Rim to Rim Natural History Backpack

September 10 - 15
Instructor: GCFI Staff
Hike Level: 4
Fee: $710.00 GCA Member; $735.00 non member

The rim-to-rim journey across the Grand Canyon is considered one of the quintessential hikes in North America—and for good reason. The North Kaibab and Bright Angel trails combine to exploit a rarified cross-canyon thoroughfare, one that harbors many delights for the experienced backpacker. Roaring Springs, Ribbon Falls, Phantom Ranch and Plateau Point are but a few of the treasures awaiting those who take part in this moderate-intensity backpack.

Topics will include geology, archaeology, pioneer and Native American history, and a discussion of the varied biotic communities that can be found along this 24-mile route. After being shuttled to the North Rim, the class will spend its first night at the North Rim Campground. During the precipitous descent into the canyon, participants hike from an aspen-clad forest to the banks of a desert stream in a few short hours. Nights are spent at Cottonwood, Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds respectively. The final day of class includes a 4.5-mile hike to the top via the historic Bright Angel Trail, each hiker traveling at his or her own pace. Note: recent, comparable backpacking experience is a prerequisite of all GCFI rim-to-rim backpacking classes.

Itinerary
Day 1 Introductions and classroom orientation and van shuttle to the North Rim Campground
Day 2 Descend to Cottonwood Campground via the North Kaibab Trail.
Day 3 Continue down the North Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground.
Day 4 Layover day at the bottom of the canyon.
Day 5 Hike up the Bright Angel Trail, crossing the Colorado River, to Indian Garden Campground.
Day 6 Continue up the Bright Angel Trail to the rim and wrap up session.

Plein Air painting Workshop on the Rim

September 16 - 21
Instructor: Linda Glover Gooch
Hike Level: 1
Fee: To be announced

The canyon has seduced, confounded, and rewarded painters since the late 1800s when tourists first began to arrive. The challenges of capturing one’s impressions of this vast and complicated landscape endure, as does the passion for trying. Painting the Grand Canyon Plein Air can is particularly challenging given the quickly-changing light and weather.

This first-time GCFI workshop is designed to give the student complete focus on the canyon while learning what to select from the canyon’s expansive view. Helping students arrange pleasing compositions while creating the feel, mood and essence of the Canyon is the main goal. Success will require hard work and dedication from each student. Careful consideration has been taken to select prime painting locations suitable for this class.

The daily schedule will be split into early morning and late afternoon painting sessions, with break time in-between. This will allow the students’ working hours to be during the richest and most dramatic times of day, while giving them some free time to explore the canyon. Demonstrations will also be used in the teaching process, as well as individual critiques and some lecture time. A natural and cultural history lecture, and tour of Kolb Studio, by GCFI director Mike Buchheit will help provide context for all as they record their impression of this iconic landscape.

This workshop is for intermediate to advanced painters, so outdoor painting experience is a prerequisite.

GCFI is offering this workshop in partnership with the Scottsdale Artist’s School. It is timed to immediately follow the 4th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Arts, a Plein Air event that is not to be missed.

Note: Online registration on the GCFI web site is not an option for this workshop. Inquiries regarding this workshop can be emailed to Audrey Lemler, alemler@scottsdaleartschool.org, or by calling Scottsdale Artist’s School at 480.990.1422. Information regarding registration and pricing details will be announced soon.

Women's Take a Load Off: Mule-Assisted Backpacking

September 17 - 20
Instructor: GCFI Staff
Hike Level: 3+
Fee: $670.00 GCA Member; $695.00 non member

With a little help from four-legged friends, participants in this class descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon for a two-night camping adventure beside picturesque Bright Angel Creek. This class begins with a thorough morning orientation after which camping gear is taken to the nearby mule corral for next-day delivery to the canyon floor. The afternoon is spent on an educational walking tour along the breathtaking South Rim. On the second day of class, participants hike seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail, enjoying a combination of sweeping views and intriguing facts about geology, ecology and human history. As pack mules are hauling the bulk of the group’s camping gear and food, participants can devote more time and energy to uncovering the canyon’s secrets. Upon retrieving their camping gear at historic Phantom Ranch, the class will set up camp for a two-night stay at Bright Angel Campground. For the remainder of the day and all of the next, the focus will be on learning about the geologic formation of the canyon from the inside out. The diverse flora and fauna of the canyon, and the human inhabitants it has sustained for millennia, will also be discussed at length. Destinations will likely include the refreshing pools of Phantom Creek, ancient archaeological sites and the melodic shoreline of the Colorado River. The class will return to the South Rim via the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail, which reveals its own array of biotic communities and geologic wonders.

Itinerary
Day 1 Introductions and orientation
Day 2 Descend South Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground
Day 3 Exploratory dayhiking near Phantom Ranch
Day 4 Ascend Bright Angel Trail to the rim and wrap up session