good overnight hike besides south rim

[Roy]

can someone recommend a good overnighter.....off icial or unofficial trail?

Consider Banta ShutIn;  easy access to the trail head, not as much uphill as the Rim.  Lots of others, depending on your capability;  and if you have a high clearance vehicle.

[STARLITDARKNESS3]

can someone recommend a good overnighter.....off icial or unofficial trail?

Consider Banta ShutIn;  easy access to the trail head, not as much uphill as the Rim.  Lots of others, depending on your capability;  and if you have a high clearance vehicle.

LOL, Xseption thru us all off back in December 07 when he 'revived' Phil's thread.  Of course Phil hasnt logged on since March 06.  Who knows, he could be back. 

[jeffblaylock]

I suppose the original poster has long ago made his trip, but here's my suggestions for anyone else who looks in this thread:

As to the original question, you can hike the Marufo Vega Trail to the south fork to the Split Rock campsite. Great views of Boquillas Canyon and the Sierra del Carmen, and you'll probably have that whole part of the park to yourself.

If you have 4WD you can drive the River Road to the Dominquez Spring trailhead and backpack to the spring.

Likewise, you can go to Talley campsite and hike to the rim of Mariscal Canyon.

As for the second issue, unless you're going to buy a dehydrator and learn how to use it well, the freeze-dried stuff like mountainhouse is the way to go. Most of it is OK to borderline good, at least after a hard day of hiking.