Q Several weeks ago you wrote about hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I once read about hiking rim-to-rim-from the South Rim to the North Rim. It sounds like a terrific trip. Have you done it? How hard is it? — J.H., Annapolis
A Yes, I hiked recently from the South Rim to the North Rim, and it’s a long, hard trek even if you take two days to do it — as I and a hiking buddy did. The scenery, of course, makes the effort well worth while. We’re going back in two years to do it again.
Rangers at Grand Canyon National Park warn against attempting the hike in a single day, especially during the scorching summer months, but some super jocks do it anyway. I certainly couldn’t, and I run several miles almost every day to keep in shape.
The distance down from the South Rim on South Kaibab Trail to the bottom of the canyon and the Colorado River is seven miles. The trail is steep, rocky and exhausting. Moving steadily, it took us five hours to reach Phantom Ranch on the far side of the river (cross by bridge). Hikers stay in 10-person dorms-two for males and two for females. Dinner and breakfast are provided.
Hikers are awakened at 4:30 a.m.; breakfast is at 5, and we were on the trail at 5:55, as soon as it was light enough to see the way. The trail up to the North Rim is 14 miles long. The first seven miles wind through the canyon of Bright Angel Creek, climbing steadily but not too steeply. We covered ground fairly rapidly. The next seven miles are a tortuous switchback ascent of the canyon wall, a real stairway kind of slog. We made less than a mile an hour. The full 14 miles took 10 hours.
Before you try it,test your ability on a 14-mile uphill hike carrying a light pack with a minimum of three quarts of water. If you go, hike in spring or fall when temperatures drop, not the summer. On the ascent, I carried three quarts of water, refilling twice on the trail; my total intake, nine quarts in 10 hours, and it was just enough. Details: 928-638-7888, www.nps.gov/grca
Q Our son is a freshman at a California university. He will be flying home on visits occasionally. We can’t always pick him up at Dulles. What is the cheapest way to get from the airport into downtown Washington (where my husband and I work)?
— M.L., Bethesda
A It’s inconvenient but cheap: Your son can make use of bus and Metrorail to get him into downtown Washington. At Dulles, he boards a bus operated by Washington Flyer (888/WASHFLY, www.washfly.com). Departures are every 30 minutes from 7:45 a.m. to 10:40 p.m. The bus will take him to the West Falls Church Metrorail station, a non-stop ride of about 20 minutes. The one-way fare is $9; round-trip, $16. From there, he catches the Orange Line into the city; Metrorail fare is an additional $1.85. It beats a $50 taxi ride.
Q My brother and I have done some New England skiing. Now I want to try the Rocky Mountains; he wants to ski in the Alps. He is older and makes more money than I do. Is a European trip going to cost me more than a week at Steamboat or Keystone in Colorado? — A.A., Arlington
A There are so many variables in a ski trip, I can’t tell you for sure one destination will cost more. But based on experience, I think you’re apt to find Europe more expensive. Air fare to Europe’s slopes will certainly set you back more; on the other hand, lift tickets there tend to be cheaper. A rental car and fuel definitely are cheaper in Colorado. Lodging and meals in Colorado should be more affordable, too. My advice: Tell Brother the Rockies are all you can afford this year, andthen promise him you will save your money for a 2008 trip to Europe.
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