Going to grand Canyon for 2 nights in the next week. I have a shuttle.

What trailheads and route do you recommend? I've done Tanner before.

Down New Hance, across the Tonto, out South Kaibab.

Gotta admit, I'd never want to do New Hance to South Kaibab with 2 nights; that's a 5-nighter in my book. New Hance to Grandview is doable; camp at Hance rapids and Hance Creek.

You could circumvent Horseshoe Mesa. At large camping at Cottonwood Creek and second night on the Mesa or Hance Creek. You'd probably have the place to yourself. Trailhead would be Grandview.

Or down South Kaibab and then explore Phantom Creek via Utah Flats route. Second night at Bright Angel campground. I hear Phantom Ranch is a fun place to be this week.

1st night > Kaibab Trail down to Phantom Ranch (start early)

2nd night > Bright Angel Trail up to Indian Gardens

3rd day > Indian Gardens back up to parking lot.

What about the mule dung on the bright angel trail? Is it a significant turn off for a backpacking experience?

On the BA Trail you will have lots of mule p**p & pee. I've only done it in the spring and early summer and in some areas it was heavy and kinda gross and the flies were terrible. Flies probably won't be a problem now and the dung is probably less as I doubt they are running as many mules in the winter. You might need some crampons, but you rent those there at the BA lodge.

1. Least rugged, most well-worn: South Kaibab/Bright Angel loop (see post on mule p**p).

2. Medium-rugged: Boucher-Hermit loop (first night at Boucher Rapids; second day, hike the Tonto Trail to Hermit and camp there)

3. Most-rugged/most solitude: New Hance-Grandview. Note New Hance Trail is not maintained; you must be comfortable with occasionally having to look for cairns marking the route, or scooting down a couple of boulders on your butt. It's still Class 1/a little Class 2 and no exposure. But I would not take a newbie down it.

#2 and #3 are equally gorgeous. I'd choose #3 if I want solitude, but if it's beyond the abilities of anyone in the group I'd choose #2. If you have any true newbies, they will feel a lot more comfortable with #1.

- Elizabeth

>> What about the mule dung on the bright angel trail? Is it a significant turn off for a backpacking experience?

The mule trains now go down BA trail and come up South Kaibab, so it's impossible to avoid on the South Rim corridor trails. But the trains are half the size as they used to be and it's only in one direction on each trail. It's the smell that bothers me but it doesn't seem to bother everyone.

Boucher has some stretches of significant exposure (before Yuma Point) that I would be wary of if there is snow or ice.

Bright Angel Trail - Tonto - Horn Creek - Salt Creek Camp
Salt Creek - Monument Creek - Hermit Creek Camp (or Hermit Rapid)
Hermit Creek Camp - out Hermit or vica versa

-christy

New Hance and out Grandview is a dayhike.

;)

The Boucher/Hermit Creek Loop is nice. Boucher is pretty steep, tho. You will have aircraft flying overhead (unlike the no-fly zone over corridor trails).

Another possibility is Hermit Rest to Bright Angel TH. 1st night @ Monument Creek. 2nd night @ Indian Gardens. 3 day, hike out.

I've hiked down Hermit Trail in early March. Not much snow & no ice when I did it. That trail gets a lot of sun, unlike the top of Bright Angel or S. Kaibab.

>> New Hance and out Grandview is a dayhike. ;)

Ah but then you'd never know if you can hike Hance Creek to the river... or Cottonwood Creek. Missing out on the best stuff! :)

What about the mule dung on the bright angel trail? Is it a significant turn off for a backpacking experience?

Going up you really don't notice, it's more about keeping your pace. Going down could be a problem if you don't watch your step. Not a good place to do a face plant.

Probably an early day down to Horseshoe Mesa to explore. Your last day will be mostly vertical .....up

Assuming you can get permits of course.