Backpack

You will need to pack all of your personal gear into an internal frame hiking backpack. The pack should have a hip belt and a sternum strap and should be as small as possible. Many people use a 35-liter pack (or smaller); it should not exceed 44 liters.

Hiking backpacks are highly adjustable; make sure yours is fitted properly before using it. When you are packing for your hike, make sure your food and water are easy to access. Load your lightest gear at the bottom of the pack, your heaviest gear next to your back and centered in the pack, and your medium-weight gear toward the top and outside of the pack.

The Hike In

Meet at the Bright Angel Lodge lobby at 5:45 a.m. ready for your hike with all of your gear packed into your backpack. Be sure to purchase breakfast and snacks the day before as no stores/restaurants are open this early. We will provide lunch when you reach the river. In the lobby, our hiking guide will be checking you in and providing a hike orientation before leading you to the trail. Please do not go to the trailhead on your own. We find the best combination for carrying water is a hydration bladder and a oneliter bottle used to mix electrolyte drinks; make sure to have two liters (64 oz) capacity total. There are rest houses where you can refill water and use the restrooms. It is recommended to refill at every water station.

Your hiking guide will be on the trail behind the group but will not expect everyone to hike together. If you need assistance, wait on the trail for the hiking guide to catch up to you. If you hike faster than the guide, they will assume you are doing well.

**The entire group’s river trip itinerary is dependent on everyone maintaining an appropriate pace on this hike in. If the hiking guide deems that you are not able to safely complete this hike in 4-6 hours, you may be turned around on the trail and will forfeit your river trip.

The Trail

You will hike the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim to Pipe Creek Beach – a distance of about 8 miles with an elevation loss of 4,400 vertical feet. The hike in averages a steep 10% grade and takes the physically fit and prepared hiker 4-6 hours. The trail is very long and ALL DOWNHILL. There is little shade, the weather is normally extremely hot and dry, and it gets hotter as you hike into the canyon making this hike even more strenuous.

When you encounter pack mules on the trail, make sure to step off the trail on the uphill side away from the edge and listen for commands from the wrangler. There are a few intersecting trails, so be alert as you hike.

As you near Pipe Creek Beach, you will see a restroom which indicates that you are very near our rafts. From the restroom, head straight down to the river and look around for our guides and rafts.

Do not continue to hike along the river to Phantom Ranch!

Training

It is very important that you exercise regularly and train for this mandatory hike. We have provided a custom training plan for the months leading up to your trip. Do not underestimate the rigorous nature of this hike. Many people assume this hike will be easy because it is all downhill, but this is a mistake. The constant downhill is very difficult because it is so unusual for your body and hard on your joints, and it is made even more difficult with the weight of your backpack. Activities such as cycling or swimming, while great for cardiovascular endurance, do not adequately prepare you for the strain of pounding downhill on your feet all day. There is no substitute for hiking; the best way to train is to do practice hikes of similar length and elevation change with a weighted backpack and in the footwear you’ll be using for the hike. Clip your toenails so they don’t rub against your shoes as you hike downhill. Hiking poles are great to have and can take some stress off your legs. Even if you’ve never used poles, we suggest getting them for the hike. They are easily stored on the rafts. Depending on how prepared you are, your hike can be an accomplishment to start off your river trip or a challenging ordeal. The difference between a great adventure and a trip to the hospital is up to you!

Hiking Tips

Please print this map and bring it with you. Additional tips from the Grand Canyon National Park Service can be found here.

EAT OFTEN & STAY HYDRATED – Eat more than you normally do, ensuring you eat before, during, and after your hike. No matter what the temperature, you need water and energy to keep going. Every hour hiking in the canyon can be likened to the physiological equivalent of shoveling wet sand. You need to eat about twice as much as you normally would to meet your energy needs while hiking in the heat of the Grand Canyon. Your best defense against illness and exhaustion is eating breakfast, consuming salty snacks, and alternating drinking water and electrolyte drinks throughout your hike.

STAY WET & COOL – Whenever you are near water, make sure you get your head and shirt wet to cool down. A wet bandana or sarong on the back of your neck can help lower your body temperature.

DO NOT HUFF & PUFF – Walking at a pace that allows you to walk and talk means that your legs and your body are getting the oxygen needed to function efficiently. At times it may seem like you are walking too slow (sometimes even baby-sized steps when the trail is steep), but your energy reserves will last longer. Take breaks and enjoy the view!

The packing list was created from decades of Grand Canyon rafting experience to cover varying weather conditions, please follow it (even a fleece in summer!). It is better to have and not need, than need and not have. For those of you flying to the area, we suggest carrying absolute river necessities in a carry-on bag. It is tough to get things together if your luggage is lost by the airline.

Note: It is very important to keep your weight to a minimum to make the hike less difficult. You must limit your gear to 25 lbs or less. Find many of these items in our online store and checkout our blog for more insider info.

What We Provide

• Custom-made rafts and experienced guides
• Coast Guard-approved whitewater personal flotation device (PFD)
• All meals prepared by guides and snacks throughout the day
• Kitchen facilities, dishware, and a mug for each person
• Camping toilet facilities, toilet paper, and supplies
• Unlimited drinking water, assorted soda, and electrolyte mix are always available
• Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available at breakfast only
• First-aid kit
• Sleeping bag, sheet, and small pillow
• Sleeping cot
• Two-person tent and ground tarp, sharing not required
• Large dry bag (accessible only in camp) for the provided sleeping gear and your duffel bag
• Personal daytime dry bag (accessible at all times) – 7” diameter and 14” tall when sealed
• Camp chairs
• Community dry bag for hiking shoes (accessible before side hikes)

MORNING

As the sun peeks over the canyon walls, you’ll hear a guide call “Coffee!” That’s your cue to head to the kitchen and grab a cup of joe and get ready for the day. A short while later, guides will call you to breakfast. Breakfast menus include traditional favorites such as made-to-order omelets, pancakes, French toast, sausage, and bacon. After breakfast, quickly finish packing up your campsite and personal gear and bring your bags to the rafts.

Once the guides have packed up the kitchen, everyone helps reload all the gear. Then you are off for a day of adventure on the mighty Colorado River!

ON THE RIVER

As you start down the river, the serenity and beauty of the canyon capture you and the excitement builds as you anticipate running the first rapid of the day. Rain gear is a good idea for early morning rafting. Your day consists of running rapids, listening to canyon interpretation from your guides, and stopping for exploration of side canyons. Each guide has unique stories to tell about the canyon so make sure to switch rafts during your trip. Lunch is typically a quality deli spread. After lunch, the afternoon is filled with more rapids and spectacular scenery. You may take a hike, or sometimes two, as there are many incredible places to enjoy in the canyon. Hikes are to a variety of destinations: a beautiful vista, a stream or waterfall, an archaeological site, or a sandy beach to toss a Frisbee and enjoy some leisure time.

IN CAMP

In the late afternoon, you pull into camp and the rafts are unloaded by the group “duffel line”. Then you find your camp spot for the night – all camping gear is provided. You can set up a tent or sleep in the open air. The guides hustle to set up the kitchen and an important part of camp, the scenic bathroom area. Once your campsite is set up, enjoy sitting by the river or wander over to the kitchen for appetizers. Camp chairs are set near the kitchen area, so guests can chat and watch the river guides do their magic. Soon a fresh and delicious riverside meal will be ready for your dining pleasure! Dinner menus include hearty options such as grilled chicken, steak, and fajitas with fresh salads, side dishes and desserts.

As the day winds down, sit and watch a beautiful sunset, reflect on the day, or join in a conversation with other guests. At the end of the evening, head to your campsite for a restful sleep under a canopy of brilliant stars.

Please note: There is no exact itinerary of all the side hikes and camps that you’ll visit. Know that things are always changing. Many factors go into the guides’ decisions and can greatly impact what a normal day looks like including other groups, guest abilities, extreme conditions, and inclement weather.

Guests are sometimes surprised at how physical a river trip can be, but commonly say it was the best trip they’ve ever done. To help you prepare for your experience, here are some of the basic physical activities that are inherent to all of our Grand Canyon rafting trips.

