Grand Canyon National Park North Bass
Saturday, October 4, 2025 -
Saturday, October 11, 2025 --
$2100
★★★★★
NEITHER THE TRIP DATES NOR TRIP ITINERARY ARE FINAL! This is our proposed itinerary.
The Grand Canyon backcountry office will not issue May backcountry permits on or about July 15th, 2025.
There is an extraordinarily high demand for permits so it's unknown as of now whether or not we'll obtain any permit
at all and if so, what the dates or ultimate route will be. If the park does award us an itinerary,
the park may change our dates or our group size to do so.
If we are not awarded this itinerary during the lottery window, we will attempt to move the trip to
anywhere from a day later up to about 2 weeks later, so your flexibility is appreciated.
This is the 2nd of 3 trips to the Grand Canyon this year.
What can we possibly tell you about
Grand Canyon National Park,
that would persuade you to visit? Would it help to know that it's considered one of the
7 Wonders of the Natural World? Or that its geologic features reveal 40% of the Earth's history?
Or that the Grand Canyon is home to some of the cleanest air in the United States? Or
that it's well over a mile deep, giving rise to superlative, unobstructed views?
The Grand Canyon is a life list destination that words are insufficient to fully describe.
You owe it to yourself to visit this truly amazing wonder.
Unlike our other Grand Canyon trips, The North Bass Trail starts and ends on the less
crowded North Rim. According to Backpacker Magazine, "With all due respect to the
hordes on the corridor trails, there's a better, lonelier way to descend into Arizona's
belly and back again". This will truly be an epic adventure that traverses the Grand Canyon
in a much different way (both geographically and spiritually) than the corridor trails.
We may encounter rafting groups at Bass Camp on the Colorado River, but probably only a few
people along our route.
Sign up to do this trip now. As Rodney Dangerfield famously said, "Let's go while we're young!"
Topographical Map of Proposed Route
See CalTopo map
Weather
Weather is always an important concern when backpacking, especially in the Grand Canyon.
Septmeber is a good time to visit weather-wise as it's cooling down (may even freeeze) up on
the North Rim
although it's no longer oppressively hot in
the bottom of the canyon.
Be prepared for freezing weather or even snow on the North rim, but also be prepared for 100 degrees at the
bottom of the canyon. Hopefully neither will happen but we must be prepared for each.
Probable Trip Leaders
Steve Silberberg
Michael DeWitt
Any Other Guide(s) TBD
Difficulty
This trip will be difficult and grueling at times. Besides all-day uphills and all-day downhills,
this trail has a tendency to get overgrown which frustratingly retards progress. If you have a
fear of heights, some of this trail may paralyze you with fear. Although most people hike this
trail without issue, those with a heightened sense of fear at occasional drop-offs may not fare well.
The Grand Canyon can be extremely difficult and forbidding. The temperatures
can be freezing on the rim or over 100 degrees in the Canyon. There is little to no shade in some areas,
so you will be exposed to the beating sun for extended periods with only the water you carry. Sun block
alone is not sufficient for this. You must bring a wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and long pants.
Furthermore, we will be dry-camping (no water) on 2 nights. Water may not be available for 2 days.
It will be imperative to carry up to 2 gallons of water (16 pounds).
Carrying the extra weight makes your full pack even heavier.
Elevation gains and losses are dramatic. Expect to gain or lose over 2800' vertical on some days.
In order to do this, you will need to be sufficiently hydrated. Plus, your feet must remain in
good shape. Blisters and unclipped toenails will cripple you and make progress extremely slow and
painful so be mindful of hot spots as they develop.
Cost
$2100 per person double occupancy.
per person pre-trip single occupancy, post trip double occupancy. Here, double occupancy
means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be
responsible for transportation to and from Las Vegas (LAS) as well as personal
equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides.
Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 1 frontcountry campground night, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers,
ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees
and awesome guides.
Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to)
other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like
most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this
shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of
a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost.
Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for
30-60% of a their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest
extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit
tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional
customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support
them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating
powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes
they've dug.
Notes
Important! Water may be scarce during the hike. Be prepared to carry 6-8 liters (12-16 pounds) of
water in your pack. But don't be discouraged as we will navigate this together.
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