’re doing a ½ trip.
What does the timeline of the trip look like?
- Monday, June 27, 2011: Everyone meets up in Flagstaff, AZ, spend night, last minute supply runs.
- Tuesday, June 28, 2011: Shuttle to Lee’s Ferry, rig boats, eat dinner in one of the lodges overlooking the Vermillion Cliffs, camp at the put-in.
- Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Launch Day!! Meet with NPS Ranger; push off for the adventure of a lifetime!
- July 5 or 6th: Arrive at Phantom Ranch, the exchange point for ½ trip folks. We will firm up this date later.
- Thursday, July 14, 2011: Arrive at Diamond Creek, shuttle back to Flagstaff, spend night in motel. (Don’t schedule return flights for this date as Diamond Creek is notorious for being an unpredictable takeout.) (UPDATE: take out is now Saturday July 16th)
- Friday, July 15, 2011: Head for home.
If you are considering a ½ trip and hiking in or out at Phantom there are a few things to consider.
- You will need to hike Bright Angel trail from the South Rim of Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch or visa versa. This is a 9.3 mile, extremely narrow trail dropping/gaining over a vertical mile of elevation. In the heat of summer, you need to be in shape and prepared to hike smart. Be aware that lodging at Phantom is very difficult to get and mules don’t take passengers one way, so hikers will be leaving very early in the morning in both directions. Please call Bill or I about this hike before you make any decisions.
- We will make arrangements for your gear so you won’t have to hike with it.
- Kiabab trail, another trail to Phantom, doesn’t have a water resupply it isn’t a viable option this time of year.
- Most of the costs for the trip are fixed so the price for a half trip will depend on if we have someone joining/leaving the trip to take your place. We will try to match ½ trip folks to the best of our ability, but if no one can match your ½ trip, the price may be a good percentage of the total trip.
I’m setting up a separate bank account for this trip that all money will be deposited into. Here’s the money details:
- Deposit of $100 per person due May 1, 2010, please let us know if you are planning on a full trip or half trip, and if half, which half, Lee’s to Phantom or Phantom to Diamond.
- $500 per person due Sept 1, 2010
- Balance of trip due Jan 15, 2011 (Update: Now Feb 15, 2011)
We need to secure non refundable spaces with the outfitters 6 months out, so I’d like everyone to be paid and committed by mid January. If Bill and I can find someone to replace anyone who needs to back out of the trip we will refund you, but if no one can replace you a lot of the expenses of the trip are fixed and non refundable so please, please, please don’t put us in an awkward position with refunds. You are all our friends and we want to keep it that way!
I will send out additional updates if/when I get them. This version covers most of the information I can think that you need. Be sure to let me know if you have questions.
We’re all goin to the GRAND CANYON! Woohoo!!!
Cheers,
Susan