Please remember, all guests must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the Essential Eligibility Criteria. There are many different trip types and factors that can make your experience more physically demanding. Keep in mind any factors such as medical and mental conditions, weight, age, lack of conditioning, dietary restrictions, addictions, allergies, and any other factors that might make your experience more difficult and/or dangerous to yourself or others. One of our primary goals is to run river trips as safely as possible. As this is a whitewater trip, you need to be able to be an active participant in your own rescue in case you end up in the river. It often surprises guests that most river trip injuries happen on land. Take your time, watch your step, ask for help if you need it, and don’t go beyond your limits. If you have any questions regarding physical ability please contact us.

River trips are awe-inspiring, fun, physical and a great way to challenge yourself. The thing to remember is, this is an adventure! The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.

See you on the river!

Note: These are basic physical fitness tips for all of our trips. Guests on any trip that requires a hike in or out of the canyon or our Hiker’s Special trips need additional conditioning/training.

Getting On/Off the Rafts

Many times each day, you’ll get on and off the rafts. This can be a challenging maneuver on both our motorized and oar-powered rafts. The rafts are roughly a 2-foot step up and can be slippery and moving; the ground will likely be uneven, sandy, and slippery. Once you’re on the raft, you’ll maneuver to your seat which could be over and around tubes, boxes, or other passengers.

Hold on During Rapids

The rafts will have straps in multiple locations to grip as you are going downriver. It’s important you find two handholds that will allow you to hold yourself in place and not be pitched one way or another. Pay attention to the guides’ instructions and keep your hand and feet out of pinch points on the rafts.

Move About Steep Sandy/Rocky Beaches with Your Bags

The beaches in Grand Canyon vary greatly. Many are sandy, some have steep banks you must ascend to get to the camping area, some are covered with slippery river rock. These beaches will be your home each evening so you can expect to be walking about them often.

Participate in Duffel Shuffle

We rely on you to participate in the duffel shuffle each morning and evening when we arrive at our camping area. The guides depend on the group’s assistance to load/unload all guests’ bags, sleeping gear, and equipment. Some items are very heavy, like five-gallon buckets of water and propane tanks. All of that work is worth it once you’re settled in and enjoying

Set Up Tent and Sleeping Area

After the rafts have been unloaded, your job is to find your bags and take them to your chosen sleeping area and set up your space. The guides will give an orientation on how to set up the camp gear and then it’s up to you.

Pee Into the River

During the day all urine must go directly into the river, there are no toilets. This can be a very challenging aspect of the trip for some. Some people choose to wade into the river and others choose to squat at the river’s edge where there is very limited privacy.

Walk to the Toilet

While in camp, the guides will set up a camp toilet. Even with the toilet set up, peeing into the river or in our provided pee buckets is still encouraged. The toilet is often set well away from camp. The route to the toilet will likely be uneven, sandy, rocky, or brushy. It is recommended to scout your route to the toilet in the daylight.

Stay in an Outdoor Setting

This is a wilderness adventure! The weather, outdoor environment, and remote setting can bring their own set of challenges. You can expect to be exposed to prolonged sun, heat, cold, wind, rain, cold water, thunderstorms, and other weather-induced events. The Arizona sun can be intense. People often find they need to wear more sunscreen, cover-up, drink more water and eat more food and snacks in the canyon than they would at home.

Optional Side Hikes

Every trip provides the opportunity for hiking in side canyons along the river. These side hikes are optional and a unique part of a river trip. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. Some hikes may require moves that may feel more like rock scrambling than hiking and others may be short walks up a streambed. The more you prepare physically, the more you’ll be able to explore while on your trip.

Please note that some of our trip types do have a required strenuous 8 mile hike in or out of the canyon. Physical preparation is the key to a successful hike on these partial canyon trips.

