Grand Canyon Rim to Rim FAQ

Thanks for considering the Voice of Wilderness Grand Canyon Rim to Rim trip!  

If you have not yet done so, please visit the Voice of Wilderness site for registration information.

The purpose of this post is to give you additional information beyond the website and brochure.  If you’re seriously considering registering for the trip but have additional questions, I hope they’ll be answered below.  

Overview

The Grand Canyon is definitely grand at the rims.  When you're down in the canyon itself, though, you won't believe how amazing the place is.  Voice of Wilderness founder Chet Russell went with me on the scouting trip in 2010 - his comment was that the place was so different and so magnificent, it was as though we were hiking someplace "out of this world."

The geology is absolutely amazing, the flora and fauna intriguing, and the colors stunning.  The climate is very arid (see below in Health & Safety), but you won't believe how much life and how much water you'll see in the canyon.  And like many places with no light pollution and seemingly perpetual high atmospheric pressure, you simply can't believe how bright the stars are at night.  I saw two satellites crossing the sky one night.

Hiking from rim to rim is also a noteworthy accomplishment.  The trip itself is just about 25 miles, which we'll cover in 3 1/2 days.  On the first day, we'll cover 5 trail miles and drop about 3,000 feet in elevation - a nice first day to get your legs ready.  Hiking out to the North Rim on the last day, we'll cover more trail miles and more vertical feet, but you'll have your "hiking legs" and lighter packs by then!

We'll also visit some historical sites, including the fabled Phantom Ranch, and will enjoy the view of the river from Plateau Point.  There are some other surprises, but if I told you about them, well, you know!

Dates

The 2014 trip is scheduled to begin at about 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2013.  We will meet at the food court in the Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim.  We expect to complete the trip at around Noon on Friday, September 19.  These dates have now been confirmed. Please feel free to make travel arrangements accordingly (see "Travel" section below).  

Fitness 

Due to the climate and the significant changes in elevation, we recommend this trip only for well-conditioned individuals.  I recommend that your pre-trip training include – at a minimum – the goal of being able to jog 5 miles without stopping.  You will also benefit from cardio work on stair machines or cycling.  It's hard to replicate the muscle strain of hiking up and down, but I certainly recommend you include lunges and well as squats in your training.  Backpacking is a sport of the legs – your hip belt, not your shoulder straps, should bear the weight of the pack, so it’s important to take care of and prepare your legs.  

Cost 

The cost of $725 includes the following:

• Backcountry permit and reservation fees
• Programming costs (insurance, equipment, etc.)
• Meals at South Rim and North Rim restaurants 
• 1 Night at a South Rim Lodge (double / tripple occupancy) 
• Meals and supplies during the trip 
• Campground fees (North Rim) 
• Grand-Canyon Shuttle ticket to North Rim

The cost does not include transportation to and from the Grand Canyon, nor does it include the park entry fee ($25). 

Travel

As mentioned in the “Dates” section, please do not make travel arrangements until you receive confirmation on the dates of the trip.  

The closest airport is Flagstaff (FLG), which is 90 minutes south of the park.  Phoenix (PHX) is about 4 1/2 hours away and Las Vegas (LAS) is roughly 5 ½ hours.  The drive from Phoenix through Sedona and Flagstaff is very pretty, passing through several desert environments.  

Arizona Shuttle offers one way trips between Flagstaff and the South Rim.  Please see the website for schedules and fees.   

The back country travel office at the South Rim has a long-term parking lot which participants may utilize at no charge between Sunday and Friday.  

Itinerary

Below is an approximate itinerary for the trip.  Times will change slightly from trip to trip.  For example, in order to increase our odds of getting our preferred dates and campsites, we may change directions (South to North) or spend two nights in one campground.  You'll note that we start insanely early each morning and don't do any backpacking during the afternoon. We will do some hiking & exploring in the afternoon, but the kind of exertion that comes with backpacking is dangerous in the heat of the day. 

Sunday

• 5:30 p.m. – Meet at the cafeteria of the Yavapai Lodge for dinner & orientation
• 7:00 p.m. – Drive to campsite in Mather Campground to pass out gear

Monday

• 5:30 a.m.– Wake up call, pack gear, and move cars to back country parking lot
• 6:00 a.m. – Breakfast – Maswik Cafeteria  
• 7:00 a.m. – Begin hike at Bright Angel trail head
• 10:30 a.m. – Arrive at Indian Garden Campground
• 11:30 a.m. – Lunch 
• 5:00 p.m. – Dinner
• Dusk - Devotion

Tuesday

• 4:00 a.m. – Wake up call, pack gear, breakfast
• 5:00 a.m. – Bright Angel Trail to Bright Angel Campground
• 10:30 a.m. – Arrive at Bright Angel Campground
• 11:30 a.m. - Lunch
• 5:00 p.m. – Dinner
• Dusk – Devotion 

Wednesday

• 4:00 a.m. – Wake up call, pack gear, breakfast
• 5:00 a.m. – Bright Angel Trail to Cottonwood Campground
• 9:30 a.m. – Detour to Ribbon Falls
• 11:30 a.m. – Cottonwood Campground / lunch
• 5:00 p.m. – Dinner
• Dusk – Devotion

Thursday

• 3:30 a.m. – Wake up call, pack gear, breakfast
• 4:30 a.m. – Bright Angel Trail to Cottonwood Campground
• 11:30 a.m. – North Rim campground: lunch & showers
• 5:00 p.m. – Dinner at Grand Canyon Lodge
• Dusk – Devotion

Friday

• 6:00 a.m. – Wake up call, pack gear, breakfast
• 7:00 a.m. – Board Trans-Canyon Shuttle for South Rim
• 11:30 a.m. – Arrive back at South Rim: collect gear, end of  trip

Safety & Health

There are one primary and several secondary safety concerns:

Primary concern: dehydration / heat exhaustion.  The Grand Canyon is very dry.  You may have heard the hiking adage that once you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.  That is never truer than when you’re in the desert.  You may not notice much sweat, but that’s simply because the stuff evaporates rapidly once it leaves the pores in your skin.  In the desert we gauge hydration levels by paying attention to urine – what color it is and how often are you are going.  The guides on your trip will be asking you about these details discretely, and while it’s a little weird at first, you have to understand that this is information they need to know in order to keep you healthy.   

Having said that, you should also know that there is ample drinking water available on our trip.  In addition to the potable water sources along the trail, we will carry water filtration systems.  As well, you’ll be asked to drink 1 liter of electrolyte enhanced water prior to beginning the day’s hike.  You simply can’t cut corners when it comes to staying hydrated. 

The secondary concerns are:

• Critters: the Grand Canyon is home to rattlesnakes and scorpions.  We will practice caution when in situations where we might encounter these guys.
• Fatigue: you can expect your muscles, tendons, and joints to be tired, especially on the first and second days.  Time in the creek and Advil / Tylenol usually do the trick.  
• Falls: portions of the trail will be along steep drop offs, however the trail is always 4+ feet wide, and more often than you’ll probably expect, along level ground.  If you’re concerned that you might have altophobia, we recommend that you lightly touch the rock wall as you hike.  We strictly enforce the safety practice of staying 3+ feet back from the edge of cliffs, no matter how safe they appear.
• Minor injuries: cuts, blisters, chaffing, etc.  Clip your toenails before the trip – you’ll thank me for that tip.  Blisters are a small thing at home, but can become a big problem when hiking.  As soon as you notice a hot spot starting, tell one of the guides.  The way to handle chaffing is to keep the area dry.  Powder and products like Bodyglide do work, but going "commando" works the best.  Seriously. 
• Sunburn: sunscreen is a must, as is a hat.  We recommend a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses.

The National Park Service requires that all guides meet minimum medical training, which they define as having a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) designation or higher.  For more information on the WFR, please see the Wilderness Medical Associates site.

Gear List

Voice of Wilderness will provide you with tents, backpacks, and all group gear (cook sets, first aid, water filters, maps, guide books).  

Equipment

• Light weight sleeping bag or blanket – 45 degrees
• Any combination of water bottles / Camelback bladders that have a min. total volume of 4L.
• 2 lashing straps for securing sleeping bag to pack
• Sleeping pad
• Metal cup / bowl & spoon
• Headlamp / small flashlight
• Whistle

Clothing

• Hat or cap (crushable) with wide brim
• Sunglasses
• Stocking cap - optional for sleeping on the North Rim
• Rain poncho - likely won't need, but light and good in case
• 1 long sleeve cotton shirt
• 2 short sleeve cotton shirts
• Hiking in the desert is different from hiking in areas with more humidity. In the canyon, we don't want wicking, we want to keep moisture next to our bodies for as long as we can.
• 2 pair of hiking shorts
• I like the pants that zip off at the knees for flexibility
• 2-3 pair of underwear
• 2 pair of socks
• I use smart wool socks, and don't need liners. Otherwise, you can wear one pair of polypro liners and an outer pair of wool socks.
• Light sandels / water socks - suitable for creek crossings. No flip flops
• Hiking boots / shoes
• Can be light weight, but should give solid ankle support and have a sturdy shank for heavy loads.
• If you buy new boots, begin wearing them every day for 20 – 30 minutes, two weeks before the trip, to break them in.  You want these fully broken in during the trip. On one trip, a young woman took her new shoes out of the box, put them on, and started hiking down the Grand Canyon. She developed multiple blisters, one of which was the size of a half dollar.

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toilet paper (1/3 of a roll in a zip lock bag)
• Hand sanitizer / bio degradable liquid soap
• Sanitary supplies
• Light weight hand towel

Medical

• Moleskin
• ACE bandage / vet wrap
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen
• I will also have a team medical bag
• Personal medicine

Educational

• Notebook
• Pencil / pen
• Pocket sized Bible

Optional

• Pocket knife
• Mirror (small, metal)
• Camera
• Portable phone charger
• Trekking poles
• Small amount of cash - North Rim showers & gift store

Weather

During August night time temperatures on the North Rim can dip into the upper 40s, while daytime temperatures down by the Colorado river will easily exceed 100 degrees.  I’m usually warm enough at night on the North Rim with a light / zippered fleece sleeping blanket and a stocking cap.  If you choose to bring a sleeping bag, it should be light weight and does not need to insulate below 40 degrees. The Colorado Plateau region experiences "monsoons" during July and August. Most of the rain will evaporate before it reaches the floor of the inner canyon, but a light poncho on the South and North Rims is advisable. 

Miscellaneous

If you’re slightly nervous about the hike and take these cautions seriously – you’ll have a great trip.  If you are the type that laughs at danger, you may well get yourself hurt.  Be humble, follow directions, and enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience.    

We are limited to 5 total participants this year.  If you’re serious about going, I would encourage you to go ahead and register.  You can cancel with a full refund up to 45 days prior to the trip. 

 

Here’s a link to the Grand Canyon back country brochure.

Historically most of the participants on this trip have been men.  However, women are very definitely welcome to come, too.  We do ask that any couples coming on the trip be married.