Cruzenbye, I hope you won't take the following comments offensively. They are meant solely for the safety and welfare of you and your family! You admit that you are a newbie, yet you believe that you know more about Grand Canyon conditions, on the basis of a few dayhikes, than a highly experienced desert hiker who lives in Arizona and is far more familiar with the Grand Canyon than you are. If I were going to hike the Grand Canyon, Pika is the first person on this board whom I would contact for advice and information. I strongly recommend that you heed his advice. In my opinion (for what it's worth), you owe him an apology.