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Exploring The Grand Canyon…On A Mule!!!
December 29th, 2011
If you have ever been to the Grand Canyon, you can understand the feeling of awe that the glorious red and orange walls inspire in even the least sentimental person. The tall majestic spires and swooping eagles that inhabit them often leave poets and writers speechless, and artists are never fully capable of portraying the grandure that the Canyon is named for.
There are many ways to enjoy yourself while visiting, including river rafting on the mighty Colorado River between the Canyon walls; wandering the rim via a hike; and riding mules down out of the wind into the shelter of the ravine, which I recently enjoyed.
There are many different types of trails to ride, depending on what you’d like to see and how much time you are willing to spend. If you only have a few hours, I would recommend taking the three hour Abyss Overlook Mule Ride. This spectacular ride will take you through a magnificent Ponderosa forest, as well as a piñon and juniper woodland. However, it does not actually enter the Grand Canyon. The mules will bring you within five minutes walking distance to the rim before you dismount and hike to a perfect location for viewing the Canyon. These excursions depart twice daily through October, and once daily through mid March from the Historic Mule Barn near Bright Angel Lodge.
It is also possible to ride down into the Canyon, but you will need to stay overnight. These overnight rides include accommodations and meals at Phantom Ranch, an enchanting lodge at the bottom of the canyon near the Colorado River. Reservations are required for almost all canyon rides, especially overnight rides. Expect to pay $400 to $500 dollars per person for a two day ride, or $40-$80 for day rides.
Despite the high price, many have found the experience well worth the money. The adventure involved in riding a mule 2,300 feet down into America’s largest canyon is unsurpassable.
