The Stunning Southwest: Grand Canyon South Rim Tours

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

We formed a row up against the worn, splintered split rail fence, like football teams at the line of scrimmage, we faced our opponents.  A half dozen pack mules stood at attention, their reins draped over the post, standing across from us patiently awaiting their instructions.

Like my gym teacher in middle school pairing us for square dancing, the head rancher assessed our riding ability and introduced us to our trusty steeds for the morning, I was paired with Biddy, sweet but spunky. I mounted the little beast and we all filed in a close line, making our way towards the trail head, on our way to the ride a mule along the rim of the Grand Canyon.

 

Or Would You Rather Be A Mule?

Aside from some experience horseback riding I’ve never been on, or even around a mule before.  I had a preconceived notion that the animals were stubborn and stupid, probably from this  Little Lulu cartoon my sister and I watched as kids.

 

So I’ve obviously gotten a chance to learn a lot more about these pack animals since this song from 1944… Mules, I’ve come to learn are smart and hard working creatures.  I also found out that a mule is a product of a horse mating with a donkey, and that mules themselves can’t procreate.  They have athleticism and endurance making them the perfect animal to carry packs and passengers up, down and around the Grand Canyon.

Mules have been used in the area since the late 1800’s, they were used to entice visitors who didn’t want to make the trek by foot by still wanted to experience the new terrain.  Since then there are several tours you can still take by mule both along the South and North Rim and an overnight trip into the Canyon with a stay at Phantom Ranch.  The wait list for the overnight can be up to a year long so it’s wise to plan early.

Is Mule Riding Ethical?

Using and riding animals is a major topic when it comes to ethical travel & responsible tourism. Many people don’t always condone riding animals. There are too many instances where animals are treated poorly and overworked. If you decide to participate in animal tourism like riding a horse or mule, consider these tips:

• Don’t be afraid to ask the appropriate questions about animal care. They should be properly cared for and in healthy condition. Avoid using an animal that has wounds or excessive scarring.
• Don’t overload an animal by having it carry too much, clients or supplies.
• Is it necessary? Is there another way to participate in the attraction or activity without being on the back of an animal?
• If you do partake in an animal tourism activity, consider donating to an organization like SPANA which works to improve the welfare of working animals & educate owners & handlers about proper practices. 
• Consider hiking with your own two feet instead of on four hooves

Environmental Concerns with Mule Riding

The other thing that needs to be addressed is the environmental ramifications of mules on the trails in the park. Erosion is a factor when trekking mules on the grounds. Technically, the Grand Canyon is an example of a massive erosion project, it is what caused the canyon to form. But, the heavy hooved animals have escalated this in certain areas. The parks department has created restrictions on where and how many mules can move through certain trails.

What about Mules at the Grand Canyon?

Mules have been a part of the history of the Grand Canyon for over a century. They have been a vital part of moving supplies through areas without accessibility. Mules have been bred for terrain and work specifically like this. They are sure footed and strong. The mules in the Grand Canyon are treated extremely well. The animals are given proper rest and are not overworked. They even have “Equine Therapists” that are essentially chiropractors for mules.

They have clean and spacious grounds where they are kept. When they “retire” from carrying supplies, they are taking riders on short tours. When working days are done, they are sent to neighboring farms to graze and relax.

 

Exploring the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Our group road along the rim, it was my first time seeing the Canyon in person and on the back of a mule who is walking adjacent to the edge with a mile long drop is an amazing viewing perspective not for the Acrophobic.  The guides were so knowledgeable, both having decades of experience on horses and pack animals, riding trails through the Grand Canyon day after day, knowing the landscape he would line up our mules along the ridge line sharing the geographical and anthropological history of the gorge, pointing out specific trails in the distance and indigenous plants that Native Americans and Canyon explorers would rely on.

 

 

So growing up you see the Grand Canyon in photos, videos, it’s in the background of some famous movies and your best friend probably went there on a summer road trip and told you all about it the first week back to school.  I knew the specs, the sheer size and I thought I could fathom its scale in my mind, but upon first view, I was still dumbfounded.  It is one of the only famous landmarks where with all of my attempts to visualize how I thought it would look in my head, in person it’s magnitude amazed me.  Then, when you get into the geological background your mind really gets blown.  It’s taken over 17 million years to create the Grand Canyon with other evidence of history dating back 2 BILLION years, including prehistoric traces.  You feel like a tiny speck.

 

At some parts the Grand Canyon stretches 18 miles across, and squinting into the floor there are sections where the Colorado River looks like a delicate string snaking through the jagged rock.  This is one of the main contributors in the creation of the canyon, the flow of water constantly cutting through creating a channel over time.  The ecosystems of the canyon are impressive.  There are five different zones throughout the region all with varying plants and wildlife dependent upon the elevation, temperature and rainfall.

Another mind blowing fact about the Grand Canyon is the National Park that surrounds and protects it.  There are over 1 million acres of land in the park space.  Driving through the park gives you a better idea of the size, I only had the opportunity to spend two full days exploring and quickly realized you could take your whole vacation camping and hiking.  It’s so massive is has its own school and library within the park.

Travel Tip: I used the library wifi to do some much needed work one afternoon, it’s quiet and a great place to relax.  The deer just graze around the parking lot so you can sit outside and have wildlife as your coworkers.  

 

The Particulars

How to get there?

By far the best and most iconic American way to see the Grand Canyon is by taking a good old fashioned road trip.  I drove through New Mexico and Arizona in a rental car and then flew out from Phoenix but the possible itineraries are endless.  Las Vegas is a short ride away and a popular destination point in conjunction with the canyon trip.  Get all of your information about the park on the National Park Service site.

When to go?

If you plan to stay in and around the park a little planning needs to be made in advance.  The South Rim is more popular than the North Rim so during the busy season the South will be a lot more crowded.  Most of the region is a desert climate, I was there in late September and it was still hot hiking in the afternoon heat.  The best times to go are March through May or September through November, when the temperatures are right and the crowds are thinning out.  Be aware that due to weather certain sections of the park close down, for instance the North Rim is closed from mid October and reopens mid May.

 

Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

The outdoor activities are endless and range from just shy of lazy to super hero hiker.  You can take transit throughout the grounds of the park, conveniently dropping you and picking you up at observation locations scattered throughout the canyon so you can view some of the more iconic areas.  There are hikes that start near visitor centers that vary in ability and if you want to get really serious, you can venture down into the canyon making for a tough adventure.  Check out the FAQs on the parks website.  There are mule rides, jeep excursions, rafting trips, and helicopter tours if you want to see the canyon from another perspective than on foot.  Whatever way you decide to do it, make sure you just enjoy the all the beauty.

 

Be a Better Visitor

Don’t forget when visiting parks and public lands there are a few things we can do to be better visitors. Leave no Trace is a program that provides suggestions for ethical travel outdoors. Simple things we need to remember, 7 principles to use so we have minimal impact.

While these are all public lands, we should also be mindful that these parks have a deep history with indigenous peoples. A great way to learn more about these lands is a site that shows exactly where native regions and territories are located.