Hiking the Grand Canyon Tips

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What's a good trail to follow after the sun goes down in Grand Canyon?

Moonlight Rim Walk

One of the finest ways to enjoy the rim walk is to follow it from the park headquarters to the village on a moonlight night. It's easy to see the walk as it winds thorough the pinyon forest of the rim, while the canyon is bathed in shadow and light.

If you're lucky, you can see a lightening storm on the North Rim on your walk. Watching the lighting hit its target without the sound of booming thunder is an eerie and yet magical way to spend an evening.

You don't have to disappear inside when the sun goes down. Take a moonlit walk on a warm summer evening and you'll discover a whole other side to the Grand Canyon.

   
Do I need a backcountry permit for a day hike at the Grand Canyon?

Day Hiking at the Grand Canyon

Day hikes at the Grand Canyon don't require backcountry hiking permits. If you're not planning on spending the night below the rim, you don't need to worry about getting a permit for your hiking date.

You also don't need a backcountry permit if you plan on spending the night at Phantom Ranch in the dormitories or cabins, or are taking a mule trip into the canyon.

Day hikes are a great way to experience an inner gorge experience without the rigors of a trip all the way to the Colorado River. Some of the most popular hikes from the South Rim are along the "corridor" trails – Bright Angel and North and South Kaibab. A day hike on the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens or Plateau Point is a good way to view the environment below the rim, and the hikes, while rigorous, are easier than going all the way to the river and back.

Day hikes along the rim trail are popular too, and the entire family can join in less rigorous hikes like these. The most popular trail is the Rim Walk that stretches from the Yavapai Museum to the Village and on to the West Rim.

   
Why do I need to filter my drinking water when I hike in the Grand Canyon?

Safe Drinking Water

Many Grand Canyon hiking trails have water available along the way. Much of this water comes from natural springs and creeks, and must be filtered before drinking. NEVER drink unfiltered water from any of the creeks and streams in the canyon. It can carry a variety of bacteria that can make you very ill.

To filter canyon water, first, allow the solids to settle in the water. It should be clear, rather than cloudy, before you begin to filter it. Next, the Park Service says to use an "'Absolute' 1-micron filter, or one labeled as meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI/NSF) International Standard #53 for 'Cyst Removal.'" Then, you should disinfect the filtered water with two drops of regular household bleach per gallon of water. Finally, allow the water to sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking.

If you carry in your own water, you won't have to worry about filtering the water for safety, but on long hikes, you may not be able to carry enough water to meet your needs, it would simply be too cumbersome and heavy to hike with. If you have any other questions about safe drinking water in the canyon, contact the Backcountry Office on the North or South Rim.

   
What are some of the things I should know before I hike the Grand Canyon?

Rules to Remember When You Hike the Grand Canyon

There are several rules to remember when you hike the Grand Canyon in summer or winter.
• In the winter, the trails can be icy and dangerous.
• In the summer, the corridor trails are usually congested and dusty.
• Mules have the right-of-way on the trails, stand by and allow them to pass you by.
• NEVER attempt to hike rim-to-rim in one day.
• You'll need to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. If you hike the Bright Angel Trail, drinking water is available along the trail.
• Don't hike during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Find shade and rest as much as you can to avoid overheating.
• Eat often, and eat the right things, like carbohydrates and salty foods to conserve water.
• If you feel overheated, wet your shirt, your hat, and wear a wet bandanna around your neck.
If you follow these rules and don't try to overexert yourself with your hike, you should enjoy an excellent Grand Canyon experience.

   
Are there other hiking trails inside the Grand Canyon?

Hiking the Backcountry Trails at Grand Canyon

The only Grand Canyon trails that are regularly patrolled and maintained by the Park Service are the Bright Angel and the North and South Kaibab Trails. However, there are numerous other backcountry trails inside the canyon.

Backcountry permits are required for all these non-maintained trails, and hikers should understand the rigors of these trails before they start their hike. In fact, most experts recommend that hikers using these trails should be experienced Grand Canyon hikers before they attempt any of these backcountry trails.

Non-maintained trails are not maintained by the Park Service. That means if a storm washes out a section of trail, they won't fix it, and you'll have to find your way around the debris. It also means that hikers will need to carry their own food, water, and gear. There are a few seasonal springs on some of the backcountry trails, but most have no water and little or no shade.

Some of the most popular backcountry trails are the Grandview Trail, the Hermit Trail, the Tonto Trail, and the Clear Creek Trail. You can find out more information about these trails, where the trailheads are located, and what to expect on the trails at the National Park Service website.

   
What should I know about the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon?

The Bright Angel Trail

The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Grand Canyon. It's longer than the South Kaibab Trail, and that means it's not as steep as the Kaibab. The hardest parts of this trail are the switchbacks near the top, which are a grueling way to finish the hike, and the switchbacks down to the Colorado River.

There is also drinking water available along this trail (although you should still carry your own supply of water, too). There's a natural resting point at the oasis of Indian Gardens, where you'll find a campground, ranger station, shade, water, and a small creek. At the bottom of the canyon, near Phantom Ranch, is Bright Angel Campground.

