Considering Hiking the Grand Canyon?
If you are considering hiking the Grand Canyon, I have some suggestions as to how to prep.
First off this is a BIG deal. For one thing you are venturing into one of the Natural Wonders of the World. As soon as you see it for the first time, you will understand why it is called that. Pictures do not do it justice.
I am currently training and prepping for my 6th visit into the Big Ditch as some affectionately call it.
I do not pretend to be an expert at much. But I can tell you what I’ve learned from my own experiences.
My first time in was a 3-day backpacking trip that went from North to South Rim. This was an incredible trip and I would recommend it to anyone having the time to do this over hiking in and out in one day anytime. There is just a ton of stuff to discover inside the guts of it. It’s hard to find the right superlative. Life changing would be a good one. (Thanks Barry!)
What I want to discuss here is how you should prepare for hiking the South Rim in one day. This is what I have done the most. There are a few moving parts that need to be dealt with. We will discuss lodging, training, and general prep.
Lodging
If you are able – the ideal spot to book a room is at the Bright Angel Inn. These rooms aren’t cheap, and they are very rustic. They are so high in demand that a reservation a year in advance is recommended if you can. The advantage of the location is that your room will be about 10 yards from the trailhead that you end your hike on. And that room and shower are bliss after the long day you’ve experienced. If you can’t get a room there, the good news is that there is plenty other lodges inside and right outside the park. Many times, I have stayed in the town of Tusayan. It is right outside the park and has several chain hotels to pick from.
The Ideal Route
OK. So know this. The ideal route to take is by hiking down the South Kaibab Trail (SKT), walk along the Colorado River. Take a one mile one way detour back to Phantom Ranch. Then after a respite, hike up and out following the Bright Angel Trail (BAT). Total mileage 17.5 miles. The last 9.9 being uphill with an elevation gain of 4300 ft. This is what we call FUN!!!
I’ll explain more later about the route choice but because of starting at SKT you will have to use a shuttle to get there. This trailhead is NOT accessible by cars, only shuttle. Being aware of the shuttle schedule is a must. There are 2 different shuttle lines that go there and you will want to make contact at the ranger’s station, phone # 928-638-7875 to confirm the schedule. Typically, they start at 6am. This is key because your start hiking time determines your end time. Typically, we have been on the trail by 630-45am and I have seen hikers in my group end as early as 3 and as late as 7pm.
It is a long and spectacular day.
Now. As far as the route choice. The SKT is steeper than the BAT. And more importantly There is NO water on the SKT and there is on the BAT. Beginning at Indian Gardens which is about halfway up and then every 1.5 miles after there is water available. This matters, because water = weight. And knowing that you can refill at different spots means that you don’t have to carry as much if you didn’t have water available on the trail. By the way there is also water at Phantom Ranch.
Speaking of Phantom Ranch. Cutting through this area is the Bright Angel Creek. Which is a great spot to stop take off your shoes and cool your feet off in the water. (tip: bring a small towel with you to dry your feet before starting your hike up the BAT) Remember wet feet in a hiking boot is a good opportunity for blisters to occur.
Training
Ok. So how do you prepare for this. It is really hard to mimic the elevation gain. Ideally your training hikes have an elevation gain of at least 1000 ft. Depending on where you live this might mean hiking a mountain multiple times during a workout so that you can get the elevation. Distance wise you will want to get at least a couple of hikes in of 12-15 miles before the main event. The more the better. And that is meant for the elevation and distance. Currently I’m 3 weeks out and last week I did a 15 mile hike with 3000 ft elevation gain. I’m feeling pretty good about my conditioning with that hike done. Also it would be wise to begin your training at least 6 months prior to the big day, The more time on your feet the better. Even if you know how to push through discomfort and pain in other endurance events. Training specifically for this event will determine how much you will suffer after you complete it.
Time of the Year
This can be critical. Know that the temperature at the bottom of the Canyon can be the same as it is in Phoenix. The first time I was down there was the 1st weekend of October. When we hit Phantom Ranch the temperature was 108. So, the best time to do this hike is actually in the Spring or Fall. This is also why lodging sells out during these times as well.
Recommended Gear
Below is a list of gear recommended to bring with you on this hike –
- Water – Hydration Bladder. For the Canyon Hike a gallon to start. There won’t be any opportunities to refill until the 2nd half of the hike
- Food – Lunch, Bars, Gels, Fruit
- Hat & Bandana
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Trail Runners or Hiking Boots
- Extra pair of Socks
- Walking Sticks (if preferred)
- Trash Bags
- Camera
Optional
- Kleenex
- Toilet Paper
- Sanitation Wipes
Nutrition
This is NOT the time to try anything new. Bring something that you can bring in your pack that is not perishable. Some fruit, jerky, cut up vegetables, a sandwich. Food that you can eat while you are moving. Also, along with water it would be a good idea to bring some electrolytes with you. I personally use Nuun tablets. They easily mix with water and can give you the boost you need especially as you’re coming up the Bright Angel Trail. I’ve seen some hikers just rely on water and it wasn’t enough. Can you say BONK?!
That should wrap it up. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at karl@longevitypt.com