We struck out (several times) w/regard to securing a permit for a Rim-to-Rim hike. However, we are considering just showing up one day (very early October) in hopes a permitted group doesn’t show up for their slot. We’re told this is not all that unusual. If we do take this gamble, and we lose, we’ll be looking for another 2-3 day backpacking route in the same general northern Arizona area. Anyone have any suggestions in this regard?
This might not be the best for a spur of the moment hike, but Havasupai Canyon fits well within the 2-3 day range for the October period (I did it in 2 days in August and it was hellish.)
It’s very close to the Grand Canyon Park as the crow flies, but much further away by car. It also has limited capacity of about 100 people a day and the Havasupai Tribe takes reservations in advance. The waterfalls are unbelievably beautiful. Even though it was the hottest weather I’ve ever hiked in, it was worth it, except for the fact that I had to leave.
I’ve done Havasu 3 times–a great hike. A day to hike down, set up camp and hang out, a day to maybe hike down to the river, and a day to hike back. Another suggestion, a bit farther away, but one of the most spectacular hikes in the southwest: do some (or all if you’re a fast hiker) of Paria Canyon.
I did a cross-canyon hike a few years ago and didn’t need a permit. There’s no way I could do it in one day (I barely made it in two), so I did need an overnight reservation at Phantom Ranch. They’re booked a year in advance, so I’m sure some people’s plans change. From what I could tell, if you were the first person at the check-in desk when it opened, you’d have a pretty good shot at getting an opening. There are campgrounds as well, but I think they’re reserved through the park service and not the concessionaire that manages the ranch.
How good a hiker are you? It’s easier to get Grand Canyon permits on routes that don’t use the main corridor trails - but those trails (Grandview, Hermit, etc) aren’t as well-maintained as as the three main corridor trails.
In addition to Havasupi and Paria Canyon, you could also look at hiking in the Sedona area as an alternative to the Canyon.