Gotta Pay Before You Hike
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/30/grand-canyon-to-charge-hikers-fee-for-rim-to-rim-trek/?intcmp=latestnews There is a fee to get into the GC park which has been the norm; now there appears to be...
Forum Discussion
jesseannie wrote:
When you enter the park you pay a fee, and when you camp you pay an additional fee. That is fair because only some camp. If Rim 2rim hikers pay that is fair because not everyone does that hike and it increases the manpower requirements of the NPS. I believe it is good user fee.
jesseannie
Excellent response!
We've hiked but only one way -down- to the canyon floor where we picked up our rafting trip beginning. We trained for that hike DOWN. Even down it is very strenuous. On our way we saw folks going down holding only a small water bottle - no backpack for emergencies - no hiking shoes and toting young children. Those are the kinds of people that the rangers have to babysit and nurse back to health.
We also hiked from the North Rim and saw a group coming up that had hiked from rim to rim. Some were puking from heat stroke and moaning. All were dragging their butts. These folks did not plan for that trip.
Rangers spend a lot of time on that trail to look for medical issues. They are stationed at the bottom of the canyon for days in order to be part of rescue teams.
I'm all for a charge for hiking rim to rim in the canyon.
