I am getting a group together to go backpacking into the Grand Canyon next fall. I hope to do a, pardon the expression, rim to rim hike. I am planning on going the first of October. Does anyone have any pointers or tips ?

Thanks

I went last fall in the first two weeks of Oct. The weather was perfect: in the 50's and 60's. Not to mention the fall colors. The crowds were minimal. The best time to go in my opinion. But keep your hiking excrusions within your limits. The terrain and high elevations will suprise you. And remember, going down is easy, but you have to come back up sometime.
If your going to stay in the area, make your reservations now. They fill up extremely early, I'm sure some are already filled up.
I spent two weeks touring the 'Grand Circle' which is what they call the entire area. I went to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in Arizona. Bryce and Zion N.P in southwestern Utah. Then Canyonlands and Arches N.P. in the Moab, Utah area in eastern Utah, then over to Mesa Verde in New Mexico. Needless to say I was wiped out after I got home.
So be sure to respect your limits and remember to stop, sit down and just enjoy the views.
The national parks web site, I think it's national parks.gov, has all the parks in it. Each has a boat load of info from hiking to hours to weather to lodging and much more.
Hope you have a blast like I did. One of the best vacations I ever took.
Oh yes, drink lots of water. And one more thing, drink lots of water.

Thank you for the information. All of us have been backpacking before. We are all veterans of Philmont so we hope that has prepared us. We are all old geezers, i.e. over 50 so we are all trying to get to the gym to try to get in some semblence of shape.

We are actually running into the problem you mention, things being filled. Already the Phantom Ranch is filled up for meals.

We are really looking forward to it. It is a long way away but it is nice to think about on these cold days.

If your staying on the south rim of the canyon, (or that side) you'll have many more choices for lodging. From Flagstaff on up. Since I went to Bryce & Zion as well, I stayed in Kanab, Utah, just north of the Arizona border. It's about 80 miles north of the north rim. I didn't want to keep having to change motels. Anyway, there's only two places on the north rim. The Grand Canyon Lodge itself inside the park and Jacob lake Lodge just outside the park, not much of a choice. Best bet is somewhere on the south side.
Hope you guys have a blast. I know you will. Take in some of the nature programs. Those park rangers are nothing to laugh at. A few are even better looking than the canyon itself. And for their personal, up-close attention, fake an injury like I did.

A few months ago I asked for information about backpacking the Grand Canyon. Well, I just got back from the trip and wanted to update the board.

It was unbelievable!!!! I had heard you can't imagine the expanse until you are there. That is correct. It is incredible. The weather was perfect for backpacking 60s during the day, 40s at night. It was sunny.

We hiked down the South Kaibab trail and set up camp at Bright Angel for two nights. We did a day hike up to Ribbon Falls and had cold beer afterward at Phantom Ranch. We spend the next night at Indian Gardens and watched a phenomenal sunset at Plateau Point. We came out the next day up the Bright Angel Trail.

All I can say is that it was the best trip I have ever taken in my life. I went with a bunch of straight guys whom I did not know well and we got along great.

If you even think you might like a trip like that, it is well worth it.

Sounds like fun. I'm so jealous. Hopefull, I can make it out to the Grand Canyon. One of my dream trips.