I did a rim-to-rim hike (overnight stay at the bottom in Phantom Ranch) back in 2005.

We had a few party members that were begging and bribing to get a mule ride back out. No dice, you gotta come out of the canyon the same way you came in, barring any medical emergency (which gets you a chopper ride to the South Rim).

That applies to going in via mule, too -- if you get 2hrs into it and get saddle sores, "too bad". You're riding the mule out.

Just walk behind one of the mules and hang onto his tail. He won't kick and will haul you up the hill. I did this many times when I was guiding hunters. We didn't take pack horses along on the day hunt, so if the client shot an elk, we would "saddle pack" 1/2 elk at a time on the guide's horse, so he had to walk. I would grab the horse's tail, lean back, and the horse would haul me up the mountain. Hardly broke a sweat.



Pap

Some folks around here would pay money to see those pics. Worth the price of admission. Too bad they didn't have You Tube back in the day; you'd be famous. LMAO

When asked how Pappy got up the the hill he replied, " some jackass pulled me along"

Haha, not far from the truth. After gutting, cutting and lifting a half an elk on to a saddleled horse, any help is appreciated, even a jack ass. After getting back to camp, the split for us 2guides, was one cooked and the other took care of the horse's. Neither was a piece of cake, and in the morning it switched again. The cook had to get up early to start the fire, coffee, breakfast, and get sack lunches for the dudes. Glad I did this, but not nearly as fun as being a fishing guide. Another story.

Pap

Fishing RULES!

Hanging onto a tail might work with a horse, but there's an old saying around these parts that goes, "A mule will be your best friend his whole life so he can kick you in the head just once."

Agreed, as much as I like hunting, offshore fishing is my thrill. Let the boat haul it back.

For some reason, a packed horse or mule, going up hill, with someone hanging on their tail, doesn't have time to think about kicking. Now on flat ground, no reason to hang on a tail, so watch out.

Pap

That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.

Afternoon coffee through the nose still hurts, but doesn't burn so much.

Rob,

Yeah, I can't get that mental image out of my head.