RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

We visit the Grand Canyon almost every year. Always something different to see. Most people just see the canyon from the rim. That's mind boggling, but you need to hike down to get the real feel of the grandeur of the canyon. At least go down the Bright Angle Trail a ways. It's fairly easy if you don't go down too far. Just keep in mind it's a lot harder going back up. And bring lot of water.

My favorite is going down the South Kaibab Trail. You might need to take the tram to the trail head depending on time of year. If you are up for a little steeper more rugged trail, go down the Kaibab. At least to a point named 'ooh aah point'. It's not that far down and you'll get a real feeling for the canyon. Further down from there you'll see good views of the Colorado River. And it gets better and better the further you go down. Going down is easy, don't forget, you have the go back up.

I've hiked to the bottom twice and stayed at Phantom Ranch. Once down and back up the Bright Angle, but the best was down the Kaibab and up the Bright Angle. You'll need reservations to stay down there.

I've also taken the mule ride down. That's another story.

Here are some photos of the Kaibab trail.

We've been staying at the Best Western in Tusayan, Arizona 86023. It's just a couple miles south of the entrance and 6 miles from the Grand Canyon Village.

Hope you have a great time there where ever you stay and what ever you do.

We are at the 'ooh aah point'.

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Heading back up the Kaibab trail.

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A little further up the trail

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One of hundreds of photos I've taken over the years.

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imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A smaller lighter tripod so as not to be cumbersome - use even in better light to keep ISO down especially with filters. Grad ND filter and Polarizer. Be sure to use your in camera HDR and sweep pano capabilities. Sweep pano in vertical orientation from tripod at about 35mm equivalent would be nice.

Be safe and have fun !

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cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

These "Hogs" have posted some really nice shots, david. Looks like we have our work cut out for us. I'll be wearing the bright yellow cap.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

Here’s a good post about Grad nd filters;
http://www.my-photo-blog.com/graduated-neutral-density-filters

Vancewood

My wife and I have been there twice and unless you have reservations, lodging is going to be a problem. We stayed at the Best Western in Williams Arizona 30 miles south of the canyon. That was the closest we could find, everything else was full up. This was a very nice location and the people were great. If you are a veteran they are particularly nice to you. I realize that 30 mils is a long trip but it's better than 60 miles.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I went for the first time in August of last year, stunning landscapes. I visited both the north and south rim, the north rim had wonderful lightening strikes. There seemed to be many motel choices in the south rim town, check out one of the internet sites for motels/hotels. You definately need your tripod for the early and late shots and hopefully the weather will create a chance for some interesting shots. Have fun!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Take a few panorama series (multiple shots that overlap) and stitch them together. Here is one of the Grand Canyon in 2009 that I like (6 landscapes):

Grand Canyon pano 337-342 by David Casteel, on Flickr

IDguy Loc: Idaho

The shuttle system may not be working next month yet.

Arca

DavidP

I don't think this has been mentioned, but the south rim of the GCNP lies at an elevation of 7,000'. Not only is the air pretty thin, it can become pretty cold. I have been there about 12 times, as I live in Phoenix. One New Year's Eve about four years ago, it snowed 14" overnight and the temperature at night was about -12 F. Dress warmly. Three days ago, the temperature of the South Rim (where all the hotels are at this time of year, as the North Rim is closed during winter) was again -12 F. There are a few motels in Tusayan as has already been mentioned, and there are additional motels in Williams. Both locations are closer than those in Flagstaff, which is about 50 or 60 miles sough of the South Rim. Flagstaff has more variety of motels/hotels and more restaurants, but you have to drive over a section of highway which is 8,000' in elevation. I mention this only to alert you to the possibility of snow at those elevations, especially if you want to get to the GCNP very early in the morning for a sunrise. Because of the possibly cold temperatures, bring a spare battery and keep it warm, or keep rotating warm batteries in your camera.

Also as has been stated previously, you would benefit from bringing a tripod, polarizing and graduated neutral density filters unless you use the high dynamic range apparatus in your camera.

You will enjoy the experience even more if you hike into the canyon. The first stopping point is 1 1/2 miles down, then another at 3 miles down and then at 4 1/2 miles down. Visitors are warned to not feed the animals, no matter how adorable they are, or how photogenic you wish to make them. Remember, it takes you approximately twice as long to hike up as hiking down, and you will be more tired than when you began your hike. Bring plenty of water, even in the winter, as the air is very dry. Bring more than you think you will need. Also bring some snacks for energy, 'Power Bars' or 'Cliff Bars' or the equivalent. You need protein for energy. Also, do not go alone if you can avoid it.

The hike to the bottom is about 5,000' in elevation, and the 'Bright Angel Trail' is about nine miles from the South Rim to the Colorado River. I have hiked this twice. If you are in very, very good shape, you can do this in one long day of hiking, but the Park Rangers do not suggest you attempt this. If a person gets into trouble, cardiac arrest, hypothermia, thirst from lack of water, they will provide water and maybe some crackers, but they ALMOST NEVER call for a helicopter rescue.

Plan ahead, be careful and have a wonderful visit. For many, it is a trip of a lifetime.

Arca

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

We go to the Grand Canyon at least once a year last year we stayed at the Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn, it was a nice place and the room was not overly expensive, we have also stayed at the El Tover, and also the cabins at Bright Angel they are in the park and very convenient this year we have reservations at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the north rim which will be a first I hear it is awesome and less crowded. I find a tripod to be very handy over the years I have learned to go with less equipment so that I can enjoy the experience better, I now go with my D800 (the D7100 is in the car in case I need it I know it does not do any good if I am out and about and the D 800 has problems but that is when I just sit back and take it all in. I take a Tamron 17mm to 35mm, the 24mm to 70mm and the 28mm to 200mm, I used to lug the 150mm to 500mm but used it so little (as I shoot landscape not birds and moving animals very often) that it was not worth the extra weight. Remember get reservations soon as they are booked fast if you cannot find a room in or just outside the park both Williams and Flagstaff are not super far away. enjoy the trip and please share your shots with us when you get home.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Back in 1975 I was 28 and in excellent shape, so I thought. In late June I hiked down the Bright Angle to the river with a friend, went across the bridge, walked around there, put my feet in the river (had trouble putting my hiking shoes back on), refilled our water bottles and then went back up the same day. It was an awesome hike, but it was hot. I was sweating and trying to make the water I had in my backpack last on the long hike back up. I was from Florida and not used to hiking up long steep hills. But I made it.

We were camping there then and had taken a shuttle to the rim from the campground. After that hike the shuttle had stopped running. I didn't think I could make it back to the campground. Someone saw us limping and gave us a ride.

My legs were so sore the next day I could hardly walk. I had trouble even stepping up a curb for the next 2 weeks.

So, I agree with the rangers, unless you are an avid mountain hiker and in very good shape, don't try it in one day.

In late 80s I took the mules down. I don't ride horses, so riding on the large mule made my legs sore and I walked bow-legged for a couple days. But I loved the ride down and up. However, if you are afraid of heights, you might not want to do the mules. They walk on the extreme outside edge. They say one has never gone over, but they do slip on rocks from time to time. When they stop for a break they lean over the edge trying to find food. The best part was on the way back up. They just keep going passing weary hikers.

Then in the early 90s I hiked down the Kaibab trail in late April and spent the night at Phantom Ranch. Had a ice cold beer and a great meal. The next morning I was rested, and after breakfast hiked back up. Still a long hike, but so much better than in one day. Still a little sore, but nothing like before.

I'll go down again, but will spend 2 or 3 days at Phantom Ranch to really rest up and there is a lot to explore at the bottom. The sunset from down there was something to see. And like you said, it is a trip of a lifetime.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

bring both wide angle and telephoto zoom lenses. The wide angle zoom is great for vistas/panoramas; the telephoto zoom is great for isolating parts of a landscape.

As to accommodations, my wife and I stayed at the Super 8 motel in Williams, AZ. You can see it from I-40. It is less than an hour to the South Rim, going straight up AZ highway 64, and about 30 minutes to Flagstaff.

You can find other hotels from the same overall chain at https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/williams-arizona?brand_id=ALL&checkin_date=2/24/2018&checkout_date=2/25/2018&useWRPoints=false&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&radius=25&brand_code=BH,DI,RA,BU,HJ,KG,MT,SE,TL,WG,WY,WT,WP&PriceFilter=0-2147483647

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

My tour group in 2009 stayed at the Maswik Lodges.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

You don't have to go that far to be 'special'. We went on a short hike with a ranger; we were maybe fifteen feet below the rim when he told us we were further into the canyon than more than 90% of the visitors do.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA