Canyonology Treks

04/22/2021

Happy 🌎❣️ We celebrate the Earth on every trip by following principles, packing out everything we bring with us, giving wildlife their space, and by educating ourselves on the amazing geological and other processes which formed this big, beautiful hole in the planet. What do you do to honor the Earth at home?

04/21/2021

Although it is Spring, we are already looking ahead to Fall! Some of the best Grand Canyon hiking weather is in the Fall, and if you’re thinking about booking a trip with us, you should reach out before May 20th to have the best chance of getting the permits you want. As always, send us a message or visit our website for more information & to plan your dream trip!

04/01/2021

That's No Selfie Stick!

Every March, just after Spring Equinox, park rangers spend a couple of days cleaning and repainting some of the most visible buttes and temples (as seen from the South Rim) of Grand Canyon National Park.

Improvements in telescoping pole technology have made this activity possible.

: A uniformed park ranger is painting a dingy portion of a canyon landscape with a paint roller on the end of a pole."

What is open during Easter Week? https://go.nps.gov/C19

03/19/2021

When you come backpacking with us, we feed you! Here’s a couple of examples of creative meals we have enjoyed on the trail. We are able to work with all kinds of dietary restrictions to keep your energy up and your tastebuds satisfied. What’s your favorite thing to eat in the backcountry?

03/18/2021

The bottom of the Grand Canyon feels like another world sometimes! The rim that your hike started on is no longer visible, it’s much warmer down here, there’s no cell phone reception, and after miles of dry desert - there’s suddenly a huge river! You should never try to hike to the river and back in one day, so if you want to experience this other world, we can bring you on an overnight or multi-night trip. Imagine - an entire mile of elevation change! Have you been down to the Colorado River before?

03/17/2021

Who’s that cutie playing in the snow? There are about 200 elk living in Grand Canyon Village year round, so it’s likely that you will see at least one while you are here. Did you know that these elk are not actually native to the area? The native subspecies - Merriam’s Elk - were hunted to extinction by 1898. In 1912, another subspecies, Rocky Mountain Elk, were relocated from Yellowstone to northern Arizona. The elk you see here today are the descendants of those! Because they aren’t native to the area, they aren’t adapted to such a dry climate and will often rely on human generated water sources such as puddles around bottle fill stations and watered vegetation around homes and buildings. Reminder: always keep your distance from wild critters you meet at the park!

02/25/2021

Recently, we asked you to identify a common Grand Canyon plant. The answer is...Banana Yucca, or “Yucca baccata”! This is found all over not only the Grand Canyon, but the entire Southwest. Indigenous peoples found many uses for this plant, including weaving the white fibers to make ropes and sandals, pounding the roots to create soaps, and consuming the fruit. So, did you get it right? There’s more plant trivia where that came from, so stay tuned!

02/20/2021

Time for some more trivia! Do you recognize this common plant found at the Grand Canyon? Comment below, and keep an eye on our Stories the next few days!

02/18/2021

This trip is still available!

Indian Garden Campground is one of our favorite places to be in the Spring, and on March 13-15, 2021, you could be here too! We have an available permit for these days which will take you down and across the river to Bright Angel Campground, followed by Indian Garden, and a hike out the next day! As always, we will provide food, gear, first aid, a great sense of humor, and tons of Canyon knowledge. Send us a message or visit our website to see about booking this trip! Up to 4 people.

02/18/2021

02/14/2021

Happy Valentine’s Day! Have you heard of the “heart of the Canyon” or “Matrimony rock”? As the story goes, in the 1930s a young CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) man fell in love with a Harvey Girl. While building this wall, he placed this heart-shaped rock precisely where she’d be able to view it from her bedroom in Colter Hall. The story goes on to say that the two did eventually wed, thus the name “Matrimony rock”. Next time you are walking the rim trail, keep an eye out for this sweet symbol. We hope that you all have a happy holiday today celebrating all kinds of love! ❤️

02/12/2021

Valentine’s Day is coming up and we have a romantic Grand Canyon legend ready to share with you - can you guess what it might be? In the mean time, check out this sweet heart-shaped cactus — but be careful, it’s prickly. 💚🌵