It turns out my friends did go up the South Kaibab Trail.  This was a really good trip despite the bad weather the last day.  Everyone had a good time.  I enjoyed completing this lengthy section of the Tonto Trail.  I had no blister, toenail, or knee problems.  Our trip highlights were:

• Horseshoe Mesa with all the remnants from its prior mining activity, the copper laden rocks, and Cave of the Domes.

• The massiveness and depth of Grapevine Canyon.

• Lonetree Canyon with its pools of water and name inscription of Peter Berry.

• The agave roasting pit I saw.

• The great views of the Canyon features north of the Colorado River.  There are some good ones south of the river too.

     If you are doing this hike, I have the following recommendations:

• This hike is suitable for either direction.  The Tonto Trail is generally easy walking.  There is no water on the Grandview Trail, Horseshoe Mesa, or the South Kaibab Trail, so plan accordingly.

• The only reliable water sources on the Tonto Trail are Grapevine Creek and Pipe Creek.  We also had water at Cottonwood Creek, the spring at Boulder Creek, and Lonetree Canyon, but you would be well advised to check with the Backcountry Office or hikers who have recently done this hike to see where water will be available.

• My map maker rates the descent from Horseshoe Mesa to Cottonwood Creek as a Double Black Diamond, but I would say it barely merits a Black Diamond.  We did not find this difficult at all.

• The trail on the east side of Grapevine Canyon near its mouth is a little narrow and exposed.  If you are uncomfortable with narrow trails or have a fear of heights, this might not be the trail for you.  The distance from mouth to mouth around Grapevine Canyon is 5.3 miles.

• Neither my map maker nor any trip reports I have read discuss the difficulty of an area in the Cremation use area.  The descents and climbs on the two western fingers of Cremation Creek are very steep and difficult.  I would rate both of these drainages a Double Black Diamond.  Extreme care should be taken here as these were clearly the most difficult sections of our entire trip.

• Grand Canyon weather can and does change.  On longer hikes especially, it is a good idea to have complete rain gear and a waterproof pack cover.

• The mice and ravens are renown for their destructiveness at several areas on this hike.  The Park Service announced beginning January 1, 2006, they would be removing the metal ammo food storage cans at all non-corridor trail campsites.  Although there was still one at Horseshoe Mesa at one of the campsites, you would be well advised to bring some kind of food protection measures.  I brought a Ratsack Cache bag, a mesh stainless steel bag, which comes in three sizes.  Another bag that is popular is the Ursack.  I prefer the Ratsack because it is larger, cheaper, and has a superior Velcro closure system.

• Our trip itinerary was just about right, especially if I had spent the night at Indian Garden as originally planned.  I have found it best to keep the length of each day's hike moderate.  That allows time to enjoy the scenery, explore some, and not be completely worn out.  It is simply no fun to pull into camp around dark and get up early the next day to do the same thing again.

     Next fall I am looking forward to doing the Havasu Canyon hike with my daughter and one or two other hikes in the Canyon.

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