Anyone ever hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim?

[AzHadEnuf]

A few weeks ago an old friend of mine invited me to hike the Grand Canyon, Rim to Rim, straight through, he tells me 12 hours. We made our last warm up hike this morning.







It’s my first time, a little anxiety, a lot of excitement. Wondering if anyone here has done it and if you have what would you do differently.

[AzPaul]

I've done it a couple times, and I'll tell you, it's a long, long day.



. . . . . . . . and coming back the next day is even longer

My only advice, cut those toenails close and hit the trail as early as you can.

Good luck

[AzHadEnuf]

Thanks Paul, we have a 4:30am start on the South Rim, nails are cut! Hike back the next day...I’m definitely not there yet. Maybe next year.

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Thanks Paul, we have a 4:30am start on the South Rim, nails are cut! Hike back the next day...I’m definitely not there yet. Maybe next year.

First time, we went just the one way, starting from the north, coming south. Two years later, we got the bright idea of going south to north the first day, then north to south the next.

All I can say is, we never did it again

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

First time, we went just the one way, starting from the north, coming south. Two years later, we got the bright idea of going south to north the first day, then north to south the next.

All I can say is, we never did it again

I’d have to be 40years younger.

[FrmrHoss]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

First time, we went just the one way, starting from the north, coming south. Two years later, we got the bright idea of going south to north the first day, then north to south the next.

All I can say is, we never did it again

I've done a fair amount of hiking in the Grand Canyon but never done the rim to rim, but my wife and I definitely want to! Did you guys come up Bright Angel or South Kaibab? The latter seems even more brutal :)

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by FrmrHoss

I've done a fair amount of hiking in the Grand Canyon but never done the rim to rim, but my wife and I definitely want to! Did you guys come up Bright Angel or South Kaibab? The latter seems even more brutal :)

The Bright Angel is longer, about 2 miles longer, but there's water available in several places and lots of good shade. On the hike out, I'd rather travel lighter and go further but that's just me.

[FrmrHoss]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

The Bright Angel is longer, about 2 miles longer, but there's water available in several places and lots of good shade. On the hike out, I'd rather travel lighter and go further but that's just me.

Oh agree. I’ve always come up Bright Angel for that reason and have always shaken my head at the poor souls coming up S Kaibab while hiking down.


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[superdog]

I did the day hike.

Don’t remember which one. It was ages ago. But to the designated lookout spot. Insanely beautiful

Toughest physical thing I ever did. Down was a challenge. Up was torture. And I was young and in super shape.

[superdog]

Good luck.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by superdog

Good luck.

Thanks Seth!

[John07]

Good luck buddy. One of my bucket list items... and antelope canyon..

[ras47]

I did it in 1976, but on horseback.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by ras47

I did it in 1976, but on horseback.

Cool photo Ras. I give you a lot of credit. Being born and raised in northern jersey there is no way anyone could have talked me into getting on a mule down that trail. That looks more scary than walking the trail.

Also just heard 100% rain in the Canyon for Saturday.

[520Matt]

There was definitely some weather over the weekend (10/6-7). How was it?

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by 520Matt

There was definitely some weather over the weekend (10/6-7). How was it?

Was thinking about you guys this weekend, Ralph. Hope you didn't get weathered out.

[Bigblu10]

We flew over/in it via helicopter ride. No way I would hike it. You have to be in excellent shape and experienced. Need bananas for potassium also.

[SearChart]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

I would definitely love to run that route

[tyler1980]

if it was the medium canyon, i would consider it.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

I would definitely love to run that route

Show off (bet you could)

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Was thinking about you guys this weekend, Ralph. Hope you didn't get weathered out.

Originally Posted by SearChart

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

I would definitely love to run that route

Hey Paul, thanks for the thoughts. I’d forgotten about this thread. We hiked in cloud cover, thunder, lightning, lots of rain, crazy hail storms and finally snow on the hike out. 24.5 miles, 13hrs 22min Rim to Rim. I would not change a single step of the hike. Absolutely spectacular!

Bas, I met many many trail runners along the way. Most were going Rim to Rim, a few were going Rim to Rim to Rim. You guys are badass!











Need a watch shot.



20 miles done, our final rest stop before the last 4.5 miles up and out.



Already planning the trip next year, my son wants to go.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Hey Paul, thanks for the thoughts. I’d forgotten about this thread. We hiked in cloud cover, thunder, lightning, lots of rain, crazy hail storms and finally snow on the hike out. 24.5 miles, 13hrs 22min Rim to Rim. I would not change a single step of the hike. Absolutely spectacular!

Bas, I met many many trail runners along the way. Most were going Rim to Rim, a few were going Rim to Rim to Rim. You guys are badass!

Looks like an amazing hike, beautiful!
Sorry to hear you had such bad weather though.

[Chuckred]

Down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel in one (long) day a few years ago. One of the wonders of the world!

[Mick8moses]

I hiked down in, camped, and I hiked back out the next day.
Now that was 20 years ago. I would live to take my daughter and wife on this hike now.


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[marc2828]

Did R2R2R in 22hours. Not easy..trained for 6mos.

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[AzPaul]

Glad it went so well my brother
It truly is like no other place in the world.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by marc2828

Did R2R2R in 22hours. Not easy..trained for 6mos.

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Complete respect Marc, that’s impressive!

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Complete respect Marc, that’s impressive!

thanks. funny little story I will add...

When I was 12, with my older 14 and 18 year old brothers, we hiked down to Phantom Ranch in mid August. Our supplies were school backpacks, yodels, and marshmallow circus peanuts which fared poorly in 100 degree heat. We were supposed to stay over night. My oldest brother decided we should go back up in the same day. Hiking up at age 12, malnourished, blistered, and dehydrated and crying, my two older brothers called me a "pussy" from two switchbacks above me for several hours. Worst experience of my life.

Cut to 35 years later. 7 of us decide to train for R2R2R. Included in the group are my 2 older brothers. We all trained like crazy. I was determined to not fail. My two older brothers (50 and 54) were very cocky and not training or focusing on nutrition planning like me.

After hiking from South Rim to North Rim in 11 hours, 5 people in our group quit (including my 2 brothers). Only myself and my childhood best friend went back....the rest took the 2pm shuttle. We made it back at 2:07am. The last 2 miles up was like walking on glass barefoot carrying an elephant. I refrained from calling them "pussys" , but they know I was thinking it.

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by marc2828

thanks. funny little story I will add...

When I was 12, with my older 14 and 18 year old brothers, we hiked down to Phantom Ranch in mid August. Our supplies were school backpacks, yodels, and marshmallow circus peanuts which fared poorly in 100 degree heat. We were supposed to stay over night. My oldest brother decided we should go back up in the same day. Hiking up at age 12, malnourished, blistered, and dehydrated and crying, my two older brothers called me a "pussy" from two switchbacks above me for several hours. Worst experience of my life.

Cut to 35 years later. 7 of us decide to train for R2R2R. Included in the group are my 2 older brothers. We all trained like crazy. I was determined to not fail. My two older brothers (50 and 54) were very cocky and not training or focusing on nutrition planning like me.

After hiking from South Rim to North Rim in 11 hours, 5 people in our group quit (including my 2 brothers). Only myself and my childhood best friend went back....the rest took the 2pm shuttle. We made it back at 2:07am. The last 2 miles up was like walking on glass barefoot carrying an elephant. I refrained from calling them "pussys" , but they know I was thinking it.

Props to you
. . . . . only I wouldn't have refrained

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by marc2828

thanks. funny little story I will add...

When I was 12, with my older 14 and 18 year old brothers, we hiked down to Phantom Ranch in mid August. Our supplies were school backpacks, yodels, and marshmallow circus peanuts which fared poorly in 100 degree heat. We were supposed to stay over night. My oldest brother decided we should go back up in the same day. Hiking up at age 12, malnourished, blistered, and dehydrated and crying, my two older brothers called me a "pussy" from two switchbacks above me for several hours. Worst experience of my life.

Cut to 35 years later. 7 of us decide to train for R2R2R. Included in the group are my 2 older brothers. We all trained like crazy. I was determined to not fail. My two older brothers (50 and 54) were very cocky and not training or focusing on nutrition planning like me.

After hiking from South Rim to North Rim in 11 hours, 5 people in our group quit (including my 2 brothers). Only myself and my childhood best friend went back....the rest took the 2pm shuttle. We made it back at 2:07am. The last 2 miles up was like walking on glass barefoot carrying an elephant. I refrained from calling them "pussys" , but they know I was thinking it.

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Props to you
. . . . . only I wouldn't have refrained

Great story. I would have mailed them a postcard from Phantom Rannch on the way back calling them Pussies.