Cameras/Phones

There is no WiFi or cell phone reception in the canyon. If you plan on using your phone as a camera, backup your data before you go and make sure you have lots of memory available. Put your phone in airplane/low power mode to save battery while on the trip. If you are using a camera and can bring additional memory and batteries, be sure to do so. GCW provides a community charger that has limited ports and is shared by all guests, so please use it sparingly. Bring your USB or wall plug-in cord to use this charger. You can also bring a portable charger for personal use, but we can’t recharge it with the community charger as it drains power too quickly. Securing a strap to your camera/phone is very helpful. A waterproof case doesn’t do any good if your camera or phone ends up at the bottom of the river. We recommend keeping your camera in a case even while in the provided dry bag (7” x 14” sealed). We have found that the fine Grand Canyon sand is as much of a danger to your camera as the water. Drones are prohibited per National Park Service rules.

Most personal homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover lost or damaged cameras on your river trip. If you bring items of value, it is your responsibility to provide your own insurance coverage. Grand Canyon Whitewater is not responsible for damage to or loss of personal items during river trips.

Beverages

We provide coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at breakfast. Water, electrolyte mix, and a variety of diet and regular soda are always available. If you only drink a certain brand (preferred soda, fruit juices, mixers, tonic, etc.), you may want to bring an additional supply as some choices run out. Since drinking water is not chilled, we recommend that you bring a hard plastic Nalgene-style water bottle so you can chill the water in the river. Insulated water bottles do not allow you to do this.

We do not supply alcoholic beverages, but you can bring your own. For info on how to get your booze on the trip, check out our blog. All beer must be in cans, not glass. Wine should be in boxes. Liquor in a glass bottle is acceptable, but plastic is preferred. Wine and liquor will be stowed by guides during the day and available in the evenings. Beer will be kept cool by the river and available during the day. Ice may be available in the evenings for cocktails.

Fishing

Whether you are an amateur or avid fisherman, casting a line out into the mighty Colorado is a fun and enjoyable activity on a river trip. However, it does require some additional planning and equipment. Here are a few tips and tricks.

You may bring a small, collapsible fishing rod. You can fish from the shore but not while the raft is underway. You would be fishing mainly for trout. An Arizona fishing license must be purchased online prior to the trip.

Rod and reel/spin fishing: the best lures have been 1/4 oz to 1/8 oz gold spinners, fluorescent orange z-rays, small daredevils with a spot of orange or fluorescent red, and different colored worms. The Mepps Plain Lure Assortment Kit works great.

Fly fishing: the best setup is a San Juan Worm with a Zebra Midge tied to the hook, size 16-20. You can also use smaller nymphs or scuds.

Camp Life

An important aspect of staying healthy while on-river is hydration. The arid environment requires that you drink more water and eat more salty snacks to maintain proper electrolyte balance. Being a desert environment flying insects aren’t usually a big problem, however, this can vary depending on the time of year and recent rains. If you are sensitive to bites you may want to plan accordingly and bring insect repellent and/or long sleeves and pants. Snakes and scorpions are rarely seen. If you do happen to spot any, give them space and notify a guide. You can reduce the possibility of an encounter with a critter even further by shaking out your shoes and PFD in the morning before putting them on and waiting until you are heading to bed to roll out your sleeping bag. Please be respectful of your fellow guests. Consider things like red lights on your headlamp, be thoughtful when using spray sunscreen, and know that marijuana is illegal as Grand Canyon National Park follows federal law.

Hygiene

Because we’re like a big, close family throughout the river trip, keeping clean is an important factor in staying healthy. Guides will show you the hand-wash system and remind everyone to use it frequently. Soap is allowed only in the main river channel. Bathing in the cold water isn’t always appealing, so baby wipes are an easy alternative. You can’t use soap in or near the side streams but getting in the warmer, clearer water is refreshing and can help to keep you clean. We do NOT recommend bringing solar showers because they are difficult to store and very difficult to use on the river.

During the day, all urine must go directly into the river – that means squatting/standing near the river’s edge, wading in, or using a female urination device. There will be pit stops during the day, but if you have to go between stops, tell the guide before it’s an emergency so they have time to find a good place to pull over. If you need to poop during the day, the guides have a portable toilet system. Don’t be shy to ask for it if you need it. In camp, the guides will set up a camp toilet for solid waste while urine continues to go into the river.

At night, we provide handy pee buckets so you don’t have to find your way to the river in the dark. In the morning, dump your pee bucket directly into the river. The guides will explain sanitation and bathroom procedures in greater detail during on-river orientation.

Ladies, if you might be on your period while on your river trip, it’s helpful to plan ahead and pack for the unexpected. If you will be using tampons, bring an outdoor menstrual kit or several discreet baggies and plenty of baby wipes.

Make sure you keep these supplies handy during the day, in your provided day dry bag. When you change during the day, you can wrap the trash in a baby wipe, put that in a discreet baggie and dispose of it in the boat trash system or into the hygiene disposal at the camp toilet. Using pads is not the best option as you will get wet a lot on your river trip.

Weather

Weather can vary greatly during your trip. Humidity is usually very low, making the high temperatures less uncomfortable. River water temperatures average a cold 55-65°F all year long. Keep in mind that extreme weather (heat, cold, wind, rain, hail, flash flooding, etc.) can occur at any time with little to no advanced warning. Follow the packing list to be better prepared for a variety of conditions.

•April and May tend to be sunny with possible late-winter storms. Be prepared for cooler weather!
•June through mid-July is typically quite hot and sunny.
•Mid-July through mid-September is hot and mostly sunny with a strong chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
•Mid-September through October is usually warm and sunny with a chance of an early-winter storm. Be prepared for cooler weather!

How to check: Take a look at our weather blog for links to weather forecasts in the canyon and tips on how to pack accordingly.

Medical and Dietary Considerations

Due to the remote nature of the trip, it is important to understand that access to professional medical care can take several hours or even overnight. If you or someone in your group has any physical, medical or mental conditions, dietary restrictions or allergies, please list this information on your registration form and notify our office as soon as possible. We strongly encourage you to talk to a doctor and take any necessary precautions. Although we can often make modifications for customers who have food allergies, we want you to understand that we cannot guarantee 100% safeguard from exposure to your allergen. Be sure to bring your required medications, including EpiPens, on the trip.

Multi-day river trips are active, outdoor adventures and can be challenging. Extreme weather, cold river water, and other factors add to the intensity. Please see your acknowledgement of risk form for additional potential risk factors. If you have essential prescription medication, it is advisable to split your medication into two waterproof containers ahead of time so you can keep half and give half to the trip leader for backup storage. Be sure to clearly label all containers. If you have any questions regarding your ability to participate in this trip, please consult your doctor and call our office so that we may help answer your questions.

Emergency Information

One of the benefits of a river trip in Grand Canyon is the rare opportunity to be disconnected. There is no cell service or WiFi. We do carry satellite communication devices, but they are only used for outbound messages in the event of an emergency on the river. These devices remain turned off and are not used for incoming messages/calls. In the unlikely event that we could get a message to our guests, there are almost no options to leave the trip and exit the canyon, even if there is an emergency at home. We think it is important to discuss with your family ahead of time whether you would want to receive news of an emergency or death while on the river, as there will likely be nothing you can do until the end of your trip. Feel free to share our office number with your family so that they can reach us while you’re away.

Risk

Our experience through the years has shown that river rafting trips are fun vacations. You should recognize, however, that there is an element of risk in any adventure or activity associated with whitewater rafting and the outdoors. Check with your local agent concerning your insurance needs. The Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risk form must be understood and signed by each passenger 18 years and older. Minors must have a parent/legal guardian sign for them. Each spouse must sign individually; one cannot sign for the other. It is also important to understand our rafting trip policies.

Travel Protection

GCW highly recommends that you purchase travel insurance after making the initial deposit for your river trip. No one ever plans to cancel their Grand Canyon river trip. But, believe us, unpredictable situations arise like family illness/injury, flight delays, etc. Look for additional benefits like trip interruption, emergency medical expenses, trip delay, baggage delay, etc. Make sure your coverage includes all your travel dates, and not just your rafting trip dates. We suggest Travelex Insurance Services for U.S. residents; international guests, please research your insurance options. It is your responsibility to choose the policy that works for you. Go to Travelex Insurance Services (800-228-9792) for more info. Use Reference Code 03-0146