Single Night S Rim Hike?

[SA Bill]

Background:
Almost 53 years old.
Reasonable shape now...working on getting in really good shape.
Knees are okay...back is so so.
Been 20+ years since I hiked up to S Rim.

I'm thinking of adding a one night backpack to the S Rim this fall if I make it to BB. With gas going up and up, who knows if the trip will happen. Anyway, I did the S Rim as a day hike once (KILLER!) and did a one night backpack 20+ years ago when there was no such thing as hiking light. I'm thinking I'll get back in shape by using the S Rim as my motivation. If I get back in shape, and go ultra-light, I just might be able to hack a one night S Rim back pack!

I'm thinking an early start, easy pace, rest when needed trek up. Laze around once I reach camp. Take lots of pics. Experience a sunset from the Rim again. Take lots of pics. Head down when I feel like it the next day. Not too complicated.

Soooo....I'm open to suggestions for campsites and ways up and down. I'd like the camp site to be relatively close to nice Rim views at sunset. I wouldn't mind going up and down the same stretch of trail. The entire S Rim trail is not necessary for me to have a great experience.

What say ye as to the best way up and down and the best place to lay my head?
  Thanks!
    Bill - Dreaming of the Rim

[SHANEA]

Go for it...

Notice anything about the timestamps...

[Al]

The better shape you're in, the faster you go, which is not unnecessarily a good thing.  Just get up a little earlier, go slower and take more pictures!

Al

[mule ears]

53 makes you just the right age!  The Laguna meadows trail is the easiest route up and back and the shortest.  6.3 miles to SW4 campsite that has the outhouse nearby.  Many folks think that SW3 campsite is better with better views and it is maybe only 6 miles from the Basin.  If you get in the shape you want you could go all the way to NE4 (7.7 miles) which is also the favorite of all the Rim sites by many including Casa Grande.

You can do this, no problem.

[russco]

Everyone in my group had only one wish...that we had stayed in sw4...because it was close to THE S Rim ie. more expansive views and we had 3 girls so the toilet was closer. We preferrred the sites of the Pinnacles/Boot Canyon trail over the Laguna Meadows however we did lug our water up the less steep and shorter to our site LM.My dad who is now 67 is glad that he did it before he couldn't...Go for it!

[bdann]

Up Laguna and back down the same way with a night at SW4 isn't bad at all.  No doubt you'll be fine if you are in reasonable shape.  Go for it Bill! 
When are you going in the fall?  I'm hoping for a trip this fall as well, also planning on hiking up to the South Rim.

[Boot Canyon 1 Cougar]

S.A. Bill,

Whooaa!  Please don't infer that 53 is old.  I'm only a couple of months away from the big Five-O, and I'm trying to keep my...............Wait a minute, what was I talking about?

You can definitely do it with adequate preparation.

A couple of things I'd suggest are: 

(i) get some really good trekking poles--one for each hand.  I have a pair of Leki Super Makalu Cortecs, have had them for 5 years, and would not hike or backpack without them.  They save the knees, and help old people like you and me avoid tipping over if we fall asleep while we are hiking.

(ii)  have a nice, reasonably thick inflatable Thermarest sleeping mattress--will help the back.

(iii)  Start at sunup so you can go slow, take in the country, enjoy the journey.

(iv) Spend at least 2 or 3 times a month between now and then out at Government Canyon, on trails like Sendero Balcones, Far Reaches, Wildcat Canyon, etc.  You can put together a nice 5-8 mile hike, which will have reasonable elevation gain and loss, and will provide you with a good workout.  You'll be ready for the South Rim in no time.  Last time I checked, Government Canyon is open Fri-Mon, 8 to 6.



I can hardly wait to see your photos from your South Rim trip.

[SA Bill]

Woo Hoo! Lots of good info...thanks!

Shane:  I hit the send button around 10:20pm...shows up as 9:36? You hit send exactly an hour later? Time warp?

Al: Yeah, I'm figuring an early start!

Mule ears:  Doable...I'm hoping for 6-7 miles up but 8 is okay with an early start.
 
Russco: I don't care about being near the toilet...best view is more important.

bdann: Another vote for SW4! I'm hoping to go in Oct or Nov...probably around new moon time frame...although full moon rising while on the rim might be nice.

BC1C:  Didn't mean to imply that 50+ is old...just background info. I've never used hiking poles while hiking. Might have to try that. I've been meaning to go out to Gov Can anyway so I like the idea of making it a work out to get ready for the fall.

Thanks everyone for the info!!
   Bill

[Al]

Bill, at our age hiking poles are the extra help that can make all the difference.  I was about your age when I first bought mine and now would be not without them on that hike, although I have leaned on many a Sotol stalk over the years.  I hope ultra light does not translate into no pictures!

Al

P.S.  You're a man after my own heart. I'd probably take 8 hours to go 6 or so miles on that hike.  HEY!  It's climbing a mountain!

[dkerr24]

+1 for using hiking/trekking poles.  I have a cheap pair of Leki aluminum poles that have accompanied me on numerous Grand Canyon, GUMO, BB, and northern NM mtn hiking trips.  They definitely save your knees and allow your arms to help take some of the shock off your legs.  I can hike for hours pain free when using my Leki poles.

It's like the difference between a car with 2wd and 4wd in off-road conditions.  If you feel a foot slip, you've got a pole right there to help stabilize/balance.

Some people may laugh or think they're dorky, but they can laugh all they want, trekking poles are worth more than their weight in gold!

As far as camping spots, SW3 or SW4 are great.  I can't speak for the NE sites, as it was nesting season and I didn't visit that side of the rim back in Feb.

Definitely the LM trail is the easier of the two paths to the South Rim.  The Pinnacles trail gets very steep near the Toll Mtn ridge.

[SA Bill]

Okay!
I'm "sold" on attempting this hike!

I think I'm at least going to try some trekking poles. What can you all recommend? From looking around on the internet, I think I want light weight, anti-shock and 3 sections so they'll collapse and be compact.

I definitely need a new pack! My last back pack was an external frame behemoth. I'm thinking a medium sized internal frame pack would do for this one night adventure, even carrying 2 gallons of water.  Any suggestions for a decent internal frame pack that doesn't cost a fortune and weigh a ton?

I'm also thinking I'll do this without a tent. Since this will be in October, I'm hoping it won't be too chilly by then, what with global warming and all. Is it reasonable to forgo a tent for one night on the rim...assuming the weather forecast doesn't call for rain, snow or really cold temps?

I'll also leave the stove behind and carry just enough easy to carry/prepare foods to get me by. I'm going to do this as light as possible!

Don't worry Al, the camera will be at the ready the whole trip. I think I still have a lightweight tripod that could be worked into the pack for self portraits and time exposures.

Anything else I need to take into account for this venture?

As far as the camp site (SW3 or 4 hopefully), is that reserved the day before or the day of the hike? If I can reserve it the day before, I'll get a very early start the day of the hike so I can take it easy going up.

Excited,
  Bill

[badknees]

I'm also thinking I'll do this without a tent. Since this will be in October, I'm hoping it won't be too chilly by then, what with global warming and all. Is it reasonable to forgo a tent for one night on the rim...assuming the weather forecast doesn't call for rain, snow or really cold temps?

CHISOS BASIN (411715)                                     Calendar Day Extremes                                     Lowest Minimum Temperature (degrees F)                                     Years: 1947-2008                                                                          Day   Oct                                  1   38                                  2   42                                  3   36                                  4   41                                  5   45                                  6   43                                  7   37                                  8   29                                  9   28                                  10   28                                  11   34                                  12   41                                  13   37                                  14   38                                  15   35                                  16   36                                  17   29                                  18   33                                  19   33                                  20   28                                  21   30                                  22   31                                  23   32                                  24   35                                  25   32                                  26   31                                  27   29                                  28   32                                  29   28                                  30   19                                  31   20

CHISOS BASIN (411715)          Calendar Day Extremes          Highest Precipitation (inches)          Years: 1943-2008                    Day   Oct       1   0.68       2   1.99       3   1.16       4   1.16       5   4.29       6   1.74       7   2       8   1.53       9   0.82       10   0.53       11   2.6       12   1.56       13   0.95       14   0.75       15   1.13       16   0.73       17   0.48       18   0.29       19   1.86       20   1.55       21   0.5       22   0.94       23   0.78       24   0.66       25   0.74       26   0.6       27   0.65       28   0.91       29   2.32       30   0.35       31   0.1

CHISOS BASIN (411715)          Daily Climate Normals          Minimum Temperature (degrees F)          1971-2000                    Day   Oct       1   56       2   55       3   55       4   55       5   55       6   54       7   54       8   54       9   54       10   53       11   53       12   53       13   53       14   52       15   52       16   52       17   52       18   51       19   51       20   51       21   50       22   50       23   50       24   50       25   49       26   49       27   49       28   48       29   48       30   48       31   47

[chisos_muse]

Bill...just do it! You'll be fine and will have a great time. You've been on this chatboard long enough to have most of the trip reports and advice and must-do's practically memorized...

We want photo's!

[Goldilocks]

The trekking poles discussion reminded me of a question I have been meaning to ask.  I have an inexpensive trekking pole that I use.  Part of my problem may be the quality of the equipment but several times on longer hikes I have gotten "hot spots" on my hands.  I have been able to adjust my grip enough to keep from getting blisters but I have to be careful.  I was wondering if wearing gloves would be a good solution or if I need to invest in better quality poles, or both? 

[mule ears]

Okay!
I'm "sold" on attempting this hike!

I think I'm at least going to try some trekking poles. What can you all recommend? From looking around on the internet, I think I want light weight, anti-shock and 3 sections so they'll collapse and be compact.

I definitely need a new pack! My last back pack was an external frame behemoth. I'm thinking a medium sized internal frame pack would do for this one night adventure, even carrying 2 gallons of water.  Any suggestions for a decent internal frame pack that doesn't cost a fortune and weigh a ton?

I'm also thinking I'll do this without a tent. Since this will be in October, I'm hoping it won't be too chilly by then, what with global warming and all. Is it reasonable to forgo a tent for one night on the rim...assuming the weather forecast doesn't call for rain, snow or really cold temps?

I'll also leave the stove behind and carry just enough easy to carry/prepare foods to get me by. I'm going to do this as light as possible!

Don't worry Al, the camera will be at the ready the whole trip. I think I still have a lightweight tripod that could be worked into the pack for self portraits and time exposures.

Anything else I need to take into account for this venture?

As far as the camp site (SW3 or 4 hopefully), is that reserved the day before or the day of the hike? If I can reserve it the day before, I'll get a very early start the day of the hike so I can take it easy going up.

Excited,
  Bill

I am a big fan of Black Diamond poles with the flick-lock adjusters instead of the screw type, they never fail.  Some years back I read an article that lead me to decide that anit-shock was unnecessary, my poles don't have it and I have never wished I had it.  The lightest poles are carbon fiber but that also runs the price up.  Northernmountain.co m has a set of Blackdiamond Alpine carbon fiber poles on sale for $99  http://www.northernmountain.com/detail/576694?ClearLast=Yes.

You might consider renting a pack from REI or somewhere, something like a Gregory Z pack or a Granite Gear Vapor Trail or even one of their brand packs.  Keep the pack weight under 4 lbs. if you can and under 3 is even better.

I never take a tent so that's my opinion on that subject  ...
I would rather have a good pad and a tarp then a tent (and some bourbon  ) for these 50 plus year old bones.

Here is a great piece on lightening up the load  http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00034.html

You can get your permit the day before so you can easily get an early start,

Go Bill