Grand Canyon Mule Trip to Phantom Ranch

northwest1965

This is on my husband's bucket list.

Has anyone done this with no experience of horses and riding?

How scary was it?:eek:

*j*

Since no one else is responding, I did this about 15 years ago. No previous riding experience.

It was mules they used. They are neither big nor tall, so even if you fell off it wouldn't be far. The mules simply follow each other nicely in a line most of the time, but need the occasional bit of steering when they decide to take a short cut or see a tasty bit of something to eat. They know the routine and didn't seem to want to throw their riders over the edge.

Scary? Not after a few minutes practice.

Booking was done months in advance. You had to register the day before and were given a plastic bag which was all you could use to carry everything. When you put a towel in it there wasn't much room for anything else. It was Feb or March and there was snow at the rim and 20 Centigrade at Phantom Ranch.

The cabins at the bottom were the originals from about 1920 and were simple but comfortable enough. The evening meal was steak, sweetcorn and baked potato, with a vegetarian option of the same steak dinner without the steak.

Because there was no light pollution it was a great view of the stars at night.

Next morning it's back up after breakfast. The parts you sit on on the way down are a bit sore, but it's slightly different parts that get sore going back up the track.

Nothing to fear...I doubt many of the tourists are competent riders.

There must be many videos to have a look at on You Tube

northwest1965

Thanks for the reply.

I have seen a few youtube videos. I really would love to have the courage to just book it:)
Booking will be in September for September next year and we (I) can cancel up to 48 hours before.

Would you do it again?

*j*

What's so different between a mule ride and a child's donkey ride at the beach? If the mules can convey everyone else safely down and up, I'm sure they can convey you too!

Would I do it again? Yes, of course. I hadn't even thought about it being scary. I just wanted to go down to the bottom to get a better understanding of the size of the canyon. It's hard to comprehend from just standing at the rim.

northwest1965

OK I am convinced, you only live once.

*note to self....look at the wall going round oh jesus corner!":rotfl::rotfl:

bigadaj

Wouldn't it be easier just to walk down at least?

northwest1965

bigadaj wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier just to walk down at least?

Have you been??

*j*

Sadly I don't think they do up only one way mule rides.

photome

bigadaj wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier just to walk down at least?

Its a strenuous 10 mile trail to the ranch, wouldnt say it would be easy for anyone

bigadaj

photome wrote: »

Its a strenuous 10 mile trail to the ranch, wouldnt say it would be easy for anyone

Fair enough but why not just ride for that bit.

Riding up a steep trail doesn't seem so bad but coming down is less natural and seems to me more hazardous, as a rider wouldn't you normally dismount as there is far less energy saved?

It's like the principle of cows being able to climb stairs but not come down them, just seems easier.

northwest1965

bigadaj wrote: »

Fair enough but why not just ride for that bit.

Riding up a steep trail doesn't seem so bad but coming down is less natural and seems to me more hazardous, as a rider wouldn't you normally dismount as there is far less energy saved?

It's like the principle of cows being able to climb stairs but not come down them, just seems easier.

Don't do one way mules for less than 5 people