The permits are available on the first of the month 4 months in advance
of your trip. To get the days you want, plan on filling out a request
form (available from the GC web site) and Faxing it at 12:01 AM on the
first day of the month. For May I believe that would be Jan. 1. The
permits for popular campsites and spring months are in high demand. The
same goes for Phantom Ranch. We tried for an April date two years ago 2+
months in advance and couldn't even get a meal reservation. Do not under
estimate the demand, or you could be disappointed. We were unable to get
the camps we wanted last Oct. and we requested mid-week over a month in
advance. We ended up hiking down Hermit Trail spending two nights and
coming back out the same. Had a good time but not the rim to rim
experience we had hoped for.
There s a shuttle service from rim to rim it runs once a day, about $70
each way, check for the times.
Just a side note Hermit Creek Trail, is a tough hike down and back, much
harder than the corridor trails.
Lots of luck, hope you get the permit the Canyon is an awesome place to
hike.
--- In grandcanyon@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Bechard" <chris@...> wrote:
>
> Hello:
>
> Myself and three other very experienced hikers are planning a rim-to-
> rim hike from the North Rim via the North Kaibab trail, staying
> overnight at the Phantom Ranch (to avoid having to haul camping
> gear), then up Bright Angel to the South Rim. We wish to do this the
> weekend before Memorial Day (5/19-5/20/07).
>
> I have been told to seek permits/reservations for this hike six or
> more months in advance, but when I go to the Backcountry Office site,
> they say permits can only be made 4 months in advance.
>
> Any recommendations as to how to proceed to have our best chance at
> success in securing a permit? Any recommendations as to how to get
> back to the North Rim? Anywhere else to stay at the South Rim other
> than El Tovar (heard this was very hard to get a reservation at.)
>
> Do you think it would be better to go in the early fall than in the
> spring?
>
> Any and all assistance would be most appreciated! I live right next
> to Rocky Mountain National Park and would be more than happy to help
> anyone out with logistics in this area.
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Chris Bechard
> Estes Park, Colorado
>