9 DAY GRAND CANYON OAR POWERED TRIP
SCHEDULED FOR_______ (Launch Date/Trip arrives at Phantom Ranch) __________
HOW TO GET THERE
You need to get to a place called SOUTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA.
Traveling by private vehicle
Look at an Arizona road map and locate I-40 running east and west across the northern 1/3 of the state. Note US180/AZ64 heading north from I-40. Take US180/AZ64 northbound and you arrive at the entrance station to the South Rim. Or locate US89 running north and south between Page, Arizona and Flagstaff, Arizona. Note AZ64 heading west off of US89. Take AZ64 westbound and you will reach the park entrance.
Traveling from home by air
Option 1 – Flight to South Rim: Book your flight to Las Vegas, Nevada to arrive between 8:00AM and 1:00PM on__ (the day before the launch date) __. After you have booked your flight to Vegas, contact Bar10 and book a flight for that same day departing from Las Vegas between 9:00AM and 2:15PM. Tell Bar10 that you want the 9:00AM, the 11:30AM or the 2:15AM flight (depending on what time you can get to Las Vegas) from Las Vegas over to the South Rim. Bar10 can be reached at 800-582-4139, or 435-628-4010, email reservations@bar10.com, fax 435-628-5124. Bar10 will provide you with information on connections at McCarran International for the flight to the South Rim. Pick up at McCarran and transportation from South Rim airport to Grand Canyon Village is included.
Option 2 – Land transportation to South Rim: Land shuttle service to South Rim from Las Vegas is available. Providers include: Grand Circle Tours, 928-645-6806 OR River Runners Shuttle Service, PO Box 61, Meadview, Arizona 86444. 928-564-2391, Fax 928-564-2781, email info@rrshuttleservice.com OR Larson Limo, 2068 Sutton Way, Henderson, Nevada, 89074, 702-456-4791. These land shuttle options are generally cost effective for groups of eight or more. Drive time is about 4 ½ hours.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN YOU GET THERE
You will need reservations at the South Rim for the night of _____ the day before the launch date _____. For these reservations, call Xanterra Parks & Resorts at 888-297-2757. Congenial reservationists on the other end of the line will be pleased to help you make arrangements for room(s) on the above mentioned date. Tell them that you would like lodging at – 1. Bright Angel Lodge or Cabins; 2. Thunderbird or Kachina; 3. El Tovar (for a touch of class); or 4. the Maswik.
While you are in contact with the reservationists and securing a room for the night, ask her/him also about the possibility of “In Bound Duffle Service”. This is your opportunity to secure arrangements to have all the stuff you are bringing for the river trip carried by mule down to the river. TRUST US! You probably don’t want to carry your gear down on your back. It is a walk of almost TEN MILES. The elevation loss is 5000 FEET. Think of your knees and your hips – not to mention your toes and ankles. For a modest charge of about $65.00 a sturdy and dependable mule will get your “duffle” (a bag with the dimensions of 36”X20”X13” and not weighing more than 30 pounds) safely down to Phantom Ranch where we will retrieve it for you.
Do not procrastinate in making these arrangements. There are a limited number of duffles per day.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET THERE
We will meet you at 6:00 PM in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge the evening prior to THE HIKE. At this meeting, we answer questions, help you get the stuff you need for morning (snacks, juice, water, etc) and designate the meeting place for early AM the morning of THE HIKE. General questions/concerns will be addressed, along with a brief overview of what to expect during the following 9 days.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF THE RIVER TRIP
The river trip will end at either Diamond Creek (river mile 226) or South Cove/Lake Mead. From Diamond Creek or South Cove, van/bus transportation is provided to take you back to Las Vegas, arrival time 2:00-3:00 PM.
For those driving private vehicles to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you need to pre-arrange a car shuttle service to take your vehicle around to the take-out. Providers include: River Runners Shuttle Service, PO Box 61, Meadview, Arizona 86444. Phone 928-564-2391, Fax 928-564-2781, email is info@rrshuttleservice.com OR Al’s Transportation, PO Box 2289, Page, Arizona, 86040, 928-645-3420, email atcherron@yahoo.com.
The listed services will deliver your vehicle to a pre-designated parking spot at South Cove or Diamond Creek. Most of the trips will take out at South Cove. We will let you know in advance if your trip will take out at Diamond Creek.
WHAT TO BRING
Pack your gear in a duffel bag.
Clothing
1-2 shorts 1 long pants 2-3 shirts
1 long sleeved shirt underwear/sox 1-2 swimsuits
Sarong 2 hats with tie strings bandanas
rain gear jacket or sweatshirt sandals & tennis shoes
thermals/wet suit booties (spring and fall trips)
Personal Items
toothbrush/toothpaste lip balm heavy moisturizing lotion
comb/brush soap/shampoo sunscreen
deodorant razor (optional) medications
female hygiene products water bottle/canteen sunglasses/eyeglass holder
towel camera book/journal/pens
Camping Gear
Sleeping bag/sheet Tent Pad/Ground Cloth
Small back pack Carabiner Flashlight/batteries
(Flashlights with red light mode are good)
Shorts/pants with pockets that close with Velcro or a zipper are good to have. Convertible pants (zip off legs) take the place of shorts & long pants.
A sarong or light weight cloth is handy to use for a cover up on the boat; provide some privacy while changing clothes in camp; and can be used for a sheet.
Shoes for hiking should provide support. Some hikes require stream crossings so your hiking shoes will get wet. During the day on the rafts, your feet can be wet for long periods so strap-on sandals are appropriate.
The best rain gear is pants and a jacket. Ponchos are not very effective and are very difficult to wear under a life jacket.
Some people prefer synthetics that are quick drying and some like the evaporative cooling of wet cotton. During the cooler months you will want quick-drying clothes and during the hottest months you may want to bring some cotton clothes.
There are many web sites that sell outdoor clothing. A couple of sites that we have found and like are sierratradingpost.com and usoutdoor.com.
The small backpack is used for storing rain gear and items you may want during the day. Line your daypack with a heavy weight garbage bag to keep contents dry. It is also handy for use on hikes.
A carabiner is an oval shaped metal ring with a one-way gate, and is useful to quickly fasten and unfasten your small daypack to the duffel load on the raft. You do not need expensive ones but they should be full size (about 4”X2”).
The only cash you will need will be for incidentals at the South Rim and guide gratuities (5%-8% of trip fare recommended). A credit card may prove handy for unforeseen emergencies. If you bring liquor, please transfer it to plastic bottles. You can preorder canned drinks with us and we will have them on the rafts when we meet you at Pipe Creek. You must make your drink order at least two weeks prior to your departure.
There are limited fishing opportunities. If you choose to bring a rod, make it a compact model. Catch and release (barbless hooks) apply. You will need to purchase a 5-day out of state fishing license at Marble Canyon Lodge if you want to fish during the river trip.
There is a place in McCarran International Airport called “24 Hour Fitness”. It is on the east end of the terminal on Level 2 (just above the baggage claim area). For $10/person, you can go there for a shower after your river trip.
THE RIVER BAGS FOR YOUR GEAR
Your clothes and sleeping bag will fit into two waterproof river bags we provide. Tents and pads will be packed into large communal waterproof bags each day. We will also provide a soft river bag for your day use items. The daypack you bring will be used for your rain gear, extra shoes and other items you will need during the day.
Soft “mini” bag Carabiner* River Bag
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Once you launch on the river, communications from or to the outside are very difficult. For emergency contact leave the following telephone numbers:
Moki Mac River Expeditions Main Office: (800) 284-7280 or (801) 268-6667
Moki Mac Arizona Warehouse: (928) 355-2504 or (928) 355-2285
National Park Service: (928) 638-7804 (Dispatch)
INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
We urge you to purchase vacation interruption insurance to protect you in case you must cancel your trip. Policy purchases may be time sensitive. Make early inquiries.
www.insuremytrip.com (comparative quotes)
www.travelsafe.com (888-885-7233) www.csatravelprotection.com (800-873-9855)
www.travelguard.com (800-826-4919) www.sevencorners.com (800-335-0611)
WEATHER
April/May: Average temperatures are in the high 70’s/low 90’s (22-33 C) during the day and the mid 50’s/60’s (10-16 C) at night. There may be rain showers.
June: Average temperatures are in the high 90’s/low 100’s (33-38 C) during the day and the low 70’s (22 C) at night. It is usually dry.
July/August: Average temperatures are in the high 90’s/low 100’s (33-38 C) during the day and mid to high 70’s (22-25 C) at night. Thundershowers are likely.
September/October: Average temperatures are in the mid 80’s/high 90’s (27-33 C) during the day and the mid 50’s/high 60’s (10-16 C) at night. There may be rain showers.
SUGGESTED READING
Grand Canyon River Guide, by Bill Belknap. Westwater Books, Evergreen, Colorado
(Waterproof map, great to have with you on the trip. We have these maps for sale through our office)
The Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons, by John Wesley Powell, Dover Publications, Inc., New York
The Kolb Brothers of the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Natural History Association
Lee’s Ferry, Desert River Crossing, by W.L. Rusho and C. Gregory Crampton, Cricket Productions, Salt Lake City
The Four Corners Anasazi, by Rose Houk. San Juan National Forest Association
The Fourth World of the Hopi, by Harold Courtlander, University of New Mexico Press
An Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology, by Michael Collier. The Grand Canyon Natural History Association
Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey. Ballantine Books, New York
Ghosts of Glen Canyon, by C. Gregory Crampton. Cricket Productions. Salt Lake City
Grand Canyon Wildflowers, by Arthur M. Phillips, III, Grand Canyon Natural History Association
Archaeology of the Grand Canyon: The Bright Angel Site, by Douglas Schwartz, Michael P. Marshall, Jane Kepp, School of American Research Press, Santa Fe
The River That Flows Uphill, by William H. Calvin, Sierra Club Books, California
Downcanyon: A Naturalist Explores the Colorado River Through Grand Canyon, by Ann Zwinger, The University of Arizona Press, Tucson