The day hike trail to Plateau Point also leads off the Bright Angel Trail from Indian Gardens. Indian Gardens is about 4.5 miles down the Bright Angel Trail, and it takes about 2 hours to reach the area, and about 4.5 hours to hike back out from Indian Gardens.

There is a downside to the Bright Angel Trail. It's so popular; it's the most congested trail in the canyon. The mule trips all use the Bright Angel too, and there are several mule "watering holes" along the trail (use your imagination here), that are difficult to avoid. Mules tend to use the same spot to relieve themselves over and over, so these holes can get pretty rank. This trail to the river is also longer, and so it's a more time-consuming way to reach the river and Phantom Ranch.

If you're not in good shape, don't attempt to hike any of the trails in the canyon. Walk a few hundred feet below the rim, enjoy the view, and see how hard it is just to hike out that short distance. Then go for a walk along the rim, and leave the inner gorge to experienced hikers.

   
Why isn't it a good idea to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day?

Don't Hike Rim-to-Rim in One Day!

You'll see this information often during your trip to the Grand Canyon, but it pays to repeat it. Even if you're in tip-top shape, hiking the Grand Canyon is a rigorous venture. The most common victims of heat stroke and death in the Grand Canyon are young males under the age of 30. In fact, Park Service records show people die hiking the canyon each year. That's right, die.

Many people think they can hike rim-to-rim in one day. It's a painstaking 16-mile trek from the trailhead of the South Kaibab Trail at Yaki Point to the top of the Bright Angel Trail. In the summer, inner canyon daytime temperatures can reach 110 degrees or more. Many hikers do not carry enough water and food to make the hike, and many underestimate the physical conditioning the hike requires.

Ranger rescue occurs only if you have a medical emergency. Otherwise, you'll have to hike out of the canyon no matter what. In addition, it takes about twice as long to hike out as it does to hike down. Many people underestimate this time too, and literally push their bodies far beyond their physical limits.

Anyone who's hiked the Grand Canyon will tell you it's much harder than they first thought. Don't put your health and your life at risk. Hike responsibly, know your limits, and don't try to be Superman when you hike below the rim.

   
When do I need a backcountry hiking permit at the Grand Canyon?

Backcountry Hiking Permits

If you plan to spend the night below the rim of the Grand Canyon (except at Phantom Ranch), you'll need a backcountry hiking permit. You can apply for a backcountry permit by downloading a form online and then faxing or mailing it to the Backcountry Permit Office at the canyon, or you can apply in person.

You can apply for a permit up to four months prior to the date you'd like to hike the canyon. There is also an in-person waiting list for cancellations. You must be in attendance in the Backcountry office by 8 a. m. on the day you're hoping for a permit.

You can also add your name to a waiting list for a cancellation, but you still have to be present to apply for the waiting list. You can expect a wait of up to three days for a permit if you apply in person.

The permits cost $10, plus a fee of $5 per person camping per night. Permits can take three to six weeks to process, so you have to allow enough time for processing before your planned hike.

There are a limited number of permits issued for each area of the canyon because the number of people allowed below the rim at any one time is monitored. There may be times that the date you want is simply not available. For more information, contact the Backcountry Office at the Grand Canyon. (Offices are located on both the North and South Rims.)

   
What do I need to know about the Kaibab Trails at the Grand Canyon?

The North and South Kaibab Trails

The North and South Kaibab Trails connect at Phantom Ranch, and are the second most popular trails in the Grand Canyon. The South Kaibab Trail is more rigorous than the Bright Angel Trail. The trail is about 6.7 miles to the bridge crossing the Colorado River, and another 1.5 miles to Bright Angel Campground. The South Kaibab leaves the rim at Yaki Point. Shuttle busses are available to Yaki Point, as it is closed to all traffic.

The South Kaibab is steep, has no shade, and no drinking water other than at the trailhead. Most experienced hikers do not try to hike out of the canyon on the South Kaibab, it is simply too steep. There are no campgrounds along the South Kaibab, either; you have to hike all the way to the Colorado River to the Bright Angel Campground.

The North Kaibab Trail connects the North Rim to the Colorado River, and connects with the South Kaibab. It is very steep, but there is seasonal drinking water available along the trail. Hiking to the river takes twice as long as the South Rim trails, as the North Kaibab is 13.8 miles long. Cottonwood Campground is available about 7 miles below the rim on the trail. Remember, camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds along all these "corridor" trails.

   
What's a good trail to follow after the sun goes down in Grand Canyon?

Moonlight Rim Walk

One of the finest ways to enjoy the rim walk is to follow it from the park headquarters to the village on a moonlight night. It's easy to see the walk as it winds thorough the pinyon forest of the rim, while the canyon is bathed in shadow and light.

If you're lucky, you can see a lightening storm on the North Rim on your walk. Watching the lighting hit its target without the sound of booming thunder is an eerie and yet magical way to spend an evening.

You don't have to disappear inside when the sun goes down. Take a moonlit walk on a warm summer evening and you'll discover a whole other side to the Grand Canyon.

   
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Sherril Steele-Carlin
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