WHAT TO BRING:

April and May are a great month of the year to visit Grand Canyon as the temperatures inside the Canyon are fantastic. While the North Rim still has hints of winter and can even have winter storms, the inside of the Canyon is at its prime.

There is a fine line between Spring and Winter on the North Rim at this time of year. You will have to understand the Layering System and be prepared with GOOD traction Hiking Boots. We encourage you to consider bringing a pair of Hiking Crampons just in case we encounter ICE on the Bill Hall Trail. While it may be unlikely, we will be at 8,000 ft at the rim of the canyon and spring weather can be often unpredictable with snow storms in this high of elevation. The trail is very steep in this section and will require extra care if conditions become slick. While it is not required, it may come in use if weather dictates. If you think you will continue to hike on ice or snow further down the rim, another option but more expensive are the Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction  

We will only be in the high elevation for a half of day going down, and half a day going up. 

Personal Clothing:

 Hiking boots – Need to be well broken in!! This is not the route to "test out" your new trail runners or boots.  Mid-weight boots with ankle support are best for this route. 
 Sport sandals – consider Keen®, Teva® or Chaco® brands. These are for camp comfort as well as fording through strong currents/water. 
 Lightweight long pants/trousers – for sun protection and warmth during cooler parts of the day (the best long pants are the one’s that zip at the knee to make them shorts). Lightweight shorts can also be brought as backup for hiking in the canyon, swimming or lounging at Deer Creek.
 1 bathing suit  Optional. We will be spending a rest day in and around water pools/waterfalls in the lower canyon near/at the Colorado River. 
 2 pair of Underwear – Men’s – Women’s
 2 tee shirts – Women’s *1 cotton is great for warm weather hiking in heat, and 1 nylon/synthetic is best for chillier temps/rim hiking *This is the only time cotton is good for hot desert hiking where water is found. 
 2 pairs of hiking socks – consider Smartwool®, Fox River® or similar. NO cotton socks! Synthetic or wool is best.
 Lightweight jacket or sweater –  for warmth. Fleece or down is excellent and lightweight! Expect temps to drastically fall at night. Could reasonably get down to 35 degrees or lower. OR Puffy Jacket.
 Rain shell – lightweight & breathable Men’s – Women’s

 Smartwood or Merino Wool base layer for overnight sleep wear

 Wide brim hat - Baseball hats are discouraged unless you partnering this with a buff - the back of your neck needs to be protected.
 Sunglasses - Optional, yet encouraged

Spring/Fall/Winter (Mid October to April):

Spring, fall and winter temperatures vary greatly from day to night and from sun to shade. The day time temperatures can be warm with the night temperatures dropping near or below freezing. It’s best to be prepared for both warm days and cool nights. Dressing in layers is the key to warmth and comfort. Actual temps in the Grand Canyon will feel much warmer and chillier than number indicates. 

 **Warm hat or beanie & gloves (gloves are optional)
 **Down jacket or additional fleece (see above)
 **1 long sleeve synthetic or wool shirt – baselayer insulation (midweight)

Personal Items:

 Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
 A small packet of toilet paper and trowel. We will expect that you practice LNT as required by regulation. There will be two available pit toilets in route (Upper Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek). Do not anticipate these to be stocked with TP. Solid waste can be buried in a proper cathole, though ALL toilet paper MUST be packed out with you (or appropriate items only can then be disposed of at the pit toilets where available). 
 Sunblock cream (SPF 30 or higher)
 First Aid and Personal medication (ibuprofen, antihistamine, antacid, burn cream, blister care etc). If you suffer from severe allergic reactions, it is highly encourage to bring an Epi Pen due to scorpion and bee activity in the canyon. Please also bring a whistle that you can keep on your person at all times. 

Mandatory Gear:

 At least a 65 Liter Backpack (this is to ensure enough capability for water storage caching into the canyon)
 Capacity to carry 7-8 liters of water (we recommend a 3 liter hydration pack for ease of sipping plus (2) one liter water bottle). All cached water will NEED to be in durable hard-shell Nalgene-type water bottles for caching on our first day. 
 Headlamp 
 30 Degree Down Sleeping Bag. Synthetic is okay though discouraged due to being a little heavier. 

 Sleeping Pad
 Lightweight Tent - Free standing tents are encourages as long as they are lightweight, though not required. The Esplanade (camp 2-nights) will offer slight challenges to non-free standing tents due to the terrain being mostly rock and protected soil. Though use of rocks rather than stakes or "cowboy camping" alternative set ups are an option. 
 Hiking Poles
 Stove and Cookware
 Water Filtration

 Rodent Proof food storage bag / optional short rope (for appropriate tie off to bush) - Food storage must have interlocking steel wire mesh lining. Outsak, Ratsak and Ursack are examples of this. You will likely encounter rodents/mammals such as mice, rock squirrels, chipmunks and ringtails at our campsites. All food and items with a scent must be secured in this sack. 

Additional Items:

 Camera and re-chargeable use for all electronic devices - you will likely take A LOT of photos on this trip be prepared! 
 Lip balm and Sunscreen
 Bandana or Buff - Good to use as a cloth. Alternatively keep sweat out of your eyes, use as neck protection or dip in water to cool off)
 Knee brace (if you have known knee concerns, a lightweight knee support is encouraged to further protect from impact on this route)

Fires are not permitted in the canyon, therefore products to enhance fire starting is not necessary. 

We will provide the rope needed for proper packs-off assistance as indicated in the trail itinerary. 

We will have one-on-one GEAR calls with each of you and then additionally performing a FINAL physical pack shake down in person before the trip begins. You are encouraged to continue to discuss gear questions with us prior to, as needed. 

Food prep for the backpacking only portion of this trip should include the need for 5 breakfasts/ 6 lunches and enough snacks for full 6 days/ 5 dinners. Please reference Trip Itinerary details to assist in planning accordingly.  You will be camping at available water sources for 3 of the 5 nights. Please also plan for a sufficient yet easy to prep breakfast on Day 1 (we will be leaving the lodge, with approximately a 1.5hr drive to the TH). 

Water:

In warm months each hiker should carry and drink about a gallon (4 liters) of water per day. Watch your "ins and outs". Drink enough so that urine frequency, clarity, and volume are normal. You are not drinking enough water if your urine is dark, small in quantity, or non-existent in the course of a day's hiking. In addition, eating adequate amounts of food will help you replace the electrolytes (salts) that you are sweating.

Starting our hike, DAY 1: Beginning at the trail head, we will have 7.5 Liters of water in our packs.
3 Liters to cook and drink with to our campsite that night. 2 Liters to cache for the hike back up on Friday (Day 6).  2 Liters of water for the following days hike to Thunder River. And at least 2 bottles of water (.5 Liters) tucked into pack. We have water sources at Tapeats Creek, Colorado River, Deer Creek. 

By mid-April, winter weather usually begins to break, and although snow is not uncommon in May, warm spells become more frequent. The winter cold gives way to a warming and pleasant spring period with average high temperatures gradually rising from the 50s and 60s (10-21°C) in April through the 70s to 80s (21-32°C) by June along the Rim, and from the 80s (27-32°C) in April to near 105 (41°C) by June along the river. Low temperatures will typically fall below freezing on the Rim in April and May and warm into the 40s (4-9°C) by June, with low temperatures from the 50s (10-15°C) in April to the 70s (21-26°C) by June along the river. Spring is typically breezy to windy with winds occasionally gusting over 40 mph (18 m/s) and dry with little precipitation occurring in May and early June. Due to the very dry airmass typical of the late spring months, late season frosts and freezes are still a possibility, with sub freezing temperatures being recorded as late as July at the North Rim. Snowfall has been reported as late as the middle of June.

Average Temperatures in the Inner Canyon

Average Temperatures at the North Rim

Phone Numbers:

North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest at 928-643-7395.
Grand Canyon National Park (928) 638-7888
Backcountry Information Center: (928) 638-7875 between 1 pm and 5 pm Monday through Friday

There are some area's of our route that will require you to remove your pack and rope it down with the assistance of Scott & Ariane. There are 2 technical sections that are not hard, but will take time. Patience is the key as we will average 1 mile per hour most of our trip. 

We will be meeting at Jacobs Lake Lodge

For those Flying in and Renting a car. 

You may want to make sure you car has 4 wheel drive and can handle a Forest Road. Most of these roads are good, but in wet weather can be muddy. 

The best Airport with the best prices will be Phoenix AZ. We found it to be the best place to rent a car also. 

CAR RENTAL RESERVATION NUMBER
L7244235 Dollar Rental
866-434-2226
Quoted 353.99
15% added if debit card

We will be staying here for 14 days: GPS: 36.734933, -112.199533
Elevation: 7694' 

The best Flagstaff Hotel we found was: 

Best Western Pony Soldier
3030 East Route 66
Flagstaff (Arizona), AZ 86004
(928) 526-2388

Best Supplies for Backpacking Gear including Food is:

REI Address: 323 S Windsor Ln, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone: (928) 213-1914

Camping:

There is the Kaibab National Forest that has plenty of open Camping. for those who are coming in a RV or Van

PHONE: (928) 643-7232

EMAIL: jacob@jacoblake.com

ADDRESS

HWY 89A & AZ-67
Jacob Lake, AZ 86022

​BUSINESS HOURS

Mon-Sun 7:30am - 9:00pm

Buses and Group Reservations

Please call (928) 643-7232

​