Riding a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon vacation

Mav2007 · 09-04-2008, 08:13 AM

My sister is taking one of those mule treks in a few weeks. She gets to ride a mule for 5 or 6 hours, down to the bottom of the grand canyon, then she stays at the lodging overnight. The next day, she gets back on the mule and rides another 5 hours back up to the top. If you add up all the riding she's done in the past 20 years it might add up to one of those trips. I told her that she's going to be sore from that many hours on a mule. She said she'd come up and ride my horse next week to help break in her legs. Oh, yeah, that will help.

Has anyone done this before or any other horse riding vacation?

**gbarmranch** · 09-04-2008, 08:14 AM

No - but wanted to. There is sometimes a wait of months to be able to book one of those rides.. and they do have a weight limit for riders..

After looking at where they ride though

I am glad I never did get to go..

Tell her to take lots of photos.. I bet it will be awesome..

Mav2007 · 09-04-2008, 08:21 AM

Yeah, she wanted to stay 2 nights, but that option wasn't available until after Feb 2009. She set this up months ago, probably 7 or 8 months ago. There is a weight limit of 200lbs and you have to be proportionate to your height. She's a skinny noodle and I asked her if she even weighed enough to go. I would hate to see the wind blow her over the side.

**gbarmranch** · 09-04-2008, 08:22 AM

Have you seen how steep and narrow those trails are..

They may need to strap her to the mule..

Mav2007 · 09-04-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

Have you seen how steep and narrow those trails are..

They may need to strap her to the mule..

No, I'm going to try and find the website so I can see some of the pictures. I rode on a regular trail in Colorado once, technically we were on the side of a mountain, but the path was pretty wide. While we were riding a lady told the story of how her mom fell over the side of the mountain when her horse took a wrong step. The horse died and her mom was stuck for 8 hours before they could get down to rescue her. She had a broken pelvis and numerous other broken bones, but she lived. I didn't tell my sister that story. I don't want to scare her.

**gbarmranch** · 09-04-2008, 08:31 AM

Good heavens..

DappleGrayMyWay · 09-04-2008, 03:20 PM

I've been on a mule trip once, when I was maybe 11 or 12 years old. I got to ride "point" for the string, which meant I was the lead rider. We went up into the wilderness area to break down the camp for the winter. My mom worked for the Forest Service and we got to go along because the mule drover needed the extra help and was willing to have tagalongs, and it was a bonus that I was a rider he didn't need to supervise!

it's a small photo, sorry, but here we are

Mules are great, and the ones that do the rim trip at GC are super well trained. Tell her photos are a must!!

rm185western · 09-04-2008, 03:48 PM

I always wanted to do that ride, til we went there and looked at the trails, and the beware of rattle snake sign on the trail.

You couldn't pay me enough money to ride down there, h*ll I was even struggling to look over the edge.

It's a beautiful place, hope she enjoys her trek

RockwoodDawn · 09-04-2008, 03:50 PM

My husband and I did it about 20 years ago. It was great. I do ride, and have since I was a kid, but that ride is different. It is easy the mules "pack" you. You just sit there. That does not mean you don't get sore, just sore in a different way. When I got to the bottom, my knees would hardley hold me up. Coming back up was easier, but there was one area where the path falls off on both sides and the wind does blow. That was a bit scary.

Crookedblaze · 09-04-2008, 03:56 PM

I have backpacked up and down the grand canyon and I have seen those insane mules, it scared me too much to want to try! But this time of year the canyon will be gorgeous, not snow yet but cool enough to feel comfortable.

shadow · 09-04-2008, 04:00 PM

My daughter did that last year. Have her wear padded pants, as she will get real sore. We have ridden for 30 years, and she still got sore. Those mules are SLOW and stubborn. You don't have your own saddle to sit on.

Goodheart · 09-04-2008, 04:04 PM

I went on that same trip about 20 years ago and it is still on my top three vacations ever!! Super fun and a little challenging. Heat can be a problem-hats are required and everyone carries their own water. There are a few points on the trail where the cliffs fall away on both sides

and there are many high,narrow hairpin turns that are a little creepy. The high point is riding over a suspended bridge with a looong view down. The mules know the trail so tell your sister to relax and enjoy the stunning views inside the canyon

texagal7 · 09-04-2008, 04:13 PM

my brother and his family did the mule ride about 5 yrs ago and he said it was awesome, the mule owners have yet to loose a rider but you do have to face them out to the open part so they don't back up. I seen pictures and it looked so exciting and beautiful. Oh and the Discovery or Travel channel did a show about riding mules, hiking, various ways to travel to the bottom of the canyon.

secondhandranch · 09-04-2008, 07:13 PM

we went to the g.c. a couple years ago. i wanted to ride down so bad, but we weren't going to be there the right time to go. i heard those mules have to train for a couple years up and down before the ever even carry a rider. also make sure she brings a sweater. we went in ther middle of summer and it got like 58 degrees at night. we had to buy them at the gift shop!!

horsey-gal · 09-04-2008, 07:31 PM

Here is a great site that tells all about the ride http://gosw.about.com/od/grandcanyon/a/grmuletrip.htm

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09-04-2008, 08:13 AM
Mav2007 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,448	Riding a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon vacation My sister is taking one of those mule treks in a few weeks. She gets to ride a mule for 5 or 6 hours, down to the bottom of the grand canyon, then she stays at the lodging overnight. The next day, she gets back on the mule and rides another 5 hours back up to the top. If you add up all the riding she's done in the past 20 years it might add up to one of those trips. I told her that she's going to be sore from that many hours on a mule. She said she'd come up and ride my horse next week to help break in her legs. Oh, yeah, that will help. Has anyone done this before or any other horse riding vacation?

09-04-2008, 08:14 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	No - but wanted to. There is sometimes a wait of months to be able to book one of those rides.. and they do have a weight limit for riders.. After looking at where they ride though I am glad I never did get to go.. Tell her to take lots of photos.. I bet it will be awesome.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-04-2008, 08:21 AM
Mav2007 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,448	Yeah, she wanted to stay 2 nights, but that option wasn't available until after Feb 2009. She set this up months ago, probably 7 or 8 months ago. There is a weight limit of 200lbs and you have to be proportionate to your height. She's a skinny noodle and I asked her if she even weighed enough to go. I would hate to see the wind blow her over the side.

09-04-2008, 08:22 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	Have you seen how steep and narrow those trails are.. They may need to strap her to the mule.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-04-2008, 08:31 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	Good heavens.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-04-2008, 03:20 PM
DappleGrayMyWay Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC (Asheville) Posts: 856	I've been on a mule trip once, when I was maybe 11 or 12 years old. I got to ride "point" for the string, which meant I was the lead rider. We went up into the wilderness area to break down the camp for the winter. My mom worked for the Forest Service and we got to go along because the mule drover needed the extra help and was willing to have tagalongs, and it was a bonus that I was a rider he didn't need to supervise! it's a small photo, sorry, but here we are Mules are great, and the ones that do the rim trip at GC are super well trained. Tell her photos are a must!! __________________ My sanity is with my horse, and if you see them, please send them back to the barn. Tule Pepper

09-04-2008, 03:48 PM
rm185western Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 3,512	I always wanted to do that ride, til we went there and looked at the trails, and the beware of rattle snake sign on the trail. You couldn't pay me enough money to ride down there, h*ll I was even struggling to look over the edge. It's a beautiful place, hope she enjoys her trek __________________ ________________________________ Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check?

09-04-2008, 03:50 PM
RockwoodDawn Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ledyard CT Posts: 152	My husband and I did it about 20 years ago. It was great. I do ride, and have since I was a kid, but that ride is different. It is easy the mules "pack" you. You just sit there. That does not mean you don't get sore, just sore in a different way. When I got to the bottom, my knees would hardley hold me up. Coming back up was easier, but there was one area where the path falls off on both sides and the wind does blow. That was a bit scary.

09-04-2008, 03:56 PM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,360	I have backpacked up and down the grand canyon and I have seen those insane mules, it scared me too much to want to try! But this time of year the canyon will be gorgeous, not snow yet but cool enough to feel comfortable. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

09-04-2008, 04:00 PM
shadow Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SW ohio Posts: 287	My daughter did that last year. Have her wear padded pants, as she will get real sore. We have ridden for 30 years, and she still got sore. Those mules are SLOW and stubborn. You don't have your own saddle to sit on.

09-04-2008, 04:04 PM
Goodheart Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 54	I went on that same trip about 20 years ago and it is still on my top three vacations ever!! Super fun and a little challenging. Heat can be a problem-hats are required and everyone carries their own water. There are a few points on the trail where the cliffs fall away on both sides and there are many high,narrow hairpin turns that are a little creepy. The high point is riding over a suspended bridge with a looong view down. The mules know the trail so tell your sister to relax and enjoy the stunning views inside the canyon

09-04-2008, 04:13 PM
texagal7 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 342	my brother and his family did the mule ride about 5 yrs ago and he said it was awesome, the mule owners have yet to loose a rider but you do have to face them out to the open part so they don't back up. I seen pictures and it looked so exciting and beautiful. Oh and the Discovery or Travel channel did a show about riding mules, hiking, various ways to travel to the bottom of the canyon.

09-04-2008, 07:13 PM
secondhandranch Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: homosassa, fl Posts: 32	we went to the g.c. a couple years ago. i wanted to ride down so bad, but we weren't going to be there the right time to go. i heard those mules have to train for a couple years up and down before the ever even carry a rider. also make sure she brings a sweater. we went in ther middle of summer and it got like 58 degrees at night. we had to buy them at the gift shop!!

09-04-2008, 07:31 PM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,623	Here is a great site that tells all about the ride http://gosw.about.com/od/grandcanyon/a/grmuletrip.htm __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "