I'm hoping to do a 5 day backpacking trip in the grand canyon some time this year. I'm a Seattleite and am not used to intense heat. Does anyone know the best time of year to go? Or the best spots?

na cant help ya,but that is something I am looking forward to doing some day soon,I want to actualy go white water rafting to,but so much want to get back to mountain biking and backpacking

Yeah, I was considering packing a raft if I can find a decent light weight one.

spring or fall

never summer
never winter

Better check, cause reservations are required to go on most trails and they book a year ahead or more

She's right....not only is it WAAAYYYYY too hot in the summer, but the tourists would be terrible. Have fun!

It's been a few years since I led people down, but last venture they required reservations dates be made 6 months prior to your hike. There's always the chance of cancellations, but you never know. The harder and less public the trail, the greater the opportunity...also usually the least amount of known water sources on the trail besides making down to the colorado river.

Midspring and during the fall are prime times to head down into the GC. Fewer people and temperatures are good. Up top it's chilly even in the summer, but down in the bottom it's sweltering. Summer can be done, but plan on hiking early mornings...lunching/napping/hidding under rocks for shade then hiking after the sun has cooled can be done though.

Have a blast!

I went to the Grand Canyon at the beginning of August. It was hot but the humidity was low. I wasn't backpacking though.