Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike in One Day

Hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is an amazing adventure and one of the best hikes in the United States. It should not be undertaken without a lot of training though and never in the heat of the summer. This video highlights our trip to hike rim to rim at the Grand Canyon in one day and I made it to show people what the area looks like, especially for those who may never actually want to hike it. This 24-mile trek was a truly amazing one and I hope you enjoy the video.

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[Melinda]

when I was 23, I’m 68 now, I hiked the Grand Canyon over 3 days, it’s a memory I have always carried with me. I really enjoyed your video.

[timothyrowland]

I'm an American ESL teacher in South Korea. I've used this video in my classes several times. You speak clearly, and it is easy for YouTube's CC function to transcribe your speaking. Thanks for the quality film.

[audisnewbeginning]

My Dad was a dentist in the 70's while he was in collage he hike this trail with my uncles and his buddies. He fell in love with the life at the bottom of the Canyon. I still have photos of him and my uncles decked out in 70's tank tops and.ripped jeans standing under the falls. When my Dad graduated with his dental degree and he became a D.D.S had a practice in Scottsdale and returned to the bottom of the Canyon twice a year to provide free Dental services to the Tribal community living at the bottom of the Canyon. He adored the community and the area, would lug down most of his needed equipment on his back and on the backs of burrows and donkeys spend 10 days or so doing check up cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals and basic health care. He made impressions for those needing partials or Dentures. Then he would return 2 weeks later to deliver and fit them to whomever needed them that year. He would also go anytime during the year except when snow ❄ closed the trail to answer any emergency dental needs that arise. Sometimes he would bring my brother and me down on his annual trek and we'd spend 10 days swimming in the aqua green falls, and running around the canyon exploring the Canyon Floor with all the towns kids imagining we were explorer's. Discovering hidden caves with Tribal pictographs painted on the walls by our new friends ancestors, swimming in hidden clear aqua pools, hearing the enthralling stories about the creation of the Canyon, how the tribe was lead there to settle and the numerous folklore and historical stories under a sky filled with stars, , meteor showers by firelight captivated us, , learning to forage and fish was absolutely magical. We were explorer's discovering a magical oasis hidden thousands of feet below the Grand Canyon. It was and still is a magical place.
We lost my father in 2014. Some of his ashes are buried by my father's lifelong friends and patients in the communities burial grounds at the bottom of the canyon. As much as we miss my Dad and the kids miss their Papa 🤠 We know he is at peace in place that grabbed his heart I the 70's and never let go. I highly suggest if you get the chance book a camping trip down there. The list to get approved for the trip can be a year or longer. Nows a good time since the Park trips are starting to reopen and allow applications for permits is the shortest wait time it been in decades . If approved you may hike down the Bright Angel trail, or if physically unable to make the hike you can book donkey or burrow 🐎 transport both to and from your campsites. No tents needed there are primitive cabins, you can spend 3 to 5 days in the Canyon. There are many tour companies you can book excursions with. However I encourage you to avoid their outrageous fees for obtaining your permit for you and their expensive transport and excursions fees. Instead I urge you to obtain your permit and schedule your animal transport (if needed) thru the Grand Canyon Park rangers and Foresty service website. Then request to book and schedule the multiple excursions that other expensive tour companies that overcharge tourists offer thru the actual tribe living at the Canyon offer. Things like Caving, Ancient tribal Pictograph hikes, canoeing trips, white water trips, outdoor survival skills and cooking classes, spear and arrow hunting and fishing, foraging, pottery, basket weaving, beading(create beads with porcupine quils, clay, and bones, pottery making, courses on natural dying cloth with native flora and the distinct Red Rock Dirt, Astronomy, and so much more many of which the tour groups can't provide because only tribe can are available at a quarter or less of the price, are authentic historical Tribal practices that the tribe uses to survive and in their current daily lives. Also 100% of your excursion fees paid go straight to the Tribal community not a for profit travel company. Also the permit fees paid to the forest service(unlike the travel companies) go directly (100% of the permit fee you pay) to the Maintenance of the Grand Canyon National Park, trail maintenance, GCNP employees housing and payroll, road and public picnic areas parking areas, restrooms, , hydration stations, forrest, park, flora, fauna, wildlife, historic buildings and ancient Tribal art, archeology sites care a d preservation, First aid, , and GCNP Fire Dept staff equipment and Wildland/ volunteer firefighters, search and rescue teams and canines. Also if you really want to experience the true feeling with life above and below the Canyon consider booking some of these experiences in local communities like William's before or after you trip down to the bottom of the Canyon. A tour into the Grand Canyon Caverns cave system you can also eat lunch or dinner at the Cafe inside the cave. Or book a overnight inside the only hotel room inside a cave in the USA 🇺🇸. Visit the gorgeous, quaint town Of William's, AZ. Visit the Grand Canyon Deer farm and hand feed hundreds of local deer who due to accidental injure, or health limitations can no longer survive Independently in theForrest, so a local family heard those dears numbers were so large they were actuallybeing destroyed as there was not a facilityable to care for that many, so the family created a sanctuary to provide lifelong care and quality of life for the deer that used to be destroyed because they were not able to be rehabbed and released back into the wild by the State, also buy a ticket and hop on to the historic Grand Canyon Railroad trains and Railway for a scenic round-trip route thru the Forrest, bluffs, mountains, an rim of the Grand Canyon and surrounding area The historic Trains have been lovingly and historically acutely restored and maintained by the GCRR staff, engineers, and volunteers. If you visit during fall/early winter kiddos and adults alike can Don thier pajamas and buy a ticket to the North Pole when the train is transformed into the Polar Express. Enjoy a magical journey to the North Pole, your souvenir train ticket gets magically stamped with a message, Elves will tell the story of the Polar express on your journey too the Northport while 🍪cookies, milk, and hot cocoa with giant marshmallows are served, once you arrive and view the North Poles Father Christmas and elves town, villages, and the magical reindeer and the stables, you hop back on the train for goodie bags, hot apple cider and more yummy treats, as the elves have a holiday song sing and dance along, make sure you keep an ear out forsleigh elks. Santa lands on the train and climbs into the moving train 😉, he then takes photos will each child and family, listens to your Christmas 🎄or holiday wishes, then presents each child with a large silver metal magical working sleigh ell on a vintage red velvet ribbon tied with a beautiful bow, as well as a tag attached that explains how to use it and the significance of the bell and how it contains pure magical Christmas Spirit that can be heard all the way to the North Pole whenever your child rings the bell. If you or your kiddo bring your copy(or purchase one at any store or Amazon) of the Polar Expeess, 🎅Santa, the elves, and even the train drivers will sign the book and write personal messages in within the pages to you and you child to discover when you get home and read the book together. Those are just a few of the memorable one of a kind curated experiences you and your family can book on any trip to visit, explore, or camp down at the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding local Hamlets. Sorry this post is so long, it's just an amazing magical part of my State that holds uncountable extraordinary memories and experiences for my family that started with my Dad in the 1970' s and still continue with my own family today. Whether your single, dating, or in a serious relationship, with or without kiddos orfurnaces, even if your retired please consider visiting our tiny corner in the world and experience some adventures, magical hidden places, and create some amazing memories of your own. I sincerely doubt you'd regret it.

[suec]

I'm a little old lady getting my vicarious thrills out of what you guys are doing. Thank you.

[scottweber]

I did this hike when I was 12 carrying a pack the 50% of my body weight. 1 day to the bottom 2 days at the bottom and then 2 day hike back to the top. Was an amazing trip that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

[papajon]

Did this October 9 2023 from North Rim Lodge to Bright Angel trailhead. 25.75 mile day in 12 hours. Unforgettable experience, my top hike thus far…

[jencypetersen]

This is ABSOLUTELY without a doubt my favorite hike. I've done it twice, started about 5:00 in the morning and finished in 9-ish hours, and ABSOLUTELY want to go back and do it a third time when I'm 21. Getting to see that first sunrise and realizing the absolute MAGNITUDE of the canyon and the task you are undertaking is a moment I'll never forget. Ever single rest stop and water station is burned into my memory. I really miss it, even though I almost died the first time of an asthma attack - come prepared, kids. That second half is a killer, and will play tricks on your mind. Walking up to the last four miles and realizing you still have an entire cliff fo hike up can be quite discouraging. But keep putting one step in from of the other, and don't think about it too much, and as soon as you see the end of that trail, you'll feel like it was all worth it.

[sandramorey]

I always meant to do this hike, but never could take off work as a young person. Then as an old person I developed arthritis in my back, ankles and knees. It progressed fast and so I
couldn't do this hike at all. Now that Iam quarantining indoors, I am taking all the hikes I always wanted to do on You Tube. Thank you so much for doing these and taking me along.
I've done some fabulous hikes in my day, but these are the ones I missed. I'm also scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef and free diving. Much appreciated!

[tomk]

Did this hike solo at age 53, mid September. Temperature at North Rim start was 50°, Phantom Ranch was 101° in the shade. Rested and did sightseeing on the South Rim the second day and hiked back across the third day via South Kaibab Trail. Epic hikes. Don't underestimate this hike, know your limitations. I wasn't worried about soloing, these cross-canyon trails are well traveled and patrolled. Also, there are plenty of potable water sources, just ensure from backcountry office they are working before you go.
My only regret for you guys is that you left so early you missed out on a lot of beautiful scenery the first three hours.

[brand]

Thanks You for this man..I was diagnosed with MS a few years ago, and I realize a little more every day that my goals like this will never happen..However, through you, and your camera I can still get a piece of it...May you have all the best life has to offer..

[jackbelk]

WOW! It sure has changed in 58 years! (The infrastructure, not the canyon) I did Bright Angel to the Ranch to spend two days, then back up to the old cloth-topped, hard--sided cabins and a drive back to Florida. No tunnels then and the Silver Bridge was an artist conception drawing. Meeting mules in the narrow places was exciting!

[galardmills]

Must have taken a whole lot of extra effort to make that many stops to shoot video, smile, and especially to talk!
Thank you!

[elgaatooo]

It was a great video, plus i appreciate that even after trekking 22 miles and being extremely exhausted, you still always had a smile on your face while talking to the camera ❤️

[tombenson]

I did the exact same hike when I was 18. The single hardest thing I've ever done, just exactly as beautiful as this video. Yes, people constantly must be rescued because of heat exhaustion!

[alibaba]

Just want to say a huge "Thank You" for this video. I was at the South Rim about 2 years ago looking across to the North Rim and stood in awe. I wish I could have just walked a couple of miles into the canyon on that day as I visited Bright Angel Lodge, but with being on a day trip from Las Vegas I just didn't have the time. You have made me, a man from Wales, in the UK a very happy individual showing me exactly what it's like at the bottom. Cheers....

[catospanky]

Thank you for this vicarious trip. You kept your cheery smile till the 1.5 mile rest stop. After that you kept your smile, but the cheery part faded a bit. At 77 years old with a bad back, I may have missed my window for this hike, so I'm so glad you took me along.

[SongbirdGLS]

Of all the videos I've watched tonight, this is my favorite. Took my grandson to Palo Duro Canyon in TX while on a 10 day, 2000 mile road trip from TN to see my Marine son in Yuma, AZ and then head to different parts of California. What a blast!! I drove the whole way there and back, since my companion was only 7-1/2. We stayed in a couple of hotels along the way there and back. Palo Duro is a mini version of the Grand Canyon and it was spectacular. Next on the Bucket List is to go to the real Grand Canyon and this gave me some ideas!!

[wayned]

I was a teenager (14) in the early '60s and walked to the bottom from the south side with my brother and Dad. Then went back up the same day. After getting to the top I waited for my Dad and brother. After two hours I went back down looking for them and found them at the 3 mile rest stop and both had bad leg cramps. We all walked together to the 1.5 mile rest stop and I went ahead to meet my Mom who was waiting at the top. Three hours later they finally appeared at the top. Long day but well worth it for me anyway, because of the views. I ran cross country track so it was fairly easy for me. Thanks for the video, it brought back memories.

[kennyle]

I did this same hike on October 14-15. I parked my car on the north rim after an 8 hour drive from so cal. I started the hike at 7 am (which was literally freezing: 27 degrees F) on the North Rim trailhead. I hiked down to the Phantom Ranch (which was scorching at 95 degrees F; almost a 70 degree difference from the North Rim), spent the night, and then started my hike at about 6 AM the next day. I took the Bright Angel trail back to the Bright Angel lodge to catch the 1:30 PM shuttle back to the North Rim. After that, I did the 8 hour drive back home and got back in the wee hours of the morning on October 16. It was quite the adventure.

[lucykennedy]

I've done it twice. Once at 47 years of age South to North. Then at 57. 57 was so much harder - North to South plus my left knee was more of a mess than I was aware of. Surgery the following summer. Hoping for 67!! Oh - and we camped - no one day in and out for us! Well done guys!!