One Day 24.5 Miles

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic places in all the west. Having a chance to walk across it was quite the journey. We started at 5 am from the north rim and made out way down to the bottom of the canyon. As much as it sucks to get up early, the views and the sunrise was well worth it! Red rocks with greenery around and golden skies are hard to beat!

Overview

The Stats

24.5 miles 5000 ft elevation drop & 6031 ft elevation gain

13:45 hours

hiked end of September (27th)

started at 5am, ended 6:45pm right at sunset

temp: 40 degrees at the start at north rim, 90 degrees at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon

Where to Stay

North Rim

– Kaibab Lodge (provide shuttle services) *we stayed here and loved it – Grand Canyon Lodge – Jacobs Lake Inn –

South Rim

– Bright Angel Lodge – Yavapai Lodge – El Tovar – Maswik Lodge

Eat & Drink

Snack for the trail

– beef jerky -chocolate twizzlers (fav hiking treat) – wheat thins, triscuts (something salty is important) – ham, turkey, salami (for protein snacks) -granola bars -when hiking in heat and a long hike, you don’t feel like eating to much, but its important to eat anyway to keep up energy and avoid muscle fatigue -don’t over do it on packing snacks, everyone in our group brought more then they ate

Drinks

– There are watering holes where you can fill you water bottles, not all are open all the time, so make sure to fill you bottle every chance you get and check trail news before you to know which ones are working -Super important to bring electrolytes to put in your water from time to time to avoid muscle cramps and dehydration -Nuun, Gatorade packets, Hydrate Ripstix -Phantom Ranch has lemonade, bring a card for a refreshing treat

Top Tips

Don’t Forget

– take KT Tape for any knee or muscle problems, – 2 pair of socks, change them every 3 hours, safety pin the other pair to the outside of pack to air dry (socks get a little moist from sweating and cause blisters) – bring Ibuprofen – bring a headlamp -dress in layers, but don’t over due it, you’re only a little cold for the first hour, then have to pack the clothes all day -bring blister protection & prevention items

Editors Note

We hiked from the North Rim to the South Rim starting at the North Kaibab Trail and then at the Colorado River we went up the Angel Bright Trail to finish. (the bridge at the Colorado river splits the trail either to Angel Bright or the South Kaibab trail. The South Kaibab trail is shorter but steeper and doesn’t end right at the Grand Canyon Village) You will need to make arrangements to take a shuttle from one rim to the other. Some of our group flew into Vegas and drove to the South Rim, left their car and took a shuttle from South to the North Rim. I drove from Utah to the North Rim, met my group at the Kaibab Lodge, and in the morning left my car at the trailhead. After the hiked I stayed at the South Rim and the next morning took the shuttle back to my car.

Don’t Miss

Ribbon Falls, its a short side trail, (only about an extra 1/2 mile) worth seeing! You have to cross a small creek, don’t take the first trail called (the bridge) go to second trail (creek trail) its easier to cross the little stream, more rocks to walk on and not as deep

The Horseshoe Bend is the Iconic picture you see most often associated with the Grand Canyon. It’s not actually in the National Park, it is a 2.5 hour drive from either rim close to Page Arizona. Check it out and see if you want to fit it into your Itinerary